Vivian Marlowe
Alcohol does not necessarily need to be kept in the dark, but it is recommended to store it in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight to maintain its quality and flavour. Prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause the alcohol to heat up and spoil, resulting in undesirable flavours and a loss of colour. This is due to a chemical reaction between the alcohol compounds and light, particularly UV rays, which can degrade the quality of the alcohol over time. Additionally, temperature plays a significant role in alcohol preservation, with higher temperatures accelerating oxidation and evaporation, further emphasising the importance of storing alcohol in a cool, dark location.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Does alcohol need to be kept in the dark? | Yes, alcohol should be kept in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight. |
| Reason | Prolonged exposure to light can cause the alcohol to degrade in quality, alter its flavour, and cause it to evaporate more quickly. |
| Alcohol that should be kept in the fridge | Fortified wines (such as vermouth, port, and sherry), wine-based aperitifs, cream liqueurs, and wine-based alcohols with under 15% alcohol. |
| Alcohol that can be stored at room temperature | Spirits with a cork top, spirits with high ABV, and liqueurs made from a spirit base. |
| Other storage tips | Bottles should be stored upright, and properly sealed to prevent oxidation and alteration of taste. |
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What You'll Learn
- Alcohol exposed to sunlight can increase in temperature and evaporate faster
- UV rays from the sun can bleach and alter the colour of alcohol
- High temperatures can cause alcohol to oxidise and change flavour
- Fortified wines, wine-based aperitifs and liqueurs are best stored in the fridge
- Opened bottles of alcohol with cork tops should be stored upright
Alcohol exposed to sunlight can increase in temperature and evaporate faster
Direct sunlight can also cause the alcohol to degrade in quality and change colour. For example, researchers from Bacardi found that when exposed to sunlight for 15 days, bourbon lost 10% of its colour, and a bottle of Scotch lost 40% of its colour. Similarly, a user on Reddit reported that sunlight caused a noticeable change in the flavour of their alcohol.
To prevent alcohol from degrading, it is recommended to store bottles of liquor in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight or drastic temperature fluctuations. This is especially important for beer, as light can react with compounds in hops that flavour and bitter the beer, causing it to become "skunky". It is also important to store bottles away from radiators, windowsills, or other sources of heat.
Some types of alcohol, such as wine-based or low alcohol (<15% ABV) beverages, are more sensitive to temperature and sunlight and should be stored in the fridge. This includes fortified wines such as vermouth, port, and sherry, as well as cream-based liqueurs like Baileys Irish Cream. By contrast, spirits with high alcohol content, such as brandy, can be stored at room temperature and will remain stable for decades if stored in a cool, dark place.
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UV rays from the sun can bleach and alter the colour of alcohol
While most spirits have enough alcohol content to be stored at room temperature, some items, such as fortified wines and cream-based liqueurs, need to be kept in the fridge. However, it is important to note that alcohol should be kept away from direct sunlight.
For alcohol stored in clear containers, it is recommended to keep the bottles out of direct sunlight. Modern windows filter out most UV light and heat, but it is still recommended to store alcohol away from windows as a precaution.
To prevent UV rays from damaging alcohol, it can be stored in a cool, dark location. Additionally, using a glass mason jar or a blacked-out UV-ray jar can help extend the shelf life of the alcohol by preventing oxidation.
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High temperatures can cause alcohol to oxidise and change flavour
Alcoholic beverages are best stored in a cool, dark place, like a designated liquor cabinet, away from direct sunlight or drastic temperature fluctuations. While most spirits have enough alcohol content to be stored at room temperature, high temperatures can cause the alcohol to expand and evaporate more quickly.
Storing alcohol in a warm place can cause the liquor to oxidise more quickly and change flavours over time. As a result of oxidation, the smokiness from peated whisky, for example, can be removed. The smaller the amount of alcohol in the bottle, the more it will be subject to oxidation.
The effect of temperature on alcohol depends on the ingredients. Researchers from Bacardi showed that sun exposure can be even more detrimental to liquor than warmth. When researchers left bottles exposed to the sun for 15 days, bourbon lost 10% of its colour, and a bottle of scotch lost 40% of its colour in that time.
While UV rays do not directly spoil liquor, extended exposure to the sun has a similar effect to storing alcohol at high temperatures, speeding up the oxidation process. Therefore, alcohol should be stored in a dark place, away from direct sunlight, to prevent the degradation of quality and flavour.
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Fortified wines, wine-based aperitifs and liqueurs are best stored in the fridge
Alcoholic beverages should be stored in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight. While the alcohol content in drinks acts as a preservative, protecting them from oxidation or the development of "off" flavours, certain compounds in alcoholic drinks are sensitive to light and heat.
Fortified wines, wine-based aperitifs, and liqueurs are best stored in the fridge, especially once opened. Fortified wines, such as sherry, port, Madeira, and Marsala, have a higher alcohol content than unfortified wines, which keeps them good for longer. However, storing them in the fridge will keep the flavour better for longer—up to a couple of months, with sweeter varieties lasting longer than dry varieties.
Wine-based aperitifs, such as Lillet, Cocchi Americano, and Campari, also benefit from being stored in the fridge. Aperitifs are often wine-based or have delicate herbal flavours, which can be preserved by refrigeration. Aperitifs like Lillet Rouge can last up to a month in the fridge, while the Blanc and Rosé styles will only last a few weeks.
Most liqueurs have a high enough alcohol content and sugar content to last a long time at room temperature, especially if they are well sealed. However, some liqueurs, such as cream liqueurs, benefit from being stored in the fridge.
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Opened bottles of alcohol with cork tops should be stored upright
It is generally recommended to store opened bottles of alcohol with cork tops upright. This is because, if stored on their side, the alcohol may come into contact with the cork, causing it to disintegrate over time and potentially leak. Corks may also fail, resulting in leaks, or tainting the flavour of the spirit.
Upright storage also prevents oxidation. As temperatures rise, alcohol begins to expand and can evaporate more quickly. While it won't hurt you healthwise to consume, storing alcohol in a warm place can cause the liquor to oxidize more quickly and change flavours over time.
Additionally, direct sunlight can degrade the quality of alcohol. UV rays won't spoil liquor, but extended exposure to the sun can speed up the oxidation process, causing the alcohol to evaporate faster and the colour to fade.
Therefore, to maintain the quality and flavour of opened bottles of alcohol with cork tops, it is best to store them upright and away from direct sunlight.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, alcohol should be stored in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight.
Direct sunlight can cause the alcohol to heat up and speed up the oxidation process, altering the taste of the liquor.
Fortified wines such as vermouth, port, and sherry, as well as cream-based liqueurs like Baileys Irish Cream, need to be kept cold. Wine-based aperitifs with low ABV, and bottles of liquor with less than one-third full should also be kept in the fridge.
Prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause the alcohol to evaporate more quickly, and the colour, flavour, and potency of the liquor may change over time.
No, spirits with a high ABV such as rum, tequila, and brandy can be stored almost indefinitely when kept in a cool, dark place.
