Theo Nash
The freezing point of alcohol depends on several factors, including the type of alcohol, its proof, and the atmospheric pressure. Generally, alcohol freezes around -100°C to -150°C, but this varies depending on the specific alcohol. For example, ethanol freezes at around -114°C, while methanol freezes at approximately -97.6°C. The freezing point also increases if there is water in the alcohol, with alcoholic beverages typically freezing between the freezing points of water (0°C) and pure ethanol (-114°C). The higher the proof of an alcoholic beverage, the lower its freezing point will be, with high-proof alcohols not freezing in home freezers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Freezing point of ethanol | −114°C, −173°F, or 159 K |
| Freezing point of methanol | −97.6°C, −143.7°F, or 175.6 K |
| Freezing point of water | 0°C, 32°F |
| Freezing point of alcoholic beverages | Between the freezing point of water (0°C, 32°F) and that of pure ethanol (−114°C, −173°F) |
| Freezing point of high-proof alcohol | Below the temperature of most freezers |
| Freezing point of 24 proof (12% alcohol) liquor | −6.7°C, 20°F |
| Freezing point of 64 proof (32% alcohol) liquor | −23.33°C, −10°F |
| Freezing point of 84 proof (42% alcohol) liquor | −34.44°C, −30°F |
| Freezing point of beer (pilsner, lager, porter, and cider) | 4%-6% alcohol |
| Freezing point of stouts | 5%-10% alcohol |
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What You'll Learn
Pure ethanol alcohol freezes at -114°C
The freezing point of alcoholic beverages will be somewhere between the freezing points of water and pure ethanol, depending on their alcohol content. Beer, wine, and liqueurs will freeze if left in a freezer for an extended period, while spirits with a proof higher than 50 will not freeze in a conventional freezer.
The freezing point of beer can vary depending on its alcohol content, but it typically freezes at about -4 to -6°C or 28°F. Wine tends to have a slightly higher alcohol content than beer, so it freezes at a slightly lower temperature of around -4 to -6°C or 23°F. Low-proof liquors like Irish cream are slightly more resistant to freezing and will usually freeze around -6 to -3°C or 22°F. Mid-range liquors like Bacardi Razz or Fireball will freeze at a much lower temperature of about -27°C or -10°F.
The presence of other molecules, such as tannins or sugar, in addition to the ethanol or water, will also affect the exact freezing point of an alcoholic beverage.
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Alcoholic drinks have a higher freezing point than pure ethanol
The freezing point of pure ethanol alcohol is -173 °Fahrenheit (-114 °Celsius). However, alcoholic drinks contain more water than alcohol, which has a freezing point of 32 °Fahrenheit (0 °Celsius). Therefore, the freezing point of alcoholic beverages falls somewhere between the freezing points of water and pure ethanol.
The exact freezing point of an alcoholic drink depends on its alcohol by volume (ABV) or proof. The lower the alcohol content, the higher the freezing point. For instance, beer typically has an ABV between 3% and 12%, and freezes at around 28 °Fahrenheit (-2 °Celsius). Wine, which usually has a slightly higher ABV than beer, freezes at an average of 23 °Fahrenheit (-5 °Celsius).
Liquors with an ABV of 40 proof or higher will not freeze in a conventional freezer. For example, mid-range liquors like Bacardi Razz or Fireball (64 proof) freeze at around -10 °Fahrenheit (-23 °Celsius). Whiskeys and other barrel-aged spirits are rarely stored in freezers because their complex flavours are most noticeable at warmer temperatures. Vodka, on the other hand, can taste better when chilled, with an optimum temperature of around 32 °Fahrenheit for premium brands.
To make frozen treats with alcohol, such as poptails, spiked granitas, and ice cream, the amount of alcohol must be kept low. A ratio of 4-to-1 or lower for mixers to alcohol is recommended for ice pops and spiked granitas. For fruit sorbets, a solidly frozen dessert is not the goal, and liqueurs are often used to prevent them from freezing completely.
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Beer and wine will freeze in a standard freezer
Pure ethanol alcohol has an extremely low freezing point of -173°F (-114°C). However, alcoholic beverages contain a mixture of alcohol, water, and sometimes sugars and other additives, which means their freezing point is somewhere between that of pure alcohol and water. The freezing point of water is 32°F (0°C).
Beer and wine have significantly lower alcohol content than liquors, and will freeze in a standard freezer. The freezing point of beer and wine depends on their alcohol content, with lower alcohol content resulting in a higher freezing point. Most beers freeze at around 28°F (-2°C) and wines at around 15-20°F (-9 to -6°C) or 23°F (-5°C).
The water in beer and wine freezes before the alcohol, creating a slushy texture that can ruin the flavor. Beer and wine are bottled under pressure to maintain freshness and carbonation, and as water expands when it freezes, this can cause corks and caps to bulge or burst, glass to crack, and cans to explode. Beer and wine can be chilled in a freezer, but a timer should be set to avoid forgetting them.
To chill beer and wine faster, they can be wrapped in a wet paper towel and placed in the coldest part of the freezer. Chilling drinks in this way can create a fun party trick, as the super-cooled drinks will freeze solid almost instantly when the pressure is released or the bottle is knocked.
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Liquors with a proof higher than 50 will not freeze in a conventional freezer
The freezing point of alcoholic beverages depends on their alcohol content. Pure ethanol alcohol has a freezing point of -173 °F (-114 °C), whereas water freezes at 32 °F (0 °C). Since alcoholic beverages are a mixture of alcohol and water, their freezing point falls somewhere between these two temperatures. The exact freezing point of a beverage depends on its alcohol by volume (ABV) or proof: the lower the alcohol content, the higher the freezing point, and the quicker it will freeze.
The temperature of an average home freezer attached to a refrigerator is 0 °F (-18 °C), which is not cold enough to freeze an average bottle of 80-proof liquor. However, a chest freezer can get colder, and there is a chance that 80-proof liquor will freeze, although 100-proof liquor likely will not. Beer, wine, and liqueurs will freeze in a standard freezer over time, as they have significantly lower alcohol content than liquors.
When storing alcoholic beverages in the freezer, it is important to be cautious. While liquor is unlikely to freeze, beer and wine can freeze and cause the bottle or can to burst, creating a mess. Additionally, the water in alcoholic beverages expands as it freezes, which can cause corks and caps to bulge or crack glass bottles. Therefore, it is recommended to keep alcoholic beverages in a place where they will not be forgotten, especially during cold winter nights.
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Freezing alcohol affects its texture
The freezing point of alcohol depends on its type and the atmospheric pressure. Pure ethanol, or ethyl alcohol, freezes at around -114 °C (-173 °F or 159 K). However, alcoholic beverages are typically a mixture of alcohol and water, which raises the freezing point to somewhere between the freezing points of water (0 °C, 32 °F) and pure ethanol (−114 °C, −173 °F). This means that most alcoholic drinks will freeze in a standard freezer, with the exception of high-proof alcohol.
The freezing point of an alcoholic beverage is directly related to its alcohol content. Beer, wine, and low-proof liquors have a lower alcohol content and will freeze in a standard freezer. Beer typically freezes at around 28 °F (-1.7 °C), while wine freezes at an average of 23 °F (-4.4 °C). Low-proof liquors, such as Irish cream, are slightly more cold-resistant, freezing at around 22 °F (-5.5 °C). These low-proof beverages may develop a slushy texture when frozen, altering their texture.
Mid-range liquors, such as Bacardi Razz or Fireball, fall into the 64-proof category and will freeze at around −10 °F (−23 °C). Liquors with a proof higher than 50 will not freeze in a conventional freezer, which includes most hard spirits such as vodka, tequila, whiskey, and gin. These spirits can be safely stored in a freezer without the worry of them freezing.
Freezing alcohol does not ruin it, but it can affect its texture. Low-proof beverages may partially solidify, altering their texture but not spoiling the alcohol. Frozen cocktails, such as margaritas, piña coladas, daiquiris, and mudslides, are designed to be consumed in a slushy, icy texture. These cocktails typically have a lower alcohol content than standard cocktails to ensure proper freezing.
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Frequently asked questions
The freezing point of alcohol depends on the type of alcohol and the atmospheric pressure. Generally, alcohol freezes around -100°C or -150°F.
The freezing point of ethanol, or ethyl alcohol (C2H6O), is around -114°C, -173°F, or 159 Kelvin.
Yes, the freezing point of alcohol changes when mixed with water or other chemicals. The freezing point will be higher than pure alcohol but lower than that of water.
