Beverages Shelf Life
Shelf-stable drinks are about quality rather than safety: they go flat, stale or oxidized long before they become unsafe. Refrigerated juices, smoothies and anything with dairy are different and follow a strict 7–10 day clock once opened. Spirits last indefinitely; opened wine lasts days.
16 foods · times shown are for the most common state of each food; tap a food for every state, storage tips and spoilage signs.
Alcohol
| Food | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beer Unopened |
6–8 months | Not recommended | 4–6 months |
| Champagne & Sparkling Wine Opened |
1–3 days | Not recommended | Not recommended |
| Irish Cream Liqueur Opened |
6 months | Not recommended | 6 months |
| Liquor (Spirits) Opened |
1–2 years | Not recommended | 1–2 years |
| Wine Opened |
3–5 days | 3 months | 1–3 days |
Coffee & tea
| Food | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coffee Brewed |
3–4 days | 1–2 months | 12 hours |
| Kombucha Opened |
1 week | Not recommended | Not recommended |
| Tea Brewed |
3–4 days | 2–3 months | 8 hours |
Juice
| Food | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Juice Opened |
7–10 days | 8–12 months | Not safe |
| Coconut Water Opened |
1–2 days | 1–2 months | Not safe |
| Lemonade Homemade |
5–7 days | 3–4 months | Not safe |
| Orange Juice Opened |
7–10 days | 8–12 months | Not safe |
| Smoothies Homemade |
1–2 days | 2–3 months | Not safe |
Soft drinks
| Food | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bottled Water Opened |
3–5 days | Not recommended | 1–2 days |
| Protein Shakes Prepared |
1–2 days | Not recommended | Not safe |
| Soda Unopened |
6–9 months | Not recommended | 6–9 months |
Not safe = perishable: no more than 2 hours at room temperature. Not recommended = possible, but quality suffers. Freezer times are best-quality windows at 0°F (−18°C).