It’s not uncommon that people would find an old bottle of alcohol in their home storage now and then. One of them could be Malibu Rum.
This coconut-flavored liqueur is best to mix into colorful, refreshing summer drinks. Unless you live in the tropics, your Malibu Rum is probably back to storage when summer is over.
Now, you’re questioning if the liqueur will be okay to use for next summer. Does Malibu rum need refrigeration? Does Malibu Rum go bad?
If you are curious to find out the proper storage for Malibu Rum, it’s shelf life, or whether it goes bad, read on! This article is what you’re looking for.
What Is Malibu Rum?
Before we go further, you probably have already known what Malibu Rum is. But if you haven’t, Malibu Rum is a liqueur and not to be mistaken with “pure” rum which is hard liquor. For our article about rum, check here.
Malibu Rum is a liqueur brand own by Pernod Ricard. This liqueur is popular, particularly in Europe and America.
Malibu Rum is made from Caribbean rum and comes in a variety of flavors. The original (also the most popular) is flavored with coconut extract. Other flavors include passion fruit, pineapple, and lime. It’s your go-to-ingredient to prepare refreshing summer drinks!
Unlike rum that has a minimum alcohol content of 40%, Malibu rum has an average 18% to 21% alcohol by volume. Only one variety has 35% alcohol, which is Malibu Black.
How To Store Malibu Rum
Storage guidelines for Malibu Rum are relatively similar to other liquor and spirits. Keep it in a dry, dark, cool place, away from sources of direct sunlight and heat. A cellar would be a perfect place, but your pantry or cupboard is great as well.
If you’re asking whether Malibu Rum needs refrigeration after opening the bottle, that’s totally fine, but it’s not necessary. The flavor may stay fresh longer and you’ll always get it chilled whenever you need it.
If you live in a warmer climate or your pantry is not cool enough, keeping it in the fridge would be smart to do. The same goes if you plan to use it again the next summer. If that’s not the case, similar storage conditions as unopened bottles are good enough.
Either way, always make sure that the bottle is tightly closed. If you use a pourer, never leave it on the bottle for long term storage. It allows air to get into the bottle and makes the quality drop much faster than you think.
If you are left with a small amount in the bottle and you’re not sure when you will use it, consider transferring the liqueur into a smaller bottle. This little change will slow down the oxidation and evaporation that deteriorate the flavor.
Can You Freeze Malibu Rum?
It’s not necessary at all to freeze Malibu Rum as it can be kept well at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
How Long Does Malibu Rum Last?
According to its official website, Malibu Rum has 2 years of shelf life when it’s unopened. It won’t go bad instantly after this period.
As long as you give good care, an unopened bottle should stay good for years to come. Be sure that the seal is perfectly intact and no signs of impurities or spoilage are spotted.
The flavor and taste are the best to enjoy within one year after opening. Generally, it should be fine to use it after a year. But, as with most food products, when it’s past its prime, you will probably notice a change in flavor or taste. That’s totally up to you whether to keep it or toss it.
How Can You Tell If Malibu Rum Has Gone Bad?
In comparison to other hard liquors (such as vodka, rum, whiskey), Malibu rum is lower in alcohol content. Although going bad is a very rare occurrence, the flavor degrades faster than hard liquors, particularly after a bottle is opened.
Technically, Malibu rum is very hard to spoil. This is not the case if you let the bottle open for years as nobody knows what’s got into the bottle.
If you happen to have an old bottle of Malibu rum that’s been sitting for years, better give it a quick check before pouring it into your cocktail glass!
First thing first, the flavor and taste won’t be as perfect as a newly opened one. If it looks okay, give it a sniff and a little taste test, feel free to use it if you’re happy with it.
If the taste is not that great, it’s your call. But, if wasting food is not your habit, consider using it for drinks that mix with stronger ingredients to disguise the inferior taste.
If you’re suspicious with the old bottle, check if you can spot any change in color, impurities, or unknown objects, especially if you left the bottle open for a while or with the pourer on. In case of doubt, better discard any leftover.
FAQs
Yes, one of the ingredients is sugar. For Malibu Rum Original (coconut flavor) 21%, each 30 mL contains 56 kcal and 5.4 grams carbs, all of them are sugar.
Naturally, all the ingredients are gluten-free. However, the producer doesn’t guarantee that the final product is gluten-free.
It’s not common to drink Malibu Rum straight from the bottle, as it is not pure rum. Since Malibu Rum is sweet, it is best to mix with something acidic to get a perfect balance. It adds fruity flavors and tropical twist to any cocktails.
Malibu Rum is notoriously known as a bar staple for summer drinks, from classic Piña colada, Mojito, and more.
No, Malibu Rum is prepared with coconut extract.
Final Thoughts
Malibu Rum is a coconut-flavored liqueur, and not to be confused with “pure” rum. With good care, Malibu rum won’t go bad that it harms your health, but its quality may degrade over time.
Keeping it in the fridge works well, although room temperature won’t harm it either. Once opened, the flavor slowly decreases. Hence, it is best used within a year.
*Photo by monticello/depositphotos
