Summer days are coming. What’s more refreshing than a margarita on a hot summer day?
Just like grenadine syrup, margarita mix is another essential for a home bar. If you like to host a party, margarita mix might be something you need to supply at home.
Not only for a classic margarita, but it’s also great for many cocktail recipes. And the best reason is, of course, it saves you some time and effort!
As with other foods, it’s easy to buy, keep, and eventually forget that you still have a half-full bottle of margarita mix. When you need to use it again, your margarita mix smells off. Does this mean that my margarita mix went bad? How long does margarita mix last?
If you have a similar problem above, we got you covered! In this article, we will share some useful knowledge on margarita mix’s shelf life, its storage methods, and how to know if margarita mix goes bad. If this is something you’re looking for, read on!
Jump into our FAQ section at the bottom of this article to read some basics of margarita mix.
How To Store Margarita Mix
As long as the bottle or bucket is unopened, you can safely keep margarita mix at a cool, dry place, away from sources of sunlight and heat.
Anywhere inside your house should be fine, as long as it’s not too warm and no direct sunlight is coming in. Your pantry, cupboard, or kitchen cabinet will do a great job.
After opening, the best way to preserve its quality is by storing it in the refrigerator. If you’re planning to have another party in one or two weeks, keeping it at room temperature should be fine.
Either way, always tightly seal the bottle when not in use. If, for any reason, you can’t seal the bottle, transfer it into another resealable bottle/ jar or container.
When it comes to homemade margarita mix, you should always keep it refrigerated for later use. It doesn’t contain any preservatives, so the best thing you can do to prolong its shelf life is proper refrigeration.
How Long Does Margarita Mix Last?
Margarita mix is high in sugar and acid. Therefore, it doesn’t spoil quickly if you don’t allow it. But, the quality may decrease over time.
Check the “best before” date to know when your margarita mix retains its best quality. After this date, the mixture won’t magically turn bad.
You can rest assured that under normal conditions, margarita mix should be right for the next few weeks, if not months. Make sure it’s been properly stored, and there’s no damage to the packaging.
After opening, the margarita mix typically stays in its best quality for around 6 to 9 months in the refrigerator. Homemade mixture stays fresh for only 1 to 2 weeks since it doesn’t contain any preservatives.
| Classification | Pantry | Refrigerated |
| Store-bought margarita mix (unopened) | Best-by date + 1 to 2 months(around 12 to 18 months, in case the bottle doesn’t carry a best-by date) | – |
| Store-bought margarita mix (opened) | 6 to 8 weeks | 6 to 9 months |
| Homemade margarita mix | – | 1 to 2 weeks |
This table is just a general guideline for the best quality. The real shelf life of the margarita mix may vary depending on brands and storage conditions. If you notice any suspicious signs of margarita going off, better discard the leftover.
How To Tell If Margarita Mix Is Bad
Margarita mix is high in sugar and acid. It won’t quickly go bad unless you give it a chance. However, its quality profile will degrade over time.
When you have an opened bottle or bucket that’s been sitting in the refrigerator for a while (maybe since Cinco de Mayo last year), the best advice is to check it before mixing. More likely, the flavor is not as strong as the first time you opened the bottle.
If nothing is suspicious whatsoever, take a small sip to taste, and see if you’re happy with it.
Similar to any old supplies from your kitchen, check your mixture a few days in advance if you’re planning to serve it for a party. If things are not as expected, you at least have the time to run to the store.
Some common traits with margarita mix going bad are discoloration, bad odor, and off-taste. Margarita mix is naturally citrusy sour. But, if it smells extremely sour or it’s just not fresh anymore, then it’s time to open up a new bottle.
FAQs
If you’re new to cocktails, you might be wondering what is in margarita mix. In short, the margarita mix is just a mixture of water, sugar, and lime juice. Store-bought variety mostly contains preservatives. Just add tequila, and a classic margarita is ready!
Margarita mix is typically non-alcohol. What you need to do is adding tequila or whatever alcohol you like. If you prefer having the ready-to-drink one, you’re looking for margarita instead of margarita mix.
Margarita mix is made of gluten-free ingredients. But, it can be produced in facilities that process gluten-containing ingredients. Some producers who claim gluten-free are Daily Cocktails, Barsmith, Jose Cuervo.
To be precisely sure, check the allergen information on the label or consult the manufacturer’s website.
After opening, margarita mix is best kept in the refrigerator to preserve the flavor and taste. That’s why most manufacturers (if not all) advise to keep it refrigerated.
However, if you forgot and left it at room temperature, it won’t spoil the next day. It should be fine to stay outside the fridge for a few weeks.
Final Thoughts
Margarita mix is typically non-alcoholic. Knowing its proper storage condition will allow you to use it longer and possibly delay your trip to the grocery or liquor store.
Unopened bottles of margarita mix can last a bit longer than the best before date. But, after opening, it’s best to use within 6 to 8 weeks if kept at room temperature, or 6 to 9 months when continuously refrigerated. If you prefer to make a homemade mixture, it should be good for 1 to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
Margarita mix doesn’t spoil very quickly. But, if it does, you’ll notice from the bad odor, discoloration, and off-taste. If that’s the case, discard any leftover.
*Photo by DenisMArt/depositphotos
