Are you having leftovers from your margarita party? Or just want to prepare some margarita for a future event? Then freezing the margarita may be a great option.
A margarita can safely be frozen over a longer period of time. However, the taste will start to decline after a while. It’s recommended to fill it in a freezable container that’s sealed to preserve the taste longer.
In order to figure out more about how freezing will affect your margarita keep on reading!
How Long Can Margarita Be Frozen?
When I say margarita, I mean a finished margarita cocktail. Not the margarita mix or the tequila, if that’s what you’re wondering about just scroll a bit further down this article to find the answer for that. Now, let’s find out how long a margarita can be frozen and what to be aware of.
In general, when a margarita is frozen, it can last up to a year in the freezer, and even longer, if stored correctly. When unfrozen: inspect, smell and taste it before consuming it to make sure it has not gone bad.
Frozen margarita is basically its own drink in itself, so if you decide to do so with another margarita version you basically can’t go wrong. Just make sure that the container you store the margarita in is freezer-friendly and sealed as it won’t explode or leak. If the container were to crack, the freezer and other things you have stored in it will affect the margarita’s taste.
The taste will always suffer a little bit when stored for some time. Especially if it was made from fresh fruits or berries, but it’s not too bad at all. It’s really worth storing it instead of throwing away a perfectly fine margarita. The best part is that you also can drink it as slush when heating it up again (perfect for a hot day in the sun!).
Can Margarita Go Bad?
If you’ve got some margarita that was not stored correctly straight away. For example from the party yesterday night then you might be wondering if it’s still god.
A margarita will go bad if it’s not stored correctly. It should be stored cooled down, preferably in an airtight container. This is because cold temperatures will slow down the formation of bacteria, and the container prevents oxidation.
If you didn’t store it correctly straight away, there is still hope. Don’t just give up on it.
Here is the best way to go about it:
- Inspect: Are there any changes in color or consistency?
- Smell: Has the smell changed in a bad way?
- Taste: Does it taste close to how it should?
Those steps are always the best way to go about it. And if the margarita has been exposed to air at room temperature for a long time, the margarita will go bad a lot faster. Just in a matter of a couple of days. So you’ll just have to evaluate it.
The alcohol will also help the margarita last a bit longer than non-alcoholic drinks. But since it’s a low alcoholic drink bacteria will thrive but they’re slowed down a bit. Compared to the other ingredient of the margarita: the TEQUILA! at 30-40% alcohol where they won’t form!
How Long Does Margarita Last in the Refridgerator?
Storing the margarita in the refrigerator does definitely help make the cocktail last longer. If you want to drink it just a couple of days down the road after making it. This is most likely your best option.
A margarita can last 4-5 days stored in the refrigerator, before starting to go bad. However, if it’s a ready-to-drink margarita it’s most likely some kind of preservative added, which may extend its duration. Always inspect it before consuming it, throw it away if insecure.
It could last longer, but also shorter depending on different factors. I suggest you use the 3 step process mentioned earlier (inspect, smell & taste). It’s very much like you would treat wine once it’s opened.
While storing it in the freezer it will last a lot longer, you will have to go through the process of unfreezing it. Which is something that may affect the taste as well.
If you decide to go with the refrigerator option I would recommend you store it in an air-tight container. Not only will it help against oxidation but also prevent the taste of food in the fridge from contaminating the margarita.
How Long Does a Margarita MIX Last in Refridgerator?
We’ve got some questions about this matter as well. This time it’s the margarita mix that you can buy at the grocery store. Let’s check how long one of these can last in a refrigerator!
In general, an opened margarita mix can last for 6 months and longer when stored in a refrigerator. However, this is under the condition that there are added enough preservatives. The container should also be airtight. An unopened bottle may last from 12 to 18 months. You should always follow the expiration date.
It is often good a couple of months past its date. But, always smell and taste it, before consuming, when it has been stored for a while.
If you’ve opened it, the taste will be best before 6 months given it’s been stored in an air-tight container. After this, the taste will slowly lose its strength and flavor. After a while, you’ll probably do better at buying a new one.
An unopened margarita mix (bought from the store) does not need to be stored in the refrigerator as long as the container is air-tight and not damaged.
How Long Does a Tequila Last?
Now, for the legend of all legends, the tequila. If you’re not a big consumer of it or just curious it’s always nice to know how long it is ok to store it. Fortunately for us, storing tequila is not the most difficult task.
A correctly stored tequila can last for years. Correctly stored is, preferably in a cool area, with no direct sunlight or other sources of heat, and in a tightly sealed bottle. As long as the smell and taste are fine, it should be no problem to consume it. If any doubt throw it away.
It’s said the quality is on top within a year of opening the bottle. After this, the flavor may start to suffer a bit. But as long as it’s stored correctly it should be drinkable in many years to come.
A neat trick to make it last longer is filling it on a smaller bottle when you’ve consumed a reasonable amount. This will help against the oxidation process since in a larger bottle there will be more air.
If you feel the taste is not prima quality anymore, it’s good that you’re a margarita lover! Since the other ingredients will most likely mask the taste you don’t want.
BUT this does not mean you want to just mask the taste if the tequila has gone bad. You should always use your instinct when it comes to determining if the beverage is still good. Inspect for changes in color & consistency, smell for odor and taste it. If it’s you’re not sure, it’s probably best to throw it away.
