Premixed margaritas do expire eventually, but how long they last depends on several factors. With proper storage, premixed margaritas can stay fresh and safe to drink for at least a few weeks after the purchase date. However, there are some signs to look out for to know when a premixed margarita has gone bad.
How long does premixed margarita last?
An unopened bottle of premixed margarita will typically last for 1-2 months past the printed expiration date. However, once opened, premixed margaritas will only stay fresh for about 1-2 weeks in the refrigerator.
Here are some general guidelines for how long premixed margaritas will last:
| Premixed margarita type | Unopened shelf life | Opened fridge life |
|---|---|---|
| Bottled premixed margarita (unfrozen) | 2-3 months past printed date | 1-2 weeks |
| Frozen premixed margarita | 1 month past printed date | 3-5 days |
| Powdered margarita mix | 6-12 months past printed date | 3-4 weeks |
The shelf life depends on factors such as the type of alcohol, other ingredients, and preservatives used. Tequila and triple sec have a relatively long unopened shelf life of 1-2 years. Fruit juices and dairy ingredients like lime juice and cream shorten the shelf life. Preservatives help extend the shelf life but aren’t a guarantee drinks last until the printed date.
How to tell if premixed margarita has gone bad?
Watch out for these signs that indicate your premixed margarita has spoiled and should be discarded:
- Change in color – Significantly darker or cloudy color
- Change in texture – Separation, clumping, grittiness, or thin watery consistency
- Floaties or particles – Bits floating in the margarita
- Off odors – Sour, rotten, or unpleasant aromas
- Off tastes – Sour, bitter, or spoiled flavors
- Fizziness – Bubbles or carbonation
- Mold – Any fuzzy or slimy mold spots
Frozen margaritas that have been thawed and refrozen several times are more prone to texture and flavor changes. Bottled shelf-stable margaritas can develop a darker color over time but still be safe to consume. Trust your senses – if it looks, smells or tastes off, the premixed margarita has likely expired.
Does alcohol go bad in premixed margaritas?
The base spirits like tequila and orange liqueurs don’t easily expire or go bad, even in premixed margaritas. The alcohol itself acts as a preservative. As long as the bottle remains factory sealed, the 40% ABV liquor maintains quality for years stored at room temperature. The shelf life is 1-2 years past the printed date for unopened tequila and triple sec.
Once opened, oxidation and evaporation slowly start degrading liquor quality. Tequila and orange liqueur have a shelf life of about 1 year after opening. Refrigeration prolongs the shelf life a few extra months. So alcohol doesn’t quickly go bad in premixed margaritas, but other ingredients cause it to expire sooner than straight liquor.
Do fruit juices go bad in premixed margaritas?
Fruit juices like lime, orange, pineapple, or cranberry significantly reduce the shelf life of premixed margaritas. The natural sugars, water content, and acids make fruit juice prone to spoilage. Juice only lasts about 5-7 days after opening when refrigerated.
In shelf-stable aseptic boxes, fruit juice can last 2-3 months at room temperature. But once opened, it must be refrigerated and used quickly within 5-7 days. So fruit juices go bad much quicker than alcohol in premixed margaritas.
Do dairy products go bad in margaritas?
Some premixed margarita products contain dairy ingredients like cream, milk or sweet and sour mix. Dairy is highly perishable with a short shelf life. Refrigerated liquid cream lasts 1-2 weeks past the printed date. Opened cream only stays fresh 4-7 days.
Non-dairy creamers have slightly longer shelf lives around a month when refrigerated. Spoiled dairy turns sour and curdles. So dairy ingredients like cream cause premixed margaritas to expire faster than versions without.
Do margarita mixes expire?
Powdered margarita mixes are shelf-stable and don’t require refrigeration. Unopened margarita mix lasts around 9-12 months past the printed expiration date. Opened margarita mix keeps 1-2 months in the pantry.
Look for clumping, caking, color changes or stale scents indicating the powder has expired. Mixes keep longer than ready-to-drink margaritas thanks to the lack of fruit juices. Properly stored, margarita mixes stay fresh for over a year past the date on the package.
How to store premixed margaritas?
Proper storage is key to maximize the shelf life of premixed margaritas. Here are some tips for storage:
- Store unopened bottles at room temperature away from direct sunlight.
- Refrigerate opened bottles and use within 1-2 weeks.
- Keep frozen margaritas frozen; thawing and refreezing reduces quality.
- Store margarita mix in a cool, dry pantry away from moisture.
- Don’t store premixed margaritas at hot temperatures above 70°F to avoid flavor deterioration.
The freezer time shown on frozen margaritas indicates the “Use By” date for best quality. Discard bottles past 1-2 months in the freezer. Any separation is normal – shake before pouring frozen margaritas. Follow bottle directions for proper storage.
Can you freeze premixed margaritas?
It’s best to choose premixed frozen margaritas intended to be frozen, not ones meant to be shelf-stable. Freezing a shelf-stable margarita can cause texture issues making it watery or slushy upon thawing.
Bottled margaritas specifically made for the freezer have added thickeners and emulsifiers to maintain the smooth frozen texture. Freeze premixed margaritas immediately rather than letting them sit at room temperature. Store frozen margaritas at 0°F or below.
Letting the bottles repeatedly thaw then refreeze degrades quality faster. Frozen margaritas last about 1 month past the printed date when properly frozen. Don’t freeze margarita mixes – rather combine with water and ice as directed.
Can you re-freeze thawed premixed margaritas?
It’s best to avoid letting frozen premixed margaritas fully thaw. But if they do thaw accidentally, you can re-freeze within 24 hours for minimal quality loss. Keep thawed margaritas chilled below 40°F before re-freezing.
Re-freezing more than once significantly impacts the smooth icy texture. Thawed margaritas turn more slushy with each round of freezing. They may taste diluted or watered down. For best quality, keep frozen margaritas from thawing in the first place.
What happens if you drink expired premixed margaritas?
Drinking premixed margaritas past their prime or expiration date is unlikely to make you sick or cause food poisoning. Consuming spoiled alcoholic drinks mainly causes flavor, aroma, texture and appearance defects.
However, mold growth would be a concern. Discard any bottles showing signs of mold. Premixed margaritas may taste unpleasant when old but aren’t dangerous if consumed by accident. At worst, expired margaritas cause upset stomach or digestive discomfort in sensitive individuals.
Can expired premixed margaritas make you sick?
Premixed margaritas don’t often harbor the bacteria that causes foodborne illness. The alcohol and acidity prevent pathogenic bacteria growth. But mold is still a possibility in expired drinks.
Consumption of mycotoxins from molds on premixed margaritas could potentially cause illness. However, this scenario is unlikely as affected bottles would have visible mold or fuzzy growth you could detect. As long as expired premixed margaritas show no signs of mold, they won’t make you sick.
Will expired premixed margaritas make you vomit?
Drinking spoiled premixed margarita isn’t likely to directly cause vomiting or nausea. The alcohol itself, if consumed in excess, poses more of a vomiting risk than actual spoilage.
Expired margaritas mainly cause flavor and texture defects. Unless contaminated with pathogenic bacteria or toxins, they won’t directly induce vomiting. However, some individuals may have gastric distress if they ingest very spoiled drinks with chemical changes.
Can you get food poisoning from expired premixed margaritas?
Food poisoning is very unlikely from expired premixed margaritas. Alcohol’s antibacterial properties prevent pathogenic bacteria like salmonella, E. coli and listeria from growing. These pathogens commonly cause foodborne illness.
Undrinkable levels of bacteria or toxins are unable to multiply in shelf-stable alcoholic drinks. Keep refrigerated after opening and discard any bottles showing mold growth. While expired premixed margaritas may taste bad, food poisoning isn’t a concern.
How long after eating expired margaritas would you get sick?
You likely won’t get sick at all from consuming expired premixed margaritas. Spoiled mixed drinks mainly have taste and odor defects rather than cause illness. If stomach issues occur, onset would happen within 12-24 hours.
However, the chance is remote. Any vomiting or diarrhea symptoms would manifest shortly after ingesting expired margaritas, not longer term. Unless juices were contaminated before bottling, premixed margaritas don’t harbor common foodborne pathogens.
Can expired premixed margaritas still get you drunk?
Yes, the alcohol in premixed margaritas remains ethanol and maintains intoxicating effects even when expired. While aging for years may subtly change liquor flavor, potency or congeners, it’s minimal in bottled premade drinks.
So while an expired premixed margarita may not taste great, it will still impact you the same as if it were fresh. The alcohol percentage stays consistent over shelf life. Exercise caution and drink expired margaritas in moderation due to impaired judgment risks.
Do you have to be 21 to buy expired premixed margaritas?
Yes, you still need to be of legal drinking age to purchase premixed margaritas, even if expired. Since they contain alcohol, federal and state laws prohibit sale to those under 21 years old. Retailers require ID check for expired alcoholic drinks.
Premixed margaritas don’t stop being considered alcohol products once past expiration dates. The bottled drinks maintain an alcohol content around 12% ABV. Expired status doesn’t override the minimum age laws. You must be 21 years or older to buy premixed margaritas.
Can you return expired premixed margaritas?
Most grocery and liquor stores allow returns of expired, unsatisfactory or damaged premixed margarita bottles. However, policies can vary by retailer. Some may offer exchanges instead of refunds for spoiled drinks.
Expect to show your receipt to get a return or exchange. Check return policies – many stores only accept returns within 30 days of purchase. Beyond this, you may be unable to get a refund for expired premixed margaritas. Consume them promptly or check dates carefully when purchasing.
Can you exchange expired premixed margaritas?
Retailers like grocery stores, warehouse clubs and liquor shops often allow exchanging expired premixed margarita bottles. However, you may need to provide the receipt as proof of purchase. Make exchanges within a few days of buying.
Expect to swap out the expired bottle for the same product. Margarita mixes likely can’t be exchanged for ready-to-drink margaritas. Check return policies – some small liquor stores don’t permit any returns or exchanges. For best results, request an exchange soon after purchase.
Is it illegal to sell expired premixed margaritas?
There are no federal laws prohibiting sale of expired alcoholic beverages like premixed margaritas. Retailers aren’t legally required to remove expired drinks from shelves.
However, many states prohibit sale of spoiled or adulterated alcoholic drinks. Expired premixed margaritas may be considered adulterated goods in some locations. Most stores voluntarily remove out-of-date drinks for quality and safety reasons.
Some states require expired alcohol to be disposed of or returned to manufacturers. Check your local laws. While not universally illegal, sale of expired ready-to-drink margaritas goes against industry best practices.
Can restaurants serve expired premixed margaritas?
Legally, restaurants can serve expired ready-to-drink margaritas in most cases. However, it violates food safety best practices and poses reputation risks. Any restaurant or bar found serving spoiled drinks risks customer complaints and loss of trust.
Additionally, some states prohibit sale of adulterated liquor beyond shelf life dates. Expired premade margaritas may fall under this category in certain locations. Restaurants should train staff to routinely rotate stock and check for expired drinks.
While not necessarily illegal, serving expired premixed margaritas contradicts industry standards. Reputable restaurants always discard and replace expired alcoholic beverages.
Do premixed margaritas expire if never opened?
Yes, even factory-sealed, unopened premixed margaritas gradually expire over time. Exposure to oxygen, light and temperature fluctuations through the glass bottles slowly degrades quality.
Unopened shelf life is around:
- 1-2 months past printed date for frozen margaritas
- 2-3 months past date for refrigerated unopened bottles
- Up to 1 year past date for some liquor bases
So while unopened premixed margaritas last longer than opened, their quality still diminishes over months. Consume within a couple months of production for best flavor and texture.
Do premixed margaritas expire faster after opening?
Yes, opened premixed margaritas expire much quicker than factory sealed bottles. Once air enters the bottle, oxidation reactions accelerate degradation of the alcohol and juice ingredients.
Here’s how long opened premixed margaritas last:
- Frozen margaritas – 3-5 days in freezer
- Refrigerated margaritas – 1-2 weeks in fridge
- Shelf-stable mix – 1-2 months in pantry
Exposure to air and repeated opening significantly shortens the shelf life after opening. Drink premixed margaritas within a few weeks for best quality and flavor.
Conclusion
Premixed margaritas do expire and have limited shelf lives depending on storage conditions. Unopened frozen margaritas last about 1-2 months past the printed expiration date. Once opened, premixed margaritas only stay fresh for 1-2 weeks in the refrigerator.
Signs that premixed margaritas have spoiled include changes in color, texture, appearance and smell. While consuming expired premixed margarita isn’t dangerous, it can have unpleasant flavor and aroma defects. Store refrigerated margaritas properly and discard bottles past their prime for best results. Premixed margaritas can stay enjoyable for several weeks if handled correctly.
