Cold brew coffee has become increasingly popular in recent years. With its smooth, less acidic taste, many coffee drinkers prefer cold brew over traditional hot coffee. One of the most popular ready-to-drink cold brew brands is Stok. But how long does a bottle or jug of Stok cold brew stay fresh and safe to drink?
What is Stok Cold Brew?
Stok cold brew coffee is made by steeping coffee grounds in cold or room temperature water for an extended period of time, usually 12-24 hours. This long steeping time extracts the flavors and caffeine from the beans without exposing them to heat. The result is a smooth, low-acid coffee concentrate that can be enjoyed cold, straight up or diluted with water or milk.
Stok offers its cold brew coffee in a few convenient formats:
- 14 oz glass bottles
- 48 oz plastic jugs
- Gallon jugs for offices, restaurants, etc.
The shelf-stable bottles and jugs do not require refrigeration until after opening, making Stok cold brew easy to store and transport. The coffee concentrate is double-strength, so many people dilute it 1:1 with water, milk, or ice.
How Long Does Unopened Stok Cold Brew Last?
An unopened, properly stored bottle or jug of Stok cold brew concentrate will stay safe and retain optimal flavor for:
- Bottles – 12 months from the date of manufacture
- 48 oz jugs – 18 months from the date of manufacture
- 1 gallon jugs – 24 months from the date of manufacture
As long as the cold brew stays sealed in its original packaging, it should not spoil or become unsafe to drink. The key is keeping it stored in a cool, dry pantry away from direct light until you are ready to open and enjoy it.
How to Tell if Unopened Stok Cold Brew Has Gone Bad
Although Stok cold brew has a long shelf life when unopened, here are a few signs that a bottle or jug has spoiled and should be discarded:
- Bulging or leaking packaging: If the bottle or jug is leaking or appears swollen, this could indicate gas production from spoilage.
- Changes in appearance: Separated liquid, cloudiness, precipitation, or grittiness could signal the growth of bacteria or mold.
- Clumpy texture: Stir or shake the cold brew. If you notice a clumpy, curdled texture, it is no longer fresh.
- Sour or rancid smell: An unpleasant sour, skunky, or rancid odor means the cold brew has oxidized or spoiled.
When in doubt, remember the old adage “When in doubt, throw it out” – don’t take chances consuming spoiled beverages. Unopened, unexpired Stok cold brew should smell and look the same as when you first purchased it.
How Long Does Opened Stok Cold Brew Last?
Once opened, both the shelf life and optimal flavor of Stok cold brew are significantly reduced. This is because exposure to oxygen and light causes the coffee to start oxidizing and staling. For best quality, opened Stok cold brew concentrate should be consumed within:
- Bottles – 7-10 days
- 48 oz jugs – 2-3 weeks
- 1 gallon jugs – 3-4 weeks
The refrigerated shelf life is slightly longer if the opened container is promptly refrigerated and kept sealed when not in use. But in general, Stok’s smooth taste and robust aroma fade quickly after exposure to air – so try to use opened cold brew sooner than later.
How to Store Opened Stok Cold Brew
To maximize the shelf life and flavor of opened Stok cold brew, be sure to:
- Tightly seal the bottle or replace the cap after pouring out desired amounts.
- Refrigerate after opening.
- Store away from light sources like windows or appliance LEDs.
- Avoid extreme refrigerator odors and temperatures.
- Pour fresh daily rather than letting it sit in the fridge for weeks.
- Keep concentrate away from other foods with strong odors that could be absorbed.
A good option is to pour only 1-2 days’ worth of cold brew into a smaller container at a time, leaving the rest of the jug sealed in the fridge. This minimizes oxygen exposure as you use the concentrate.
How To Tell If Opened Stok Cold Brew Has Spoiled
Opened cold brew has a shorter shelf life and can show signs of spoilage after 1-2 weeks in the fridge. Here’s what to look for:
- Appearance: Cloudiness, haziness, visible mold/yeast.
- Texture: Grittiness, slime, thick clumps.
- Smell: Sour, rancid, skunky, rotten.
- Taste: Bitter, metallic, moldy, acidic.
- Color: Changes to a yellow, brown, or gray tone.
A viscous, syrupy texture that occurs as the water separates is normal. But if your refrigerated Stok cold brew develops any off colors, smells, textures, or flavors, err on the side of caution and discard it.
How Long Does Stok Cold Brew Last Once Diluted?
The shelf life depends on whether fresh cold brew concentrate or leftover diluted Stok is stored:
- Freshly mixed: 3-4 days refrigerated
- Leftover diluted: 1-2 days refrigerated
For optimum taste, mix diluted Stok cold brew (1:1 ratio with water or ice) in small batches and drink within 3-4 days. Quickly refrigerate any leftovers and use within 2 days. Discard if it smells, tastes, or looks unpleasant.
Does Stok Cold Brew Go Bad Once Frozen?
Freezing is an excellent way to extend the shelf life of unused Stok cold brew concentrate. Portion it into an ice cube tray or popsicle molds before freezing for easy use later. Properly frozen, it can last 6-8 months with minimal flavor loss.
Signs that frozen cold brew has spoiled:
- Ice crystals, pitting, or white spots on the cubes (freezer burn)
- Unfrozen, mushy consistency
- Off odors when thawed
- Mold, residue, or debris inside cubes
- Changes in appearance, smell, or taste after thawing
Discard any cold brew cubes that display these warning signs of spoilage. Ideally use frozen concentrate within 8 months for best quality.
Does Stok Cold Brew Expire?
Yes, Stok cold brew coffee does eventually expire and should not be consumed after its printed expiration or “Best By” date on the packaging. The shelf lives are:
- Unopened bottles: 12 months from manufacture date
- Unopened jugs: 18-24 months from manufacture date
- Opened bottles: 7-10 days
- Opened jugs: 2-4 weeks
While not dangerous immediately after the expiration date, Stok cold brew will degrade in aroma, color, texture, and taste the longer it is stored past its prime. For the freshest, best taste, use within the times listed.
Can You Drink Stok Cold Brew After It Expires?
It’s not recommended to drink expired Stok cold brew coffee. Although it’s unlikely to make you sick immediately after the expiration date, the taste and quality drop quickly. An expired cold brew will likely taste flat, bitter, and unpleasant.
Storage conditions impact how long the product stays drinkable. A few weeks past its date, an unopened expiration-dated Stok that was stored in a cool pantry may still be palatable. However, opened or poorly stored cold brew is a higher risk for spoilage and should not be consumed if expired.
Remember that the manufacturer’s expiration date is the final day the cold brew is optimally fresh, not necessarily a safety cutoff. So drinking recently expired Stok poses minimal safety risk, but you likely won’t enjoy the brewed coffee’s taste.
How to Store Stok Cold Brew to Maximize Shelf Life
To get the longest safe shelf life and best flavor from your Stok cold brew, be diligent about proper storage:
- Pantry Storage: Store unopened cold brew in a cool, dry pantry away from appliances, heat, or windows.
- Refrigerator Storage: Refrigerate opened cold brew and leftover diluted drinks.
- Freezer Storage: Freeze concentrated cold brew in airtight containers or ice cube trays.
- Light Protection: Keep cold brew in opaque packaging or away from light to prevent oxidation.
- Air Exposure: Seal opened bottles and jugs tightly and limit oxygen exposure.
- Temperature Control: Avoid temperature fluctuations – store opened cold brew at 35-40°F.
With proper storage and handling, Stok’s shelf life can safely be extended past its expiration date. But aging will degrade the flavor over time. For best results, consume it within the recommended time frames.
How to Brew the Freshest Tasting Stok Cold Brew
For great flavor, brew your Stok cold brew coffee within a short window after opening:
- Bottles: Use within 7-10 days.
- Jugs: Use within 2-4 weeks.
To brew the freshest, best tasting Stok cold brew:
- Refrigerate after opening to halt oxidation.
- Pour only needed amounts into your brewing vessel, keeping the remainder sealed.
- Drink immediately, store any leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge.
- Avoid floating cold brew cubes in the serving vessel, which increases air exposure.
- Rinse acidic produce like citrus before setting in the brewed beverage.
Stok retains its smooth flavor best when exposed to minimal light, air, heat, or contamination after opening. Drink it as soon as possible for optimal freshness.
How to Tell When Stok Cold Brew Has Gone Bad
Here are the signs that Stok cold brew has spoiled and should be discarded:
Appearance
- Cloudy coffee liquid
- Particulates floating
- Sediment at the bottom
- Separation of liquid and solids
- Unnatural colors like yellow, tan, gray, green
- Mold, froth, or bubbles on surface
Aroma
- Sour, tangy, acidic smell
- Rotten, unpleasant odors
- Skunky or rancid smells
Flavor
- Bitter, unpleasant taste
- Metallic, chemical flavor
- Moldy, dirt-like taste
Texture
- Gritty, slimy
- Grainy or curdled
- Syrupy, thick, or frothy
Stok cold brew that looks, smells, or tastes unpleasant is safest to discard. With proper storage, it can stay fresh for use well within the manufacturer’s expiration date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you drink expired Stok cold brew?
It’s not recommended. While not dangerous immediately after expiration, the taste and quality will rapidly decline. Stick to unexpired cold brew for optimal flavor.
Does Stok need to be refrigerated?
Stok cold brew concentrates do not require refrigeration until after opening. Once opened, refrigerate and use within 7-10 days (bottles) or 2-4 weeks (jugs).
How long can opened Stok cold brew last unrefrigerated?
Only 1-2 days – opened cold brew concentrate must be refrigerated and used quickly for best quality. Leaving it unrefrigerated hastens staleness.
Can you freeze Stok cold brew concentrate?
Yes, freezing unused portions of concentrate is recommended for longer storage. It lasts about 6-8 months frozen before flavor declines.
Does watering down Stok cold brew reduce the shelf life?
Diluting concentrate shortens the shelf life to 3-4 days refrigerated. For best results, mix diluted cold brew in small batches to drink promptly.
The Bottom Line
When properly stored, Stok cold brew coffee can retain optimal taste for several weeks past its bottling date if unopened, or 1-2 weeks past opening. Keep it refrigerated after opening, minimize air exposure, and drink within the recommended timeframe for the freshest flavor. Look for any signs of spoilage before consuming. With proper handling, Stok’s trademark smooth taste can be enjoyed for the duration of its shelf life.
