How long will bottled sangria last?

Sangria is a popular fruity wine punch that is often enjoyed during the warmer summer months. When making sangria, wine is typically combined with brandy, fruit juices, sugar, spices, and sliced fruit. The addition of brandy helps prevent oxidation and preserve the sangria. However, like wine, sangria does not have an indefinite shelf life. So how long does bottled or store-bought sangria last?

Table of Contents

Does sangria go bad?

Yes, sangria can go bad. Like wine, sangria is perishable and has a limited shelf life. The main factors that impact how long sangria will last are exposure to air, light, heat, and fluctuations in temperature. When properly stored, bottled sangria can maintain quality and taste for several months. However, over time the quality will diminish as the wine oxidizes and the flavor changes. Signs that sangria has gone bad include a change in color, appearance of sediment, vinegar-like smell and taste, and fizziness.

How to tell if sangria is bad

Here are some signs that indicate your bottled sangria has spoiled and should be discarded:

Change in color: Fresh sangria is brightly hued from the fruit juices. As it goes bad, the color will become dull, faded and brown.
Sediment: Old sangria may have chunky particles or gritty sediment at the bottom of the bottle.
Vinegar smell and taste: Spoiled sangria will smell and taste sour like vinegar due to fermentation.

Fizziness: Sangria may become carbonated as it turns to vinegar.
Mold: Look for fuzzy mold growing in the bottle, which signals spoilage.
Rancid fruity smell: The fruit flavors will smell overripe and unpleasant.

Shelf life of sealed, bottled sangria

Sealed, bottled sangria that has not been opened will generally stay fresh and retain good quality for:

2 – 4 months past the printed expiration date when stored properly.
6 – 8 months when stored in a cool, dark place like a pantry or cellar.

1 – 2 years if kept in the refrigerator continuously after purchase.

The shelf life depends largely on the ABV (alcohol by volume) content. Higher alcohol sangrias will keep longer. Sangria stored in the fridge will maintain quality and fresh flavor for the longest amount of time.

Does sangria last longer chilled or at room temp?

Chilling sangria prolongs its shelf life. Sangria will last significantly longer when stored in the refrigerator compared to room temperature. The cool environment helps slow down chemical reactions that cause sangria to go bad.

Here is an approximate comparison:

Storage Method	Shelf Life
Refrigerator (35°F – 40°F)	1 – 2 years past expiration date
Pantry/Cellar (68°F – 72°F)	6 – 8 months past expiration date
Room temperature (72°F and above)	3 – 6 months past expiration date

As shown, the refrigerator provides the optimal environment for extending the shelf life of sangria by a significant margin.

Does sangria expire?

Yes, sangria does expire and has a limited shelf life. Sangria contains wine, fruit juice and fresh fruits, all of which have a shorter shelf life compared to hard liquor. The alcoholic content also limits how long the sangria retains quality.

Bottled sangria will usually have a printed expiration or best by date. This is typically 1 – 2 years from when it was bottled. However, sangria can often last for several months beyond its expiration date if stored properly in the fridge. The expiration date is simply an indication of when it should be consumed by for best taste.

Check the appearance, aroma and flavor of sangria to determine if it has expired. If it smells or tastes unpleasant, it is best to discard it even if the expiration date has not passed.

Does sangria last after opening?

Once opened, sangria oxidizes quickly so it is best consumed within 1 – 3 days. To maximize freshness after opening:

Transfer to an airtight container or resealable bottle to limit air exposure.
Refrigerate to inhibit microbial growth.
Drink within 3 days and don’t let it sit for longer than a week.

Add a splash of brandy or vodka to help preserve it.
Squeeze plastic wrap directly on the sangria’s surface before sealing to prevent oxygen contact.
Consider freezing individual servings to enjoy later.

Adding a maraschino cherry or orange slice after opening can also help maintain flavor. Avoid leaving sangria out at room temperature once opened.

Can you freeze sangria?

Yes, sangria can be frozen for longer term storage. To freeze sangria:

Pour sangria into freezer-safe plastic containers or resealable bags.

Leave 1⁄2 to 1 inch of headspace to allow for expansion.
Seal tightly and freeze for up to 3 months.
Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.

Stir well once thawed as separation may occur.
Add a splash of citrus juice or brandy after thawing to freshen the flavor.

The alcohol content of sangria makes it suitable for freezing. Thawed sangria may taste more diluted but can be improved by adding extra fruit or fruit juice.

For longer freezer storage of 6 months, consider freezing sangria in ice cube trays. Once frozen, transfer the sangria cubes to a resealable plastic bag. Add cubes to glasses of wine to enhance the flavor.

How to store sangria properly

Follow these tips for maximizing the shelf life of bottled and homemade sangria:

Fridge storage: Refrigerate at 35°F – 40°F immediately after purchase or preparation. Chilling helps sangria retain quality and freshness longer.

Seal tightly: After opening, transfer sangria to an airtight container or bottle. Oxygen causes it to spoil faster.
Mind the headspace: Leave minimal air space when sealing to reduce oxidation.
Avoid light: Store sangria in a dark space away from direct light, which accelerates spoilage.

Consume quickly: Drink sangria within 3 days of opening for best quality and flavor.
Don’t over-handle: Limit pouring sangria back and forth between containers and glasses. This introduces oxygen and causes it to deteriorate faster.

Proper refrigerated storage is key for maintaining sangria’s quality and fresh fruit flavors. Keeping it chilled, sealed from air, and away from light will prolong its shelf life significantly.

How to revive flat or old sangria

If your sangria has lost its fizz and fruity flavor, try these simple fixes:

Add fresh citrus juice like orange, lime, or lemon to brighten up the taste.
Splash in some soda water or ginger ale for light effervescence.

Stir in brandy, vodka or gin (1-2 ounces per quart). The alcohol content acts as a preservative.
Drop in fresh fruit slices like oranges, apples, berries or peaches. The juicy fruit adds natural sweetness.
Mix in 2-3 tablespoons of fine sugar or simple syrup to balance tartness.

Add dashes of zesty spices like cinnamon sticks or cloves.
Pour sangria into a pitcher over ice to chill and dilute overly alcohol notes.

Freshening up flat sangria with citrus, fruit and a splash of soda can often revive it, adding liveliness back to the drink.

How long does homemade sangria last?

Homemade sangria has a shorter shelf life compared to commercially prepared, bottled sangria due to the fresh fruits and juices used. For best quality, enjoy homemade sangria within:

5 – 7 days if refrigerated
1 – 2 days at room temperature

2 – 3 months frozen then thawed in fridge

To maximize homemade sangria’s freshness:

Make sangria in small batches to avoid waste.

Use freshly squeezed citrus juice for brighter flavor.
Refrigerate immediately in airtight containers.
Add spirits like brandy to help preservation.

Avoid adding club soda or sparkling water until ready to serve.

The shorter shelf life of homemade sangria means it’s best to mix up a pitcher just before serving a crowd. Leftovers should be refrigerated and enjoyed within a week for optimal freshness.

Does white or red sangria last longer?

Generally red sangria lasts longer than white sangria. The tannins in red wine help act as a preservative allowing it keep longer. Also, white wines are often lower in alcohol content than reds – the higher ABV of red sangria contributes to its longer shelf life.

Here is a comparison:

Type	Refrigerated	Room Temperature
Red sangria	5 – 7 days	3 – 5 days
White sangria	3 – 5 days	2 – 3 days

Due to its structural components, chilling extends a properly stored, unopened red sangria’s shelf life to up to 1 year compared to 6 – 8 months for white. So red sangria lasts longer, especially when refrigerated.

Can sangria be reheated?

It is not recommended to reheat bottled sangria after refrigeration. Sangria is best served chilled or over ice. Reheating can cause the alcohol to evaporate, making the sangria taste unbalanced and flat.

Instead, revive leftover refrigerated sangria by:

Stirring well before serving to blend settled fruit juices.
Adding a splash of brandy or fresh orange juice to freshen flavor.

Placing sangria bottle in freezer for 15 mins before serving for quick chill.
Pouring sangria into a pitcher over ice cubes to quickly cool.
Garnishing with fresh citrus slices.

A quick chill or stir is all that leftover sangria needs for serving. Heating should be avoided as heat damages the delicate flavors.

Conclusion

With proper refrigerated storage and limited exposure to air and light, commercially bottled sangria can stay fresh and retain good flavor for 1 – 2 years past its printed expiration date. Once opened, it’s best to consume sangria within 3 days. Homemade sangria has a shorter shelf life of just 5 – 7 days refrigerated.

Keep unopened sangria refrigerated in a dark pantry, monitor for signs of spoilage, and avoid outright freezing for best quality. With some simple fixes like adding brandy and fresh fruit, leftover sangria can be freshened up as needed. Follow these tips and your sangria will stay delicious right to the last glass!