Ever gazed upon that dusty, half-open bottle of booze from two Christmases ago and thought, ‘Darling, are you still good, or have you gone over to the dark side?’
Well, my spirited friend, you’re not alone. Dive into this intoxicating read as we uncork the truth about the shelf life of your favorite libations once they’ve been greeted by the outside world. Cheers to knowing when to sip or skip!
How Long Does Brandy Last?
It depends on how much exposure it has had to air, light and heat. So once you open it, the durability drops dramatically. Let’s talk unopened vs. opened.
How Long Does Brandy Last If It Is Unopened?
Brandy and other types of hard liquor have a low sugar content and high alcohol content. Alcohol kills bacteria, so these spirits tend to last a very long time if unopened. There’s no real expiration date on an old bottle of hard liquor.
How Long Does Brandy Last Once It Is Opened?
Generally speaking, about 1 to 2 years. Again however, this depends on exposure to light, air and extreme temperatures.
The lower the level of remaining liquor in the bottle, the more air is in the bottle and the faster it will degrade. So if you have an unloved bottle or two with an eight of an inch left at the bottom, use it up or toss it out!
Note: For hard liquors, when we say “degrade” we’re mostly talking about flavor and color. Even old, opened liquor is typically safe to drink, but it might no longer be pleasant.
Here Is What You Can Do With That Aging Alcohol:
He has a recipe in the video, but you can really put whatever you want in Jungle Juice and it will taste pretty good.
Other Recipe Ideas For Brandy
Apple Brandy Cake
Ingredients:
– 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon baking powder
– ½ teaspoon baking soda
– ½ teaspoon salt
– ¾ cup butter, softened
– 2 cups white sugar
– 3 eggs
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– ½ cup brandy
– ½ cup applesauce
– 1 cup chopped apples (peeled)
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.
2. In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
3. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Stir in the vanilla extract, brandy and applesauce. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until just blended. Fold in the chopped apples.
4. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan.
5. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Brandy Truffles
Ingredients:
– 2 cups cream
– 2 tablespoons butter
– 4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
– ¾ cup brandy
– 1 ¼ cups cocoa powder
Directions:
1. In a large saucepan, combine the cream and butter and bring to a low simmer over medium heat.
2. Once it begins to simmer, lower the heat and incorporate the chocolate chips until melted and incorporated.
3. Add the brandy and whisk until blended.
4. Remove from heat and pour into a shallow baking dish and refrigerate for 2-3 hours, or until solid.
5. Once it is solidified and chilled, use a teaspoon to scoop tablespoons of the mixture and shape into balls.
6. Roll the truffles in cocoa powder and enjoy.
Sources
https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/not-all-alcohol-gets-better-age