How Long Does Sweet Vermouth Last? Does it Go Bad?

Have you ever opened a bottle of sweet vermouth and been unsure how long it lasts?

Do the instructions read, “store in a dark place”? What does that mean?

Is there any expiration date? Questions like these can leave many people perplexed.

But fret not! Today we’re here to guide you through all your queries about sweet vermouth – from shelf life, storage conditions, health benefits (if any) and more!

Whether buying or serving this beverage has got your brain churning, join us as we unpack the ins and outs of everything having to do with sweet vermouth.

What’s Sweet Vermouth?

Sweet Vermouth, also included in the ‘holy trinity’ of the cocktail world, is a type of fortified wine filled with exotic spices.

Its origins come from Northern Italy and most notably the city Turin.

The two main styles are red and white vermouths that are made with different herbs, roots, flowers and other botanicals.

They range in flavours of fruity vanilla to bitter-nutty almonds – a well blended Sweet Vermouth truly gives an unforgettable complexity to many classic cocktails.

You can easily make your own Sweet Vermouth at home with minimal ingredients using an array of fresh dried spices.

How to Store Sweet Vermouth?

While vermouth is technically a type of wine, it doesn’t spoil in the same way that regular wine does.

That’s because vermouth is fortified with extra alcohol, which acts as a preservative.

As long as you keep your vermouth in a cool, dark place, it should be good for at least a year after you open it.

The best way to store sweet vermouth is in the fridge.

This will help to prolong its shelf life and keep it tasting fresh.

If you don’t have room in your fridge, you can also store sweet vermouth in a cool, dark cupboard.

Just make sure to give it a shake every now and then to prevent the ingredients from separating.

Once you’ve opened your bottle of sweet vermouth, be sure to finish it within six months for the best flavor.

After that, it’s still safe to drink, but the quality will start to decline.

How Long Does Sweet Vermouth Last?

Sweet vermouth is an aperitif that has been popular for many generations, and it has a shelf-life unlike other alcohols.

When stored properly in a sealed bottle and kept away from direct light and heat sources, sweet vermouth can generally last between 18 months to two years.

However, if it is regularly opened the vermouth can start to degrade after six to eight months since oxidation will occur.

Consuming older, oxidized sweet vermouth can affect the flavor profile significantly and, as an alcohol-based beverage, goes bad over time and should be disposed of safely.

To ensure that you are getting the most out of your bottle of sweet vermouth, we recommend drinking it within a year of purchase.

Can You Freeze Sweet Vermouth?

You can freeze sweet vermouth, but it’s not going to taste as good when you thaw it out.

The freezing process will change the flavor and texture of the vermouth, so it’s best to use it within a few months of freezing.

If you do decide to freeze sweet vermouth, be sure to use an airtight container.

Glass bottles are ideal, but you can also use freezer-safe plastic containers.

Be sure to leave some headspace in the container so that the vermouth has room to expand as it freezes.

Once frozen, sweet vermouth will keep for up to six months.

When you’re ready to use it, thaw the vermouth in the refrigerator overnight.

Once thawed, use the vermouth within a week for best quality.

How to Tell If Sweet Vermouth is Bad?

When it comes to sweet vermouth, you probably don’t give it much thought.

After all, it’s just a wine-based cocktail ingredient, right? Wrong.

Sweet vermouth is actually a very complex and interesting drink, and one that can easily be enjoyed on its own.

But like any other wine, sweet vermouth can go bad if it is not stored properly.

So how can you tell if your sweet vermouth has gone bad? There are a few key signs to look for.

The first is the color of the vermouth. If it has turned from a deep red to a brownish color, then it is probably starting to go bad.

The second is the smell. If the vermouth smells sour or vinegary, then it has most likely gone bad.

Finally, the taste. If the vermouth tastes sour or vinegary as well, then it has definitely gone bad and should be thrown out.

If you’re not sure whether or not your sweet vermouth has gone bad, err on the side of caution and throw it out.

It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Conclusion

As you can see, sweet vermouth will last for a long time after being opened if stored properly.

The flavor may change over time but it will still be safe to drinksweet vermouth that has been open for years.

So, don’t worry about those dusty old bottles at the back of your liquor cabinet – they’re probably just fine.