How Long Does Club Soda Last? Storage Tips Revealed
Last Updated on September 29, 2023 by Lydia Martin
I’ve tried crafting different cocktails, so I know that the quality of the ingredients can make or break a drink.
Since club soda is one of the most frequently used ingredients in cocktails, you’ve probably wondered, “How long does club soda last?”
Keep reading to know more about this carbonated beverage, including its shelf life and how to make it last longer!
How Long Club Sodas Last
How long does soda last? Well, it depend on its storage condition: opened or unopened club soda.
Unopened club soda (or any unopened sparkling water) can last at its best quality for nine months past its manufacture date – at room temperature.
“Unopened club soda: safe to drink, open possibilities, and endless mixology adventures.” – Liquor Laboratory
Opened cans or bottles generally stay good for 1-2 days only. Once opened, it starts to lose its carbonation and eventually flavor, particularly if stored at room temperature.
Cub Soda’s Shelf Life
Opened Club Soda
An opened bottle of club soda (or soda water) retains its effervescence for about 1-2 days. While soft drinks remain safe to consume beyond this point, don’t expect them to be of their best quality.
Unopened Club Soda
Unopened club soda (or unopened diet sodas) have a significantly longer shelf life.
If stored properly in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, unopened club soda can last up to 9 months past its manufacture date, at room temperature, and 12-18 months when refrigerated.
While it may not be as fizzy as when you first bought it, it’s still perfectly safe to consume.
Refrigerated Club Soda
Refrigerating your carbonated water, whether opened or unopened, helps extend its lifespan. The colder temperatures slow the release of carbonic acid, keeping the bubbles intact.
- Unopened club soda can stay good for 12-18 months if properly stored in the fridge.
- If an opened bottle of club soda is continuously refrigerated, it can stay good for up to 3-5 days.
Does Club Soda Expire?
Yes, opened and unopened club soda does expire. Typically, it has an expiration date stamped on the aluminum cans or bottles. This expiration date is more about quality purposes than safety.
Over time, club soda loses its fizz and becomes flat faster, rendering it less enjoyable to drink. However, it will remain safe because it doesn’t truly expire in the sense that it becomes not safe to drink.
If an unopened club soda develop an off odor or taste, and if the unopened club soda’s color is unusual, it must be discarded right away.
So, I suggest drinking the club soda (or consume unopened diet sodas) before the date expires.
Also Read:
Is It Safe To Drink Expired Club Soda?
Yes, it’s generally safe to drink club soda that has passed its expiration date as long as it’s stored properly. Club soda, like regular sodas, doesn’t go bad in the same way that perishable foods do.
It can generally stay good or safe to drink past its expiration date [1], particularly commercially bottled sodas or soft drinks.
“I looked down into my glass. It held club soda, but the way I was gazing into it you’d have thought it was filled with something stronger.” – Lawrence Block, American Crime Writer
However, drinking an expired club soda (even regular sodas and diet sodas) isn’t recommended. Although they’re safe to drink, they’re not of their best quality, which can trigger health risk.
How Do You Extend Its Shelf Life?
- Whether opened or unopened club soda, make sure the cap is tightly sealed to prevent fizz from escaping.
- Store club sodas (in plastic bottles or cans) in the fridge to preserve their fizz and flavor longer.
- Keep your unopened club soda safe to drink by avoiding extreme temperature changes during storage times, as this can speed up the loss of fizz.
- Once you open a bottle or cans of club soda, use it within a couple of days to enjoy it at its best quality. If the unopened club soda’s color changes or develops an off odor and flavor, discard it.
- If you’re buying club sodas at convenience stores, ensure the bottle or can is not severely dented for quality purposes.
FAQs
Can you drink 2-year-old soda?
Yes, you can consume a 2-year-old club soda. But an expired soda bottle sitting for two years will likely have gone flat and not at its best quality. It won’t harm you, but it might not be as enjoyable.
How long does it take for club soda to go flat?
Club soda starts to lose its carbonation within a day or two of being opened. An expired club soda [2] tastes flat since it’s past the recommended storage times.
Will refrigerating club sodas prevent their expiration date?
Refrigeration can slow down the loss of carbonation. If you’ve properly stored both opened and unopened club soda in the fridge, it can maintain its fizz, taste, and flavor longer.
Final Thoughts
Understanding how long club sodas last and how to extend their shelf life can help maximize your home bar.
Don’t wait for an unopened club soda develop an off odor, it will only generally stay good nine months after the manufacturing date and remain safe past its expiration date as long as it’s properly stored.
While opened club soda last for only about 1-2 days, up to 3-5 days if properly stored in the fridge to help maximize its flavor and fizz.
References:
- https://www.nsf.org/consumer-resources/articles/expiration-dates#
- https://www.readersdigest.ca/home-garden/tips/5-things-do-club-soda/
