Amaretto is an almond-flavored liqueur. Most people use it as an ingredient in baked goods and cocktails.
Usually, amaretto has a nutty and sweet flavor with mild bitter notes. It is believed to have originated from Italy and only made a debut in the United States in the 1960s.
If you have had a bottle of amaretto in your pantry for some time, you may wonder, how long does amaretto last?
Amaretto is a high-proof liqueur since it has a high alcohol content.
Therefore, it has a long shelf life. Stored properly, amaretto can last for up to twenty years when unopened and up to five years when opened.
This article discusses the shelf life of amaretto in detail. Additionally, we will discuss its storage and signs of spoilage. Let’s dive in.
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Does it go bad?
Amaretto can last several years if you store it properly since its alcohol content is approximately 28%.
Amaretto doesn’t go bad the way other food products do, but with time, it loses its potency; hence its quality, flavor, and aroma deteriorate.
It is doubtful that mold will grow on amaretto, but it may develop mold if you leave it unopened in a humid environment.
Amaretto Shelf Life
The shelf life of amaretto significantly depends on two factors; where you store it and whether the bottle is opened or unopened.
If you store amaretto at room temperature, it will last for approximately twenty years if the bottle remains sealed. Note that its flavor may become bland even if you don’t open the bottle.
Once you open the bottle, amaretto will last for approximately five years if you seal the bottle tightly after every use. The quality of amaretto starts to decline after you open the bottle, so it would be best to consume it as soon as possible.
You must store the bottle in a cool, dry, and dark place if you choose to keep it at room temperature.
Although some people prefer refrigerating amaretto, it is not necessary. Amaretto lasts for an indefinite time when you store it in your pantry.
I suggest that you only chill amaretto for a few minutes before drinking it. Chilled amaretto always tastes fantastic.
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Can you drink amaretto past its best-by date?
Most times, amaretto comes with a best-by date on the bottle.
The best by date does not indicate when the amaretto will go bad. It approximates how long it will retain peak quality.
Therefore, it is perfectly okay to drink amaretto that is past its best by date as long as it has no signs of spoilage.
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How To Store Amaretto
Store amaretto the same way you store other liqueurs.
Amaretto doesn’t contain any ingredients that spoil quickly. Therefore, you can store it at room temperature or slightly below. The pantry is the ideal place to store amaretto, but your kitchen cabinet would work too.
You must store amaretto in a cool, dry, and dark place. Ensure that it is far away from any heat or light sources as they may interfere with its quality.
When you open the bottle, seal it tightly after every use to prevent exposure to oxygen. When amaretto is exposed to oxygen, oxidation occurs, causing a change in flavor.
If you want the amaretto to remain at peak quality, seal the bottle tightly to prevent oxidation. As discussed above, there is no need to store it in the fridge even after you’ve opened the bottle.
Can You Freeze Amaretto?
Amaretto does not freeze well for two main reasons; the alcohol content and the water content.
Amaretto has a high alcohol content; hence its freezing point is much lower than water and other liquids. For it to freeze properly, your freezer needs to be extremely cold.
If you successfully freeze a bottle of amaretto, the water content may be a problem as it will expand while the bottle shrinks. If you seal the bottle tightly, it may crack or shatter, causing a mess in your freezer.
Remember, freezing amaretto is unnecessary as it will still have an indefinite shelf life when you store it in your pantry.
How To Thaw Amaretto
You can thaw frozen amaretto in your refrigerator overnight.
Note that amaretto will not have the same flavor after thawing since its chemicals break down due to the cold temperature.
Signs of spoilage
It is unlikely that amaretto will go bad because it has a high alcohol content. However, if you have opened the bottle and only use it occasionally, you should check for any signs of spoilage before consuming it.
If your amaretto has an unpleasant odor, off-taste, or significant color change, the chances are that it has gone bad, and you should discard it. These spoilage signs are unlikely, but it wouldn’t hurt to check.
The flavor of amaretto may deteriorate with years. This means that it may not taste as good as when you first opened the bottle. If this happens, you are better off using it in baked goods, cocktails, or even cooking.
You could also add it to coffee or ice cream to enhance flavor.
Homemade Amaretto
You can make amaretto at home using this simple recipe.
You will need;
- 2 cups vodka
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 cup white sugar
- Two teaspoons vanilla extract
- Two tablespoons almond extract
Instructions
- Mix the brown sugar, white sugar, and water in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Let the mixture boil and stir until all the sugar dissolves.
- Once all the sugar dissolves, remove it from heat and let the mixture cool for approximately 12 minutes.
- Stir in the vodka, vanilla extract, and almond extract, then mix until thoroughly combined.
- Transfer it to a sealable bottle and enjoy!
Summing up
Amaretto has a relatively long shelf life because of its alcohol content, but it doesn’t last forever. A bottle can last for up to twenty years when unopened and five years when opened.
If you have stored amaretto for an extended time, check for the signs of spoilage discussed above before you consume it.
I hope this article answered your question on how long amaretto lasts.
