How Long Do Non-Alcoholic Spirits Keep Once Opened? Brand by Brand
How long non-alcoholic spirits keep once opened, brand by brand, how to store them, and how to tell when one has turned.
Most non-alcoholic spirits keep for about 12 weeks once opened, in the fridge with the cap on tight. It varies by brand, from about three weeks for Ghia to a year for The Pathfinder, so the label is the final word. They keep for less time than regular spirits because there’s no alcohol to preserve them. Here’s how long the bottles we carry last, how to store them and how to tell when one has turned.
Long keepers
- 0.0%
- Never Alcoholized
- United States
- <0.5%
- Never Alcoholized
- United States
- 0.0%
- Never Alcoholized
- United States
See every non-alcoholic spirit →
Why they don’t keep like regular spirits
In a regular spirit, the alcohol itself keeps it stable for years. Remove it and the drink behaves more like a cordial or a juice: Wes Pearson of the Australian Wine Research Institute notes that alcohol “acts as a preservative” (the Globe and Mail). Producers use preservatives such as potassium sorbate and citric acid, but once a bottle is open, air and warmth start to work on the flavor.
How long each brand keeps once opened
| Brand | Once opened | Where |
|---|---|---|
| The Pathfinder | 12 months | As labeled |
| Le Petit Béret gin | 3 months | Fridge |
| Ritual | 12 weeks | As labeled |
| Lyre’s | 12 weeks | Fridge |
| Little Saints | 12 weeks | As labeled |
| Wilfred’s | 12 weeks | Cool and dry |
| Mommos | 2 months | Fridge |
| Aplós | 60 days | No fridge needed |
| Melati | 6 weeks | Fridge; shake first |
| Ghia | 3 weeks | Fridge |
| Seedlip | No time given | Fridge |
| Almave | No time given | Cool and dry; don’t freeze |
From each producer’s storage note. Melati’s sediment is natural; shake gently before pouring.
How to make an open bottle last
Date it
Write the opening date on the label with a marker.
Chill it
Unless the label says otherwise, keep it in the fridge once open.
Close it tight
Put the cap back on straight after pouring, and keep it upright.
Buy the right size
If you only pour now and then, flasks and smaller bottles mean less left over.
How to tell if it’s gone off
- The smell has changed: sour, musty or flat where it used to be bright.
- It looks different: cloudy where it was clear, or anything growing on the surface or the neck. (Some, like Melati, have a natural sediment; that’s fine.)
- It fizzes when it shouldn’t, a sign it has started to ferment.
- When in doubt, pour it out. And note the date next time.
Unopened bottles
Store them upright somewhere cool and dark, and check the best-by date. Some keep for a long time: Yes Cocktail Co. says its Amaro keeps for two to three years unopened.
Choosing a bottle? See Little Saints vs Ghia vs Seedlip and which spirits you can drink neat.
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Common questions
How long do non-alcoholic spirits last once opened?
Most keep about 12 weeks in the fridge, including Ritual, Lyre's and Little Saints. Ghia keeps about three weeks and Melati six; The Pathfinder up to a year. Check the label for your bottle.
Do non-alcoholic spirits need to be refrigerated?
Most do once opened, including Seedlip, Lyre's, Ghia and Melati. A few, such as Aplós, don't need the fridge. Follow the storage note on the label.
Why don't non-alcoholic spirits last as long as regular spirits?
Alcohol acts as a preservative. Without it, an open bottle behaves more like a cordial: air and warmth change the flavor over weeks.
How can you tell if a non-alcoholic spirit has gone bad?
A sour or musty smell, cloudiness where it was clear, anything growing in the bottle, or unexpected fizz. If in doubt, pour it out.
