How Long Does Vermouth Last?
Reader Evan asks (in a nutshell): Does vermouth go bad?
Grab that bottle of vermouth that’s been sitting open in your liquor cabinet for a year and take a sip. Yeah, it goes bad. Real bad. Vermouth is basically just wine, after all.
But how long does it last after you open it? Conventional wisdom is all over the map, so I put the question to the experts at Noilly Prat. Their answer: After opening a bottle of vermouth it should be stored in the fridge, where it will keep for about three months.
There ya go. Here’s an idea: Replace your vermouth whenever you replace your fridge deodorizers.
January 21st, 2009 at 10:28 am
I refrigerate all my vermouth, tequila, mezcal, port, sherry, and mixers. I also keep my vodka and gin in the freezer, just to have it icy cold when making martinis.
January 21st, 2009 at 10:38 am
Do you have room for food in there? BTW there is no need to keep higher-proof spirits like tequila refrigerated (they never go “bad”)… unless you just like to keep them cold.
January 21st, 2009 at 11:47 am
I’m (mostly) with Blair. I keep my gin and vodka in the freezer, so there’s no need to shake them in ice to make martinis. I keep lower proof liquers and cordials in the refrigerator (e.g. St. Germain and Cherry Heering).
January 22nd, 2009 at 6:53 am
I own a small dorm sized fridge which is dedicated to cocktail ingredients. The only “food” items are cocktail onions, horseradish (for bloody marys), and any herbs (mint, borage, thyme, etc.)
Also forgot to mention I keep things like X-Rated and Hpnotiq in there too. They tend to ferment once opened.
April 15th, 2009 at 6:41 pm
Unless you drink them straight, keeping vodka or gin in the freezer makes no sense. Stirred or shaken, a civilized martinis needs the water absorbed from the ice in the shaker and if the liquor is already at freezing temperatures you will not achieve the necessary dilution. I’ve found that one hundred stirs using room temperature gin is perfect for a 6 to 1 martini.
I’m looking forward to the new Noilly Prat although I’ve been more than happy with the old formula for 50 years. Never tried the Lillet.
September 25th, 2009 at 8:56 am
The new Noilly Prat is a sweet formula. I highly recommend Vya X-Dry for your martinis. Dolin Rouge is a good red.
October 16th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
How long will an UN-OPENED bottle of Martini & Rossi Extra Dry Vermouth last. I know there probably isn’t any defining answer but I’d love some best guesses. Thanks
March 2nd, 2010 at 3:36 am
this small bottle of Martini Rossi Asti belongs to my 85yr old mum, she has had it in her fridge for years, yes, years. it has never been opened, but she has now remembered it and would like to drink it, will it still be safe for her to have, thanks
March 2nd, 2010 at 9:07 am
Anon – It will almost certainly be safe but will probably not taste very good. Splurge on the 5 bucks for a new bottle for Mum.