Do Cream Liqueurs Need To Be Refrigerated?
Normally, any dairy-based product would need to be refrigerated. But, what if you add alcohol into the mix in the form of a good, cream liqueur? Do cream liqueurs need to be refrigerated?
Cream liqueurs are shelf-stable. This means that even when opened they do not need to be kept in the fridge. Although, it is recommended that you do. Chilled cream liqueurs taste so much better than warm liqueurs.
On this page, we’ll let you know why you don’t need to refrigerate them. We’ll even tell you how long your bottle of cream liqueur will last once you’ve opened it.
Do Cream Liqueurs Need to be Refrigerated?
This is always going to depend on the cream liqueur, but most of them won’t need to be refrigerated after opening. Some companies will recommend that you refrigerate their product, but this is for taste purposes rather than to protect you from getting sick.
We know this sounds odd. For most other cream-based products, you would need to refrigerate them. Dairy is prone to spoiling very quickly. However, this isn’t the case with cream liqueurs. Because they have been loaded up with alcohol, the environment is almost inhospitable to bacteria. You don’t have to worry about it at all. Well, at least not for a very, very long time.
However, just because you don’t have to refrigerate cream liqueurs doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t. In fact, we highly recommend that you do. We don’t think we’ve ever drank a cream liqueur that tastes good warm. It should always be a little bit chilled.
You should also remember that cream liqueurs should never really be stored in direct sunlight or somewhere warm. This can hamper the flavor. It just so happens that the coolest place to keep your alcohol is in the fridge.
How Long Do Cream Liqueurs Last Once Opened?
Again, this is something that is going to be highly dependent on the cream liqueur that you have purchased. Most bottles will give guidelines for how long they should last once opened.
In our experience, most brands should last 6-12 months after opening. It doesn’t matter whether the bottle is kept in the fridge or in a cool, dry location in your home. The lifespan is the same.
It is important to remember that these drinks will last a lot less than your typical alcohol once opened. This is because while the cream will spoil slowly, it will eventually spoil. This is especially true if you’re leaving the bottle open for long periods of time. If you notice any of the following, then we recommend that you throw the drink away:
- An off-odor develops. Some may liken it to sour milk.
- The flavor becomes very sour. Again, very similar to sour milk.
- The color changes drastically.
How Long Does an Opened Bottle of Cream Liqueur Last in the Fridge?
It could be several years. You’ll need to look at the expiry date on the bottle. Most should remain drinkable for at least 2-4 years after manufacture.
Storing Your Cream Liqueur Correctly
If you’ve got a good cream liqueur to hand, then you’ll want to savor every last drop. We hope the tips in this section will ensure that your refrigerated drink will taste great from the first drop to the very last.
Make Sure The Fridge Isn’t Too Cold
Alcohol doesn’t freeze, but cream does. This is why you cannot put your drink in the freezer.
You want your fridge to be somewhere between 35-38°F. If it is too cold, the cream may start to solidify. If this happens, then the flavor will be impaired. Even when the drink thaws out, small ice crystals will stay behind. These will change the texture, and your liqueur will become nigh on undrinkable.
Thankfully, most fridges will allow you to easily set the temperature. It should only be dropping low enough to freeze the cream if you turn the dial that low (or if there is something wrong with the fridge).
Take a look at some of the interesting articles we have on our website Do Cooked Sausage Balls Need To Be Refrigerated?, Do Coconut Macaroons Need To Be Refrigerated?, Do Core Power Shakes Need To Be Refrigerated?, and Do Corn Tortillas Need To Be Refrigerated?
Keep The Bottled Sealed Shut
The drink will start going rancid if it is constantly exposed to the air. So, it is important that you keep the bottle screwed shut when it is in the fridge. The smallest gap in the cap could quickly shorten the drink’s lifespan to just a few weeks. In rare cases, it may turn rancid sooner than that.
Only Store in the Bottle
If you want to store the drink properly in your refrigerator, it is vital that you only keep it in the bottle that it came in. Do not store it in a glass. At least not for more than a few hours. Once again, the air will turn the cream rancid if the drink is left exposed to it for too long.
Final Thoughts
Do cream liqueurs need to be refrigerated? No, they don’t. The alcohol content should keep the bacteria at bay. However, we still recommend that you put it in the fridge. A cold cream liqueur tastes so much better than a warm one.
