Amaretto is a sweet Italian liqueur that can be made of apricot kernels, peach stones, or almonds. It has a delicious almond flavor and can be drunk on its own, as part of a cocktail, or even used in baking.
Maybe you have raided your cabinets and found a bottle lurking at the back. You have no idea how old it is or whether it’s still safe to consume.
Well, you’ve come to the right place.
Here’s the bottom line: Like most alcohols, amaretto is unlikely to spoil. However, it can deteriorate in taste and quality.
Even so, you can safely keep drinking from a bottle of amaretto for several years as long as you store it properly.
Shelf Life Of Amaretto
Because of its high alcohol content (amaretto contains 21-28% alcohol by volume), it is very unlikely for bacteria to develop in amaretto. This means it remains safe to consume almost indefinitely. Of course, the high alcohol content comes with its own dangers, but spoilage is not one of them!
Even though amaretto will not actually spoil for many years, it will begin to deteriorate in taste and quality after a certain amount of time. Some purists put that at six months, but amaretto will probably be enjoyable for at least a few years after opening. If it’s unopened, it can stay good for up to 20 years.
It’s up to you whether you think your amaretto still tastes good or not. Even after the taste has begun to change, this doesn’t mean it has spoiled. Don’t throw it away, as it is still a perfectly good ice cream topping or baking ingredient!
Of course, it is not impossible for amaretto to go bad. If you leave it out, unopened, in a hot and humid place and contaminants get in, it’s not a good idea to keep drinking it.
Proper Storage Of Amaretto
In order to keep your amaretto in peak quality, store it somewhere dry and dark, away from heat sources and sunlight. The pantry or a liquor cabinet works just fine.
Many people like to drink amaretto chilled. If this is you, you may want to refrigerate it. However, it is not necessary to keep amaretto in the fridge.
The main thing to remember about storing amaretto is to keep it properly sealed. Exposure to oxygen makes amaretto begin to change in flavor, so avoid that as much as possible to keep its quality for longer.
What Causes Deterioration Of Amaretto?
The main cause of the deterioration of amaretto is oxidation. If you really want to maintain the quality of your amaretto for as long as possible, you could decant it into a smaller bottle when a significant amount has been drunk. This will limit its exposure to oxygen.
Another factor is temperature fluctuations. This is why you should keep your amaretto somewhere relatively cool and avoid exposure to sunlight.
Lastly, if contaminants get in, they can cause amaretto to go bad. This is another reason to make sure the bottle cap is always on and properly sealed.
Is This Amaretto Still Good?
A bottle of amaretto may come with a best-before date. However, this refers more to quality than safety, so passing the best-before date is not a cause for concern.
As previously mentioned, due to its alcohol content, amaretto is unlikely to spoil as long as it is stored properly. However, it is not impossible, so if you haven’t drunk from the bottle in a while, it’s a good idea to check it before consuming.
If the color of your amaretto has changed significantly, it’s probably best to discard it. Also, if there are any visible contaminants, throw the amaretto away. And of course, if it tastes bad to you, trust your gut and don’t consume any more.
What is more likely than actual spoilage is that after some time, your amaretto may begin to change in flavor and not taste quite as delicious as it once did. However, a change in flavor does not indicate spoilage unless the flavor is actually a bad one.
The best advice is to use your own judgment. If the amaretto tastes bad or strange, throw it out. If it has just changed a bit in flavor, you can still drink it if you want. Even amaretto that has deteriorated a bit in quality can still be good in cocktails or as a baking ingredient.
In Summary
- Amaretto is unlikely to go bad, but it may begin to deteriorate in taste and quality.
- Amaretto will probably still taste good for 3-5 years after opening if stored properly, while unopened amaretto will be good almost indefinitely.
- Even after amaretto begins to change in flavor, it can still be safe to consume.
- Keep your amaretto bottle sealed, and store it somewhere dark and dry and away from heat sources. The fridge is fine, but the cabinet is just as good.
- If the amaretto tastes really bad, has changed in color, or has been exposed to contaminants, throw it out.
Amaretto is a delicious almond-flavored drink. It is unlikely to spoil, but it can begin to change its flavor after a few years. Even if it doesn’t taste great on the rocks any longer, it can still work fine as a cocktail or baking ingredient.
