A popular cream liqueur, RumChata is a sweet addition to cocktails, mixed drinks, and even desserts. Its creamy, cinnamon, sweet flavor makes it a good complement to seasonal drinks as well.
While it may be a great addition to a drink at the bar, you may struggle to use up a whole bottle at home. If you have a bottle left over from a party months ago, you might wonder if it has gone bad.
Here’s the deal: Since RumChata contains alcohol, it is unlikely there will be much bacterial growth.
Because of this, your flavored liqueur will spice up your drinks for many months and even up to a full year after opening.
What Is RumChata?
RumChata is made from scratch. A cream liqueur, RumChata’s flavor is modeled on horchata, a popular drink in Latin America made from rice, vanilla, sugar, and spices.
According to the company, the ingredients used in RumChata include:
- Rum
- Dairy Cream
- Cinnamon
- Vanilla
RumChata is a versatile liqueur that can be used in cocktails, desserts, and frozen beverages. Some popular uses include hot chocolate and martinis, but the liqueur can also be made into more unique indulgences like a RumChata root beer float or a RumChata cream soda.
Shelf Life Of RumChata
Because RumChata includes cream made from dairy, you might assume this makes it spoil quickly. However, you will find that a bottle of RumChata will liven up your beverages for many months or even up to a year.
The company states that an unopened bottle of RumChata will remain good for many years and will not lose its quality. Once the bottle has been cracked open, the company states that the liqueur should be good for around six months.
Storage Of RumChata
Since RumChata has a creamy base, it may seem like it needs to be refrigerated. However, the company claims that the cream is homogenized with rum and that the alcohol preserves the liqueur.
Similar to other rum-based products, RumChata can be stored at room temperature, even after being opened. While the liqueur may taste great cold, refrigerating it will not necessarily extend its shelf life.
While RumChata will remain good for up to six months, some factors will make it spoil faster. It should be kept away from any sources of heat, and the lid should always be tightly sealed.
Ideally, RumChata should be stored between 50-75 ° F, so a pantry or kitchen cabinet is perfect.
Help . . . Has My RumChata Gone Bad?
While the company recommends six months as the longevity for an opened bottle of RumChata, it can last for longer. After many months, it may lose some of its quality, though it does not necessarily mean it would be bad to consume.
Given the variety of uses for RumChata and its tasty flavor, you may find you won’t keep a bottle for long. But, if that bottle has been in your pantry or liquor cabinet for many months, you might start to question if it is still good.
If the bottle is unopened, it will likely still be fine. If the bottle has been opened, you should pay attention to any changes in its appearance or smell.
If there are any visual changes, such as discoloration or growth, the product should be discarded. If the product smells off, it may not be good to consume.
Though RumChata may lose some of its flavor quality over time, it likely will not be harmful to consume after many months or even a year after opening.
Tasty Tip: If you find that the RumChata has lost some of its flavor quality, but you do not want to run out for another bottle, you can extend its use. Try using it in a hot drink or blending it into a dessert. This may help make up for any loss of flavor.
RumChata In Summary
- RumChata is a flavorful liqueur that will spice up your mixed beverages or desserts.
- An unopened bottle of RumChata can last for many years and should be stored at room temperature.
- An opened bottle of RumChata will last for 6 to 12 months and can remain at room temperature.
- RumChata may not be bad to consume after many months of its opening, though it may lose some of its quality.
Although RumChata will remain good for many months, the company claims this tasty, tempting liqueur will be hard to keep on your shelf for that long.
