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Margarita mix can be a convenient mixology shortcut to have on hand when prepping your go-to marg, but you may be wondering how long it lasts after you’ve opened it. Margarita mixes generally contain a combination of water, lime juice, and sweetener such as agave syrup. While a homemade mix of the sour, tequila-based drink will usually combine real sugar and fresh lime juice, premade mixes often contain high fructose corn syrup and citric acid. Due to added preservatives that prolong the shelf life, the latter will last longer in your fridge after opened — up to six weeks — especially if they contain alcohol. If you’ve been trying to make the perfect margarita from scratch, be aware that a mix with fresh lime should be tossed after two weeks. For optimal flavor and freshness, a homemade sour blend should be consumed within a week.
Homemade and store-bought mixes should be stored in the fridge with lids tightly sealed after opening; there are a myriad of glass bottle options that come with secure lids to hold cocktail mixes made at home, such as the Bormioli Rocco Swing Bottle. If you happen to have misplaced the cap to your premade mix, covering the top with cling wrap or aluminum foil and securing with a rubber band will do. Eventually, though, both homemade mixes and commercial versions will start to look and smell funky. Here’s how to tell the state of your margarita mix.
Signs that margarita mix has expired
One of the most popular cocktails of all time, the margarita is beloved for its tangy, refreshing taste that hits just right in the summer months. Margs are bursting with citrusy flavor, but the citrus element is actually what makes margarita mix go bad quickly as it’s highly susceptible to spoiling due to mold or bacteria growth. There will be a few giveaways that your mix, whether homemade or bought, is no longer ideal for consumption. When opening it, you may note a distinctly sour odor that is not fresh; it will smell stronger or just “off.” Take note of the color, too, because it may start to look cloudy, dull, or otherwise discolored when it’s past its prime. Another obvious sign of expiration is the presence of floating particles or sediment near the bottom, indicating that your drink mix is developing mold or bacteria.
So, especially when using fresh-squeezed lime juice in your margarita mix, the sooner you drink it, the better. To reduce food waste, you might try freezing your mix to stave off the growth of anything funky when it’s nearing the end of its freshness. While a store-bought mix may still be safe to drink after its stated expiration date, it simply won’t taste as good. And after all, a tasty, vibrant margarita is what we’re after.
