Quick Answer
It’s generally not recommended to drink iced coffee that is more than 2 days old. After 3 days, iced coffee is more likely to grow harmful bacteria and become unsafe to drink. However, if the iced coffee has been stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator, it may still be safe for consumption after 3 days, though the taste and quality will likely degrade. Proceed with caution if drinking 3 day old iced coffee.
How Long Does Brewed Iced Coffee Last?
Freshly brewed iced coffee will usually last 1-2 days when stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The colder temperature helps slow bacterial growth and oxidation that causes iced coffee to go bad. Here are some general guidelines for how long iced coffee lasts refrigerated:
| Type of Iced Coffee | Refrigerator Shelf Life |
|---|---|
| Plain brewed iced coffee | 1-2 days |
| Iced coffee with milk/cream | 1 day |
| Cold brew iced coffee | 3-4 days |
As you can see, plain iced coffee without any dairy added has a slightly longer shelf life of about 2 days. The dairy in iced coffee with milk or cream causes it to spoil faster. Cold brew style iced coffee lasts longer, around 3-4 days, due to the lower temperature brewing method that results in lower acidity. But no matter what type of iced coffee it is, once 3 days pass, it’s best to discard rather than drink.
How to Tell if Iced Coffee Has Gone Bad
Here are some signs that indicate your iced coffee has spoiled and should be thrown out:
– Change in color – Fresh brewed coffee is typically a rich, dark brown. If it turns lighter brown or takes on a grayish tinge, that’s a red flag.
– Mold growth – Check closely for spots of mold or fuzz on the surface of the coffee. Mold on iced coffee means it’s past safe drinking quality.
– Sour smell – Give the coffee a sniff. If it smells unpleasantly sour or funky, it has likely started to ferment with bacteria and should be discarded.
– Strange taste – An overly bitter, acidic, or funky taste when you sip it can indicate iced coffee has spoiled. Even cold, coffee should taste smooth and freshly brewed.
– Layer separation – If your iced coffee separates into layers rather than being an emulsion, that’s a sign it has gone bad.
Trust your senses – if the coffee doesn’t look, smell or taste normal, play it safe and make a fresh batch rather than risk drinking rancid iced coffee.
Why Does Iced Coffee Go Bad?
There are two main culprits that cause iced coffee to spoil and become undrinkable over time:
Bacterial Growth
Even when kept chilled in the fridge, iced coffee still provides an environment where bacteria can multiply over the days. Pseudomonas, Bacillus and Staphylococcus are common types of bacteria that can grow in iced coffee and cause it to become unfit for drinking.
Oxidation
Exposure to oxygen causes the natural compounds in coffee like lipids and chlorogenic acids to oxidize or break down. This leads to stale, rancid flavors. The cooling of the coffee speeds up this oxidation process compared to hot coffee.
How to Store Iced Coffee to Maximize Freshness
Proper storage is key if you want your iced coffee to stay fresh for as long as possible:
– Use an airtight container – Store your iced coffee in a sealed container without much airspace at the top to limit oxygen exposure. Mason jars or opaque plastic jugs with tight sealing lids work great.
– Refrigerate right away – Don’t leave brewed iced coffee sitting out at room temperature. Refrigerate it within 30 minutes of brewing.
– Don’t reuse old coffee – Avoid “topping off” an old batch of iced coffee with fresh coffee. This introduces new bacteria and oxidation.
– Check for separation – If your iced coffee separates with layers, shake or stir it back together before drinking to redistribute the flavor evenly.
– Keep coffee equipment clean – Be sure coffee makers, pitchers and containers stay clean to minimize bacterial contamination.
With proper refrigeration and an airtight container, you can enjoy fresh iced coffee for up to 2-3 days before the quality deteriorates. But once you hit that 3 day mark, it’s ideal to brew a new batch.
Can I Make 3 Day Old Iced Coffee Safe to Drink?
While not recommended, there are some methods you can try to salvage 3 day old iced coffee if you don’t want to waste it:
– Reheat it – Heating iced coffee back up to 165°F for at least 10 minutes can help kill some bacteria. But this doesn’t improve the oxidized flavor.
– Add fresh coffee – Mixing the old iced coffee with newly brewed coffee dilutes the bacterial load and stale compounds.
– Brew cold brew concentrate – Making a fresh cold brew concentrate and mixing it with the old iced coffee masks some of the staleness.
– Add flavorings – Stirring in vanilla, chocolate or other syrups or sweeteners can mask off-flavors. But the bacteria still remain.
– Use in cooking/baking – One way to safely salvage old iced coffee is to incorporate it into recipes like cakes, muffins or chili. Cooking kills bacteria.
Really though, the best option is to drink iced coffee within the first 1-2 days and make a fresh batch after that. With just a bit of planning, you can avoid having to gulp down 3 day old, potentially risky iced coffee.
FAQs
Can I drink cold brew coffee after 5 days?
It’s not recommended. Even cold brew coffee should be thrown out after sitting in the fridge for 5 days. The cooler steeping method used to make cold brew coffee doesn’t completely prevent bacterial growth and staling over time. Drink cold brew within 3-4 days for best flavor and safety.
Does iced coffee go bad if left out overnight?
Yes, you should avoid drinking iced coffee that has sat at room temperature overnight. The combination of warmth and air exposure provides ideal conditions for rapid bacterial multiplication. Refrigeration is necessary to extend the shelf life of brewed iced coffee beyond several hours.
Can you microwave 3 day old coffee?
Technically yes, you can microwave older coffee to reheat it. This may destroy some bacteria due to the high heat. However, microwaving does nothing to improve the oxidized, stale taste of old coffee. It’s better to brew a fresh batch if your coffee is 3 days old.
Does adding cream or milk make iced coffee go bad faster?
Yes, dairy products like cream or milk introduce bacteria that multiply faster at refrigerator temperatures compared to plain black iced coffee. The dairy also breaks down faster, causing an unpleasant curdled taste. For maximum freshness, store iced coffee without cream or milk added.
The Bottom Line
Enjoy freshly brewed iced coffee within 1-2 days for the best flavor and food safety. Discard any remaining iced coffee after 3 days – it becomes increasingly likely to harbor dangerous bacteria at that point and the taste declines significantly. With proper refrigerated storage in an airtight container, you can have delicious iced coffee anytime without having to resort to drinking a stale 3 day old batch.