Starbucks bottled cold brew is a popular ready-to-drink coffee beverage loved by many. But a common question people have is whether it ever goes bad or expires. Let’s take a detailed look at how long Starbucks bottled cold brew lasts and if it eventually goes bad.
Does Starbucks Bottled Cold Brew Expire?
Yes, Starbucks bottled cold brew does expire and go bad eventually. Like any other packaged food or beverage, it has a shelf life and will degrade in quality over time.
Starbucks prints a best by date on all its bottled cold brew products. This date tells you how long the unopened cold brew will remain at peak quality and flavor.
So as long as the bottle is unopened, the cold brew will taste freshly brewed and optimal up until the printed best by date. However, it’s important to note the best by date is not an expiration date.
How Long Does Bottled Starbucks Cold Brew Last?
An unopened bottle of Starbucks cold brew will maintain peak quality for:
- 9-12 months from the packaging date if stored properly.
- About 1 week after opening if refrigerated.
The following table summarizes how long bottled Starbucks cold brew lasts given different storage conditions:
| Storage Condition | Shelf Life |
|---|---|
| Unopened, room temperature | 9-12 months |
| Unopened, refrigerated | Up to 12 months |
| Opened, refrigerated | 5-7 days |
As you can see, unopened cold brew lasts for quite a long time. The shelf life is shorter once opened, but it still keeps for a good week when stored properly.
How to Tell if Bottled Cold Brew Has Gone Bad
Here are some signs that your Starbucks bottled cold brew has expired and gone bad:
- Sour or unpleasant flavors
- Flat or lack of robust, smooth coffee taste
- Mold growth
- Fizziness or carbonation
- Changes in consistency and texture
- Unpleasant odors
Cold brew is known for its inherently sweeter, smoother taste compared to traditional iced coffee. So if you notice your cold brew starts tasting more bitter, sour, or odd, that’s a red flag.
Visually inspect the bottle as well. Development of mold or extreme separation of ingredients signals the cold brew is spoiled.
Does Refrigeration Extend the Shelf Life?
Yes, refrigerating unopened and opened Starbucks cold brew can help extend its shelf life. The chilled temperature better preserves the coffee and slows degradation.
An unopened bottle will last for up to 12 months in the fridge past the bottling date. And an opened bottle will maintain quality for 5-7 days.
Without refrigeration, an unopened bottle lasts for 9-12 months. So refrigeration can provide a few extra months of freshness.
Tips to Make Your Cold Brew Last
Here are some tips to get the longest shelf life out of your Starbucks bottled cold brew:
- Store unopened bottles at room temperature away from direct sunlight.
- Once opened, seal the bottle and immediately refrigerate.
- Drink refrigerated cold brew within 5-7 days.
- Check the best by date and don’t purchase bottles that are close to expiring.
- Keep the lid tightly sealed to prevent oxygen exposure.
- Don’t store in the door of your fridge where the temperature fluctuates.
Following proper storage methods will help maintain optimal flavor and prevent premature spoilage.
Can You Drink Cold Brew Past the Best By Date?
You can still drink Starbucks cold brew for a short period past its best by date, but quality and taste will start declining.
How long it lasts exactly depends on storage conditions. An unopened bottle stored at room temperature may taste alright up to 2 weeks past its date. A refrigerated bottle lasts a little longer.
But most people find the coffee starts tasting stale, changes texture, and loses its robust flavor around the best by date.
It’s not dangerous or unsafe to consume, but you likely won’t get an enjoyable drinking experience. Check the signs of spoilage and do a taste/smell test if drinking past the date.
Should You Freeze Extra Bottles?
Freezing extra bottles of Starbucks cold brew can prolong the shelf life for several months. But proper storage is key for retaining quality. Here are some tips:
- Only freeze unopened, never-before-frozen bottles.
- Leave at least 1/2 inch of headspace to allow for expansion.
- Use airtight freezer bags or containers.
- Store for up to 2-3 months at 0°F.
- Thaw in the refrigerator before drinking.
Freezing too long can cause texture changes and oxidation. But overall, it can extend the shelf life of unopened cold brew quite a bit if done properly.
Can Expired Cold Brew Make You Sick?
Consuming Starbucks cold brew a few weeks past its best by date is very unlikely to make you sick.
It’s typically just a quality issue – the taste declines and texture changes. But the drink does not become hazardous or dangerous.
However, if mold grows or you notice signs of spoilage, it’s best to toss the bottle. Ingredients like dairy can more readily grow harmful bacteria when truly expired and spoiled.
So as long as it’s within a few weeks of the printed date and properly stored, it should not cause illness or health issues. But always inspect before drinking and toss at any signs of spoilage.
Conclusion
Starbucks bottled cold brew does expire and go bad eventually. But unopened bottles stay fresh for 9-12 months, and opened bottles last 5-7 days in the fridge.
Check the best by date, store properly, and refrigerate after opening to get the longest shelf life. Look for changes in taste, texture, and appearance to identify spoiled cold brew.
While it’s not recommended, you can likely consume bottled cold brew for a short period past its date if properly stored. But the quality declines over time. Freezing unopened bottles can also extend the shelf life for a few extra months.
As long as consumed within a couple weeks of the printed date, expired Starbucks cold brew should not make you sick. But always toss at any signs of spoilage like mold or curdling to be safe. Following proper storage and checking freshness will keep your cold brew tasting delicious.