How Long Does Gin Last After Opening?

An opened bottle of gin will keep its character well for roughly a year or two if stored properly, and remains safe to drink well beyond that — it just may lose some brightness over time.

Gin doesn't spoil the way food does — its high ABV makes it inhospitable to the microbes that cause food to go off. What actually changes over time in an opened bottle is more subtle: gradual flavour drift, not safety.

What actually happens after opening

Once opened, a bottle has more airspace exposed to oxygen, and very slow oxidation and evaporation can occur over a long period. Volatile aromatic compounds — especially bright citrus and delicate floral botanicals — are the first to fade, which is why an old, mostly-empty bottle of gin can start to taste flatter or duller than a fresh one, even though it's still perfectly safe to drink.

A practical guideline

As a rough rule of thumb, most gin holds its best flavour for around 1–2 years after opening if stored properly (see storage tips below), though it will remain drinkable well beyond that — it simply may not taste quite as vibrant.

How to store an opened bottle

• Keep it sealed tightly between uses
• Store upright, away from direct sunlight and heat
• A cool, stable cupboard is ideal — the fridge or freezer is also fine if you prefer gin served cold (see "Should gin be stored in the freezer?")

If you have a bottle that's been open for a long time and it's largely finished, it's a good excuse to taste it against a fresh bottle of the same gin — a fun way to notice exactly how much flavour drift has actually happened.