Here's How To Properly Store Unopened And Opened Vodka

Whether you prefer your favorite vodka neat, on ice, or in a cocktail really doesn't matter. The clear spirit is one of Americas's favorite liquors. Statista tells us that, on average, Americans have consumed roughly 10,000 liters of the clear elixir every year over the last few years, and its growing popularity is indisputable. Some industry insiders, like SeekBottles, have even called vodka a fashion trend.

Walk into almost any bar, and you will see it being served iced or in a wide variety of cocktails. You may have noticed that it almost always tastes better when served by a professional than when at home. You might think that this is due to the ambiance of your local bar or some special magic that professional bartenders have. The truth is that it could simply be because of how you store your vodka. We don't often give it much consideration, but knowing how to keep your vodka fresh can significantly impact how drinkable it is.

While most experts agree to keep Vodka out of direct sunlight, proper storage temperature seems to stir up some controversy. Professional bartender and co-owner of Pouring Ribbons and Alchemy Consulting, Jason Cott, told TODAY that alcohol bottles should never be kept in a freezer. Whether opened or not, they should be kept at room temperature and sitting upright. In his opinion, chilled or, even worse, ice-cold vodka doesn't react properly when used for cocktails and throws off the taste.

In contrast, Jonathan Hemi of Crystal Head Vodka told Martha Stewart in an interview he prefers to keep his vodka in the freezer. However, experts from Grey Goose recommend storing sealed vodka bottles slightly below room temperature at temperatures you might find in a wine cellar.

The points that all seem to agree on is that, unlike wine, vodka should always be stored in an upright position, away from sunlight or in areas where it will become too warm. Heat can cause the spirit to oxidize, altering its flavor and its alcohol content to evaporate. 

Just as with unopened bottles, what you should do with an open bottle is not exactly cut and dry. Grey Goose recommends that once you open a bottle, you should keep it in a refrigerator to preserve its flavor and potency. They recommend storing vodka between 32 and 34 degrees Fahrenheit (0-5 degrees Celsius), noting that you should never let it freeze.

Just as with unopened bottles, Jason Cott recommends storing open bottles of vodka at room temperature. He explained to TODAY, that when you serve vodka chilled, you lose some of the aromatic and botanical flavors that separate one vodka from another.

Again the points that everyone seems to agree on are to keep your bottles standing, and avoid high temperatures and sunlight, so the spirits don't evaporate and oxidize. Beyond these general guidelines, how you store your vodka seems to be a matter of taste, preference, and the length of time you will hold onto the bottle. As with any food item, once opened, Vodka will deteriorate over time (via Liquor Laboratory).