The storage conditions dominate the freshness of a non-alcoholic Bloody Mary mix once opened and refrigerated. You need to ensure the cap is tightly closed when stored in the refrigerator. Bloody Mary mix that has been opened can last for up to 3 to 4 weeks in the fridge. A bottle of this beverage, if unopened, can stay put for longer in the refrigerator and at room temperature. This article will tell you how long the Bloody Mary mix lasts having in mind each of these factors.
If you want to know more about the proper storage conditions for an opened bottle of Bloody Mary mix, scroll down below. We will also discuss how to tell if the mixture has gone bad.
What is a Bloody Mary Mix?
Here is the list of ingredients added to this mix for those who never bothered to know what exactly goes inside a typical Bloody Mary mix. Knowing these ingredients is a must to understand the lifespan of an opened/unopened Bloody Mary mix.
- Tomato juice
- Horseradish
- Worcestershire sauce
- Tabasco sauce
- Lemons/limes
- Black pepper
- Celery salt
Some brands substitute tomato juice with other alternatives as it is short-lived, even when refrigerated.
Bloody Mary mix is a non-alcoholic mixture that can be combined with any choice of alcohol to make a cocktail. Many people buy this mix for cocktails and then wonder what to do with the leftover mix.
So, if you are wondering if this mix goes bad or not when opened and refrigerated, here is more on this subject.
How Long does Bloody Mary Mix Last?
Bloody Mary mix has an expiry date! But this expiry date can range from a few days to years depending upon the ingredients, storage conditions, and the open/closed status.
- An unopened bottle of Bloody Mary mix can last for several years when stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
- An opened bottle of Bloody Mary Mix can last for a few days to a few months depending upon its ingredients:
- If it contains tomato juice, it should be kept refrigerated and consumed within 3 to 4 weeks.
- If it does not contain tomato juice, it may last for six months when kept refrigerated.
Furthermore, an opened Bloody Mary mix should be refrigerated at or below 4 degrees Celsius. This temperature is ideal for preventing bacterial breeding and elongating the consumption quotient for as long as possible. Conversely, temperatures beyond 4 degrees Celcius can lead to food spoilage.
If your Bloody Mary mix has been left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours, it is not fit to be refrigerated again.
Any food or beverage left exposed to room temperature beyond 40 degrees Fahrenheit invites bacterial breeding. Therefore, it should be consumed immediately or discarded but not refrigerated again.
Is it Necessary to Refrigerate an Open Bloody Mary Mix?
Yes, an opened Bloody Mary mix needs to be refrigerated continuously. However, it can keep at its best quality for up to 4 weeks, depending upon its ingredients.
Mixes with tomato juice should mostly be consumed within four weeks after opening. Like the Stu’s Bloody Mary Mix, those that do not contain tomato juice should be continuously refrigerated after opening and used within six months.
How can you tell if the Bloody Mary Mix has Gone Bad?
If you want to know whether your Bloody Mary mix is fit for consumption or has gone bad, you need to check the odor, appearance, and taste. If the opened bottle emanates a foul odor, it has gone bad.
If it looks fine but tastes mild and not very flavorful, you also need to discard it. If the bottle shows signs of damage, then throw it away. If the liquid inside comes out clumpy, it is not fit for consumption.
How to Properly Store Bloody Mary Mix?
The storage methodology differs for opened and unopened bottles of Bloody Mary mix.
Unopened
- Unopened Bloody Mary mix can be stored in the refrigerator or outside at room temperature in a cool, dark place.
- Check the seal to ensure that it is tightly closed and air-tight.
- It will maintain its best quality for up to 18 months when stored this way.
Opened
- An opened Bloody Mary mix should be refrigerated continuously.
- The cap of the bottle should be tightly closed.
- It will maintain its best quality for up to 4 weeks when stored this way, depending upon the ingredients.
Can you get Sick from Drinking Expired Bloody Mary Mix?
The date of expiration given on a packaged food or beverage product is a tentative date provided by the manufacturer until which the product will retain its highest quality. After this date, the product may or may not be fit for consumption.
Drinking old or expired Bloody Mary mix should not make you sick unless it has gone bad. If the mix shows no spoilage, there is no probability of falling ill after drinking it.
If you drink a Bloody Mary mix that has gone bad, you may experience food poisoning, including diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea.
But, if the Bloody Mary mix was in perfect condition, and yet you fall sick after consumption, it could be because of its spice quotient. These mixes are typically spicy, and spicy foods contain capsaicin. This chemical may irritate and trigger the digestive tract, leading to diarrhea.
If you have diarrhea because of capsaicin in your food, it should resolve quickly, and there is no need to worry.
FAQs
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Does Bloody Mary mix contain alcohol?
Bloody Mary mix does not contain alcohol. Instead, it is a non-alcoholic mix of tomato juice and some spices to add flavor to cocktails and mocktails.
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Why is Bloody Mary mix good for hangovers?
The ingredients present in a Bloody Mary mix deliver sodium, potassium, and antioxidants, thereby balancing the nutrient levels in the body that get disturbed during a hangover.
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Can Bloody Mary Mix be used for non-alcoholic drinks as well?
You can make alcoholic as well as non-alcoholic drinks with Bloody Mary mix. A typical non-alcoholic drink with Bloody Mary mix is known as Virgin Mary.
Conclusion
When opened, a typical Bloody Mary mix can last up to 4 weeks depending upon the ingredients. Most brands make this mix with tomato juice. If stored properly, these can last for up to 4 weeks, and mixes without tomato juice can last up to 6 months in the refrigerator after opening.
Unopened Bloody Mary mixes can last for 18 months when stored in a cool, dry, and dark place.
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