Storing your alcohol in this one place could be causing it to evaporate
Where you store bottles of spirits in your home could be affecting its alcohol content and causing it to evaporate, according to one expert.
The majority of households have a specific cupboard or unit where they keep their booze, but unbeknown to many this could be affecting it's quality.
According to Pauline Martin Rodriguez, cocktail expert and bartending consultant at DrinksWorld, you shouldn't be storing your whiskey, vodka or wine in your kitchen.
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This is because temperatures in the kitchen fluctuate regularly. Every time you cook, use the oven or boil water, the room temperature and humidity changes. This can be very harmful to spirits and wine left out. Bottles with wooden corks can even be at risk of mould due to the humidity and condensation can occur leading to evaporation and even flavour changes.
As well as the changes in heat and humidity, kitchens can be exposed to direct sunlight which can accelerate evaporation and break down the delicate compounds in spirits and cause them to lose flavour. Unfortunately, even if you think a bottle looks good on your sunny countertop, the light exposure will accelerate the deterioration of its contents.
Pauline believes the best place to store unopened spirits is a cool and dark space like a cabinet or closed shelf, away from windows and heat sources. If you do want to display your bottles then be sure they are in a spot away from direct sunlight.
Bottles should be stored upright too. When laid flat, the alcohol can interact with cork or cap, again leading to flavour changes and even leakage. High-proof spirits like gin and vodka don't need to be kept in the fridge but if you do enjoy them cold, it is fine to do so (the freezer works fine too for spirits over 40% ABV).
Once a bottle is opened, it’s especially important to store it in the right way. High-proof spirits like whiskey, rum or tequila need to be sealed tightly to minimise evaporation.
Vacuum caps are also great or you can fill the bottle with glass beads to reduce air exposure. For those drinks that contain dairy or eggs, such as liqueurs like Bailey’s or other Irish cream, it’s crucial to keep them refrigerated once opened. This is because they’re more prone to spoilage because the alcohol content isn’t strong enough to preserve them completely.
Fortified wines like port or sherry require specialist storage. Once opened, they must be refrigerated and consumed within 8 weeks maximum to avoid oxidation. Regular wine should be stored horizontally in a dark and temperature stable environment before opening. Places like a basement or cellar are ideal.
Pauline said: "In short, it’s important to treat your bottles like an investment. A little care goes a long way in ensuring your favourite drinks taste their very best, each and every time you pour."
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