Do Sodas Go Bad?

This post may contain affiliate links. I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.

A quality soda can stay fresh for several weeks or even months when kept in a cool place.

But a bad one could spoil quickly.

Here’s everything you need to know about how to keep your favorite carbonated beverages fresh and delicious — including how to tell if a soda has gone bad.

Do sodas go bad?

If you’ve ever bought a soda at the grocery store and noticed that it has an odd flavor or smell, then chances are it went bad.

The best way to avoid this problem is to buy your sodas in bulk and store them in the fridge.

That way, you won’t have to worry about opening the bottle more than once every few days.

Sodas

How long do sodas last?

As long as they are kept cold and sealed, most sodas will last up to six months.

However, that depends on how much sugar is in them.

The less sugar, the longer they will last.

Most sodas contain between 20 and 30 grams of carbs per 12 ounces (355 mL).

A 12 ounce (355 mL) bottle of Coke contains around 40 grams of sugar.

This means that a 12 ounce (355 mL) bottle of Coke will last roughly three to four weeks before it becomes too sweet.

However, a 16 ounce (473 mL) bottle of Coca-Cola has only 22 grams of sugar, meaning it will last closer to two weeks.

The same goes for Sprite. A 16 ounce (473 mL) bottle of Sprite contains 24 grams of sugar, which means it will last one week, while a 12 ounce (355 mL) bottle lasts two weeks.

What causes sodas to go bad?

There are several reasons why sodas can become stale and lose their flavor.

Some of these include:

  • Moisture
  • High temperature
  • Light
  • Oxygen
  • Deterioration of ingredients

For instance, if you open a soda and don’t replace the air inside the bottle with new air very fast, it will start to degrade.

In addition, if you don’t seal the bottle tightly enough, moisture will seep into the container, causing the soda to go stale.

Sodas

How can you tell if a soda is bad?

You can test some of the common symptoms of a bad soda by keeping a close eye on its appearance.

Here are some things to look out for:

  • Change in color
  • Discoloration
  • Rancid odor
  • Gummy texture
  • Taste changes
  • Cloudiness

You can also just check the expiration date on the label.

If the bottle says it expires after 90 days, then it’s probably been sitting in a warm area for too long.

Can bad sodas make you sick?

It’s possible that drinking a soda that has gone bad could cause you to get sick.

However, there isn’t any scientific evidence that proves this.

It is important to note that most people who consume bad sodas do not get sick.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “the risk of getting ill from consuming a spoiled beverage is low.”

In fact, many people who consume bad sodas say that they don’t feel any different afterward.

So, unless you experience other symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or cramps, you probably aren’t at risk of getting sick from a bad soda.

How should you store sodas to prevent them from going bad?

It’s best to keep all sodas in the refrigerator to ensure that they remain fresh.

You can also use ice packs to keep them chilled.

If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them in a zip-top bag.

Keep in mind that freezing does not kill bacteria, so it’s still recommended that you keep them refrigerated until you finish them.

Is it safe to drink a soda that has gone bad?

If you’re worried about consuming a soda that has gone bad, you can simply pour it down the drain.

Just remember to remove the cap first.

However, it’s better to discard the bottle rather than put it back in the fridge.

Refrigerating it will just prolong the life of the soda because it will continue to deteriorate.

If you want to save the bottle, you can wash it and reuse it later.

What should you do with a bad soda?

If you find that a soda has gone bad, you can return it to the store where you purchased it.

While you might think that the store would take care of the situation, it’s actually up to you to do so.

Some stores will accept the bottle back, but others will ask you to dispose of it properly.

When in doubt, it’s always best to take it back to the store.

Does soda go bad after opened?

If you accidentally open a soda and don’t immediately pour it out, it will continue to deteriorate over time.

This process takes about seven days.

After that, the soda will begin to lose its flavor and become increasingly sour.

The longer you wait to pour it out, the faster it will go bad.

Do sodas go bad in the heat?

Yes, sodas can go bad in the heat.

As we mentioned earlier, high temperatures can cause the deterioration of certain ingredients.

For example, if you store a soda in direct sunlight, it will turn sour faster.

To prevent this from happening, you can place the bottle in a cooler or freezer to slow down the process.

Does soda rot your stomach?

No, eating soda doesn’t cause food poisoning or stomach acid reflux.

In fact, the FDA recommends that you eat a small amount of soda each day.

According to the Mayo Clinic, “people who drink soda daily may have a lower risk of developing cavities.”

Can you leave soda in a hot garage?

Yes, you can leave soda out in the sun in the summertime without worrying about it going bad.

However, it’s best to keep it in the shade.

Also, if you live in a climate that gets extremely hot, you should keep soda in the fridge instead of leaving it outside.

Does soda go bad after opened?

Yes, soda does go bad after being opened.

The longer that you leave it open, the worse it will get.

Once you open a soda, it will start to deteriorate.

Eventually, it will become overly acidic and sour.

At this point, it’s best to toss it out.

Do you have any tips for storing soda?

Store all sodas in the fridge to extend their shelf life.

Also, be sure to drink them within seven to 10 days of purchase to avoid spoiling.

Homemade Soda

Homemade Soda

It's easier than you probably thought to make delicious, all-natural soft drinks in your own home. In this recipe, we offer three different refreshing options.
Calories 2436 kcal

Ingredients
  

Raspberry Ginger Soda Ingredients

  • 1/2 – 3/4 cup water
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup raspberries frozen
  • 1/2 vanilla bean split and scraped
  • 1 tbsp crystallized ginger chopped

Vanilla Lime Soda Ingredients

  • 1/2 – 3/4 cup water
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup lime juice
  • 1/2 vanilla bean split and scraped

Lemon Drop Soda Ingredients

  • 1/2 – 3/4 cup water
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp lemon peel

Instructions
 

  • Decide which type of soda you’d like to make, and combine the ingredients in a heavy saucepan.
  • Bring to a boil, then turn down the heat and let simmer until the mixture is reduced by half. (To intensify the flavor, you can add a dash of an appropriately flavored extract.)
  • Store the finished syrup in a squeeze bottle in the refrigerator for instant access.
  • To make homemade soda, simply add a desired amount of syrup to a glass of ice and top off with seltzer water or club soda.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 2436kcalCarbohydrates: 632gProtein: 2gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gSodium: 57mgPotassium: 381mgFiber: 5gSugar: 615gVitamin A: 91IUVitamin C: 107mgCalcium: 80mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Latest posts by Grace Lambert (see all)

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




Previous

How Long Does Distilled Water Last?

Does Triple Sec Go Bad?

Next