So you made a delicious coffee and want to know how long iced coffee is good for in the fridge. Or maybe you’re worried if you left your delicious coffee in the refrigerator, it’s going to turn into room temperature swill by the time you get back.
How Long Is Iced Coffee Good for in the Fridge?
Iced coffee is good in the fridge for about a week, provided it is without sugar or milk, and it is kept in an airtight container at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. You can keep iced or chilled coffee mixed with milk in the fridge for up to two days. After removing it from the fridge, reheat the coffee until room temperature has been reached to eliminate bacteria in the milk.
When you store your coffee in the refrigerator, separate the milk and coffee and mix them individually for each serving. Because milk is a perishable product, the milk-based chilled coffee won’t last longer than two hours at room temperature because of the bacteria’s fast growth.
How to Store Iced Coffee Properly in the Fridge
There are some things you need to keep in mind when storing coffee in the refrigerator to ensure it stays fresh for as long as possible:
Use Fresh Ingredients
Ensure that all the ingredients used to make your iced coffee are fresh before making them into a batch of chilled coffee. This includes using clean water, milk, and fresh ground beans instead of stale ones. This will help prevent bacteria from growing in your drink and causing spoilage.
Store Coffee in an Upright Airtight Container
Make sure that your container has an airtight seal when storing coffee in the fridge so that no moisture gets into the drink or that it won’t absorb the smell of other food items in your fridge. Many storage options include glass jars or airtight plastic containers with lids. You can also use a resealable plastic bag; just make sure to squeeze out any excess air before sealing it.
If your container doesn’t have a lid, place an unused paper towel or napkin over the top of your beverage and secure it with rubber bands or tape. This will help keep out excess moisture, so your drink stays fresh longer.
When storing chilled coffee in the refrigerator, ensure they’re stored upright so that no water can get into them if there are leaks or breaks in its seals. This will keep them tasting fresher longer!
Leave Room for Expansion
If you’re using a glass container like a mason jar or drinking directly from the bottle of cold brew concentrate, leave enough room at the top for expansion as it freezes. You’ll be glad you did when your drink expands and overflows onto everything else in your fridge!
Why Does Ice Coffee Go Bad in the Fridge?
Iced coffee is a summertime favorite, with 77 percent of ice coffee drinkers in the U.S. saying it increases their productivity. With a blend of ice and sweetened coffee, it’s the perfect beverage for those hot days when you can’t seem to cool down. However, like any other drink, coffee can go bad in the fridge for many reasons. A couple of examples:
- Cross-contamination between coffee and different types of food products in the fridge.
- If the temperature is too low for too long, bacteria will start growing on your coffee, hastening its spoilage.
Delayed Refrigeration
If you leave your chilled coffee sitting in a warm place for too long, bacteria and mold can start growing inside the bottle or container. This will cause your coffee to go bad before its time, no matter how carefully you prepare it.
Exposure to Too Much Oxidation
Oxidation begins when you store your coffee in a big or open container. Such occurrences produce excessive oxidizing air, which hastens the decaying process.
Related Questions
How Long Is Starbucks Iced Coffee Good for in the Fridge?
An open Starbucks iced coffee in your fridge is good for a half-day or less. On the other hand, an unopened bottle of coffee may be stored in the refrigerator indefinitely until it expires.
What Are the Signs That Refrigerated Iced Coffee Is Bad?
The sign of bad refrigerated coffee is a change in flavor. A bitter, stale, or sour taste may also be present, as well as a smell. If the smell of the coffee changes, it is likely that the coffee has gone rancid.
Can I Store Iced Coffee in the Freezer?
You can store iced coffee for weeks when frozen as cubes in the freezer. Using ice cubes in your coffee will dilute the flavor and aroma. Therefore, use frozen coffee cubes instead of ice cubes to enhance the flavor.
Conclusion
Iced coffee without sugar or milk stored in the fridge is good for about a week. It must be consumed within two days if left at room temperature for maximum flavor. Delayed refrigeration and the addition of highly perishable additives will cause the coffee to go bad in your fridge.
