Does Kahlua Expire?

Yes, Kahlua does expire. Each bottle has an expiration date. Vodka and rum can last for decades, but flavored liqueurs like Kahlua are only good for four years.

Kahlua has a shelf life of four years and should not be drank after that time. If Kahlua is one of your favorite drinks then it shouldn’t be a problem since you will drink it long before the expiration date.

Can You Drink Expired Kahlua?

Yes, you can drink Kahlua after the expiration date but the flavor will not be optimal. The best way to tell if your Kahlua is about to expire is to taste it. Good Kahlua smells like mixture of rum and coffee beans.

If the the taste and smell of your Kahlua is weak then it is close to expiration. If your bottle doesn’t smell or taste right, its time to throw it out. Another way you can check to see if your Kahlua is good is to check for mold. Mold will develop if your bottle has been exposed to heat. You should not drink it if mold is present.

How Do You Know If Kahlua Is Expired?

The smell and flavor of your Kahlua will be the best indicator that your bottle has expired. With the exception of having mold, even if your bottle has expired, you can still drink it.

Another way to tell if your Kahlua is about to expire, is to look for sugar crystals on the outside of the bottle. It is safe to drink your Kahlua. Kahlua is known to separate and settle. If this happens it does not mean your bottle has expired, it just needs to be shaken and mixed up a bit before you use it.

How To Store Kahlua?

If unopened, Kahlua should be stored in a dry, cool place. Kahlua should not be stored in direct sunlight or in heat. If Kahlua gets too warm, it may expire sooner than the date on the bottle.

Once opened, Kahlua should still be stored in a cool, dry place. The bottle should sealed tightly to keep the strong coffee flavor longer. This also keeps the alcohol from oxidizing and reduce evaporation.

It is good practice, to wipe the bottle after using it and before putting the cap back on. This will stop mold from forming on the bottle after it has been opened.

It is common to store opened Kahlua in the refrigerator. This is a good idea if you like to drink it chilled. As with most drinks, they taste better if they are cold.

Can You Freeze Kahlua?

Yes, you can put Kahlua in the freezer, but it will not freeze completely. It is not recommend that you put Kahlua in the freezer. Kahlua contains enough alcohol so it won’t freeze completely but it will be thick and difficult to poor. Thick and chunky alcohol doesn’t make for smooth drink.

If you normally store your Kahlua in the cabinet you can place it in the freezer for thirty minutes before you want to drink it. This way, it will be chilled but not thick and frozen.

Can Expired Kahlua Make You Sick?

The flavor of opened Kahlua will start to drop after about eighteen months. After expiration, expired Kahlua will not make you sick. The flavor of the coffee will not be as strong. So the quality of Kahlua goes down as it gets closer to expiration. Expired Kahlua will not make you sick unless you drink too much of it.

Does Kahlua Expire If Unopened?

Yes, Kahlua will expire even if it is unopened. The shelf life is four years. Each bottle Kahlua Original has a production date on the bottle. Use this to determine when it will expire.

Flavored Kahlua will expire after two years. Proper storage will help extend the shelf life and flavor.

Ready to Drink Kahlua products have the shortest life span and expire after one year. As with all varieties of Kahlua the products don’t necessarily go bad, they will taste less flavorful.

Does Kahlua Need To Be Refrigerated After Opening?

Kahlua does not need to be refrigerated after opening. However, if you like your drinks chilled it is a good idea to keep it in the refrigerator. If you have a new bottle that hasn’t had time to chill, you can put it in the freezer for thirty minutes before you drink it. This short amount of time will be just enough to chill it for your drink.

Does Kahlua Have Dairy?

No, Kahlua does not contain milk, cream or any milk derived ingredients. Kahlua is a flavored liqueur that comes from Mexico. It is made with rum, sugar, vanilla bean and Arabica coffee. It does not contain dairy.

However, common mixed drinks that use Kahlua often contain dairy. For example, the mudslide, white Russian, and black Russian have recipes that call for dairy ingredients.

How To Drink Kahlua

The simplest way to drink Kahlua is on the rocks. It is easy to make. Simply fill a glass with ice cubes and fill the glass half way full with Kahlua. Stir gently with a spoon.

A Mudslide is another way to drink Kahlua. Mudslides make great after dinner drinks because they taste like a dessert. Using a shaker filled with ice, pour 1.5 oz. of Kahlua, 1.5 oz. of vodka, and 1.5 oz. of Irish Cream. Put the lid on and shake until blended. Next pour the contents into a glass filled with ice.

White Russians are very similar to Mudslides, but in stead of using Irish Cream, use regular cream. So fill a glass with ice. Then, add 1oz. Kahlua, 1 oz. vodka, and 1 oz. table cream. Stir until mixed.

Black Russians are also very popular drinks made with Kahlua. Fill a glass full of ice. Then, pour in 2 o.z vodka and 1 oz. Kahlua. Still the drink with a spoon until mixed.

Conclusion

Kahlua Original makes a great cocktail especially when mixed with Irish Cream. Drinking expired Kahlua will not make you sick. However, the smell and flavor will not be as strong as a newly opened bottle. Comment below with your favorite Kahlua concoction.