Does Chambord Go Bad? (And How Long Does It Last)

Chambord is a premium black raspberry liqueur that is crafted in France and has royal origins. It has a sweet fruity flavor with a rich purple color and a smooth velvety finish. It is made from the juice of blackberries, raspberries, and blackcurrants that are then blended with black raspberries, XO cognac, Madagascan vanilla, Moroccan citrus peel, honey, and aromatic spices. Chambord is a versatile liqueur that mixes well with champagne, vodka, gin , bourbon, or rum. Undoubtedly an exceptional addition to any home bar. However, if you have a bottle of Chambord that has been on your shelf for an extended amount of time, you may be wondering, “does Chambord go bad?”

Chambord does not go bad and will last indefinitely if stored properly. In terms of quality, however, you may need to throw it away due to a lackluster flavor instead of spoilage. If unopened and properly sealed, Chambord will last indefinitely. If opened, it is best to consume Chambord within 12 months, and ideally within 6-8 months for best quality.

In this article, we will go over whether Chambord goes bad, how to properly store it, as well as answer some frequently asked questions about it. We will also review some alternatives to Chambord that can be substituted in its place if you don’t have it on hand or want to try something new.

Does Chambord Go Bad Over Time?

Unopened, sealed, and stored properly, Chambord will last indefinitely, as long as it is kept upright in a cool and dark place away from direct heat or sunlight.

In terms of safety, opened Chambord will be safe to consume if it was stored properly. However, it will slowly deteriorate in flavor once it is open, and you will most likely end up throwing it away for this reason.

If opened, it is best to consume Chambord within 12 months, and ideally 6-8 months as the quality in flavor will deteriorate over time.

Does Chambord Need To Be Refrigerated?

Whether opened or unopened, Chambord does not need to be refrigerated. It just needs to be kept upright in a cool and dark place away from direct heat or sunlight, and tightly closed when not in use.

Some people choose to refrigerate Chambord to prolong its freshness, but it is not necessary. In fact, it tastes better if it is kept at room temperature.

How Can You Tell If Chambord Has Gone Bad?

When you open a new bottle of Chambord, you will notice an intense berry aroma followed by creaminess from vanilla, and nuttiness from the oak. A sip of Chambord reveals a slightly sharp taste in the beginning with a smooth and satisfying citrus finish that leaves a lingering sweetness. The aroma and flavors of Chambord are full and vibrant when it is fresh.

However, if Chambord develops an unpleasant odor, appearance, or flavor, it should be discarded. It may still be safe to consume if it was stored properly, it just won’t taste very good.

How To Properly Store Chambord

To prolong the shelf life and avoid an unpleasant experience with Chambord, make sure to

Store Chambord upright, as this will prevent leaks and a metallic taste from the cap.
If unopened, make sure Chambord is sealed properly.
If opened, make sure Chambord is tightly closed.
Opened and unopened, keep Chambord in a cool and dark place away from direct heat and sunlight. Avoid exposure to extreme cold or heat. A dark cabinet or behind tinted glass is best.
It is not necessary to store Chambord in the refrigerator, but some people do so to prolong its freshness.
When checking for freshness, pour into a glass, smell it, look at the appearance, and take a small sip. If anything seems off, it is best to throw it away.

Does Chambord Go Bad After Opening?

Yes, Chambord does gradually go bad after opening because the flavors deteriorate over time. After opening, it is best to consume Chambord within 12 months, and ideally 6-8 months as the quality in flavor will not be the same. It will still be safe to consume however.

Chambord comes in different size bottles. If you don’t plan to drink Chambord often, get a size that will suit your needs. Bottle sizes of Chambord come in 750ml, 375ml, 200ml, and 50ml.

Can You Get Sick From Drinking Old Chambord?

If unopened, stored properly, and the seal is secure, it will not make you sick. If opened, old Chambord will deteriorate in flavor and will most likely taste dull, so should be thrown away for this reason, but it should not make you sick.

I don’t think you would want to drink this premium liqueur if the flavor has deteriorated anyways, so just toss it if you know it sat on the shelf for a long time.

Does Chambord Contain Preservatives?

No, Chambord does not contain added preservatives or chemicals. It is made from all-natural ingredients. The sugar and alcohol content in Chambord preserve it well; however, when exposed to air, the contents begin slowly evaporating and deteriorating, which is why it should be consumed within 12 months for best quality.

How Do You Drink Chambord?

Chambord can be enjoyed either neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails. Here is a list of some cocktails you can make with it:

French Martini
French Manhattan
Gin Berry Spritz
Raspberry Mojito
Chambord Bramble
Chambord Royale
Chambord Margarita
Chambord Espresso Martini
Chambord Mimosa
Chambord Spritz
Chambord Collins

There are many more ways to utilize it, but this should get you started.

Alternatives to Chambord

There are many options available as alternatives to Chambord. Some contain alcohol and some do not. Chambord has a rich raspberry flavor from the blackberries, raspberries, and blackcurrants with notes of citrus, vanilla, and oak. Although nothing can perfectly substitute this exceptional liqueur, the following are some alternatives that can suffice.

OliveNation Pure Red Raspberry Extract

For an intense raspberry flavor without the alcohol, OliveNation Pure Red Raspberry Extract is a bright and delicious alternative to Chambord. It is made from carefully selected red raspberries from Oregon and Washington.

This raspberry extract is sugar-free and gluten-free, and can be used in countless ways. Add it to smoothies, teas, frosting, jams, yogurt, ice cream, salad dressings, cakes, and especially to cocktails. It deepens, enhances, and complements anything you add it to.

Ravifruit Raspberry Puree

Ravifruit Raspberry Puree is a delicious and healthy alternative to Chambord. Also a product of France, it is non-alcoholic, and made with 90% fruit and 10% sugar. The raspberries in this puree are harvested at their peak of ripeness and it contains no added flavors, colorings, or preservatives.

Try it in frozen cocktails, blending it with ice and your favorite liquor or create sorbets, smoothies, ice creams, jellies, jams, sauces, and pastry fillings. The possibilities are endless with this raspberry puree.

Green Jay Gourmet Raspberry Syrup

A non-alcoholic alternative that is both fruity and flavorful, Green Jay Gourmet Raspberry Syrup is a great option. It is made with just 3 simple ingredients of raspberries, cane sugar, and lemon juice. Add this all-natural and non-GMO syrup to drinks, stir it in yogurt, or drizzle on pancakes and ice cream.

Just Date Syrup Organic Pomegranate Molasses

Just Date Syrup Organic Pomegranate Molasses is not your typical non-alcoholic syrup. It may not be raspberry flavored, but the organic pomegranates and medjool dates give it a rich and flavorful taste that is perfectly sweet and tart.

It can go in cocktails, salad dressings, marinades, braises, and even on toast. It is packed with nutrients such as potassium and antioxidants. It is also organic, gluten-free, paleo, vegetarian, vegan, non-GMO, and has a low glycemic index.

D’arbo Blackcurrant Syrup

Highly concentrated and non-alcoholic, D’arbo Blackcurrant Syrup is a rich and robust alternative to Chambord. It is wonderful mixed with vodka, gin, beer, and even tea and milk. It contains no chemical preservatives or colorings, and is made from 80% fruit juice.

Teisseire Framboise

A French non-alcoholic raspberry syrup, Teisseire Framboise is another fine alternative to Chambord. Framboise can be a raspberry liqueur or syrup such as this one. It is delicious in cocktails, lemonades, or added into sparkling water. It has no added preservatives or harmful chemicals.

Bacardi Raspberry Rum

Bacardi Raspberry Rum is distilled liquor made from sugarcane and infused with raspberry flavors. It has a crisp, sweet, and tart flavor that works well as an alternative to Chambord. It can be used in a lot of popular cocktails such as raspberry mojitos, raspberry daiquiris, and raspberry rum lemonades.