Does Margarita Mix Go Bad? (And How Long Does It Last)

Margarita Mix is a premade non-alcoholic mixture that you combine with tequila and ice to make a quick Margarita cocktail. With Margarita mix, you don’t have to buy all the individual ingredients needed to make a Margarita cocktail, which typically include a lot of limes, agave syrup, sugar, and salt. You will find many variations of Margarita mixes that come in flavors such as classic, raspberry, pineapple, watermelon, peach, jalapeno lime, and others. So if you came across a bottle of forgotten Margarita mix that you once bought, mixed a few drinks, and stored away the rest, you may be asking yourself, “does Margarita mix go bad?”

Margarita mix does go bad over time. If unopened and stored at room temperature, Margarita mix will remain at best quality for about 12-18 months, and still be safe to drink after that but with possible changes in quality. If opened and continuously refrigerated, Margarita mix will remain at best quality for about 6-9 months.

In this article, we will go over whether Margarita mix goes bad, how to properly store it, as well as answer some frequently asked questions about it. We will also review some alternatives to Margarita mix that can be substituted in its place if you want to try something new.

Does Margarita Mix Go Bad Over Time?

Yes, Margarita mix will go bad over time. Unopened Margarita mix will stay at best quality for about 12-18 months when stored at room temperature. It will usually remain safe to drink beyond that time if it was stored properly and bottle shows no sign of damage.

Opened Margarita mix will stay at best quality for about 6-9 months if continuously refrigerated. The flavor will deteriorate after that and your Margaritas will taste dull and flat.

Commercially bottled Margarita mix will typically have a “best-by” date, which is the manufacturer’s estimate of how long the Margarita mix will remain at best quality. It will usually remain safe to drink beyond that time if it was stored properly the entire time.

Does Margarita Mix Need To Be Refrigerated?

Unopened Margarita mix does not need to be refrigerated. It can be kept at room temperature.

Opened Margarita mix does need to be refrigerated and tightly closed. It will keep at best quality for about 6-9 months after opening.

How Can You Tell If Margarita Mix Has Gone Bad?

If Margarita mix shows any sign of spoilage or develops an unpleasant odor or flavor, it should be discarded. Also check if the bottle has been damaged. If you know your Margarita mix was stored properly and does not show any sign of spoilage, it will be safe to consume, but it may not taste the same.

It might make your drinks taste dull, flat, and not very flavorful. If you experience this, you may want to throw it away for lack of quality taste.

How To Properly Store Margarita Mix

To prolong the shelf life and avoid an unpleasant experience with Margarita mix, make sure to follow these guidelines when storing it.

How to Store Unopened Margarita Mix:

Check to make sure the original seal is still secure.
Place it in a cool, dark, and dry place such as a pantry or kitchen cabinet.
Keep it away from heat and direct sunlight.
Stored properly, it will maintain best quality 12-18 months.

How to Store Opened Margarita Mix:

Check to make sure the cap is tightly closed.
Place it in the refrigerator.
Stored properly, it will maintain best quality 6-9 months.

Does Margarita Mix Go Bad After Opening?

If opened, Margarita mix will maintain best quality 6-9 months in the refrigerator.

It will still be safe to consume beyond this time frame if it was stored properly and shows no signs of spoilage. Keep in mind it might not taste the same as it did when the bottle was first opened.

Can You Get Sick From Drinking Old Margarita Mix?

Unless you leave a bottle of Margarita mix uncapped, old Margarita mix should not make you sick if you drink it. What is more likely to happen is the Margarita mix will not smell fresh and will taste flat.

If you did drink Margarita mix that was not stored properly, showed signs of spoilage, or the bottle was damaged, you may experience signs of food poisoning, which include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. However, that is very unlikely to happen as Margarita mix contains a high amount of sugar and natural preservatives that it should not make you sick even if it was old and beyond the best-by date.

How Do You Make A Margarita With Margarita Mix?

A classic Margarita contains tequila, orange liqueur, freshly squeezed lime juice, ice, flaky salt for the glass rim, and a lime wedge for garnish. You can also sweeten them with simple syrup or agave nectar depending on how sweet you like your Margaritas.

If you are making Margaritas with Margarita mix, all you need to remember is the ratio 3-2-1. Combine 3 ounces of Margarita mix, 2 ounces of tequila, and 1 ounce of triple sec in a shaker with ice. Shake it up and pour into a salt-rimmed Margarita glass with a wedge of lime and enjoy.

How Long Does Homemade Margarita Mix Last?

Continuously refrigerated and tightly closed, homemade Margarita mix should last about 2 weeks. Make sure to not mix it with ice as the ice will melt and dilute the flavor. Also, wait until the day you need it to add alcohol as they will taste more fresh. If you do choose to add alcohol into your homemade Margarita mix, it is better to freeze your mix until you need it. Because of the alcohol, it will freeze into a slushy texture.

Here’s a homemade Margarita mix recipe you can try.

Homemade Margarita Mix

Ingredients:

½ cup sugar
1 cup water
1 cup fresh lime juice (about 10 limes)

Instructions:

Squeeze the lime juice into a bowl.
Heat the water and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves.
Let the mixture cool and then add it to the lime juice.
Mix it all together and pour into an airtight container.
Refrigerate it for up to 2 weeks.

Alternatives To Margarita Mix

Agalima Organic Authentic Margarita Mix

Made with all organic ingredients, Agalima Organic Authentic Margarita Mix is an all-natural and flavorful option for Margaritas. It is made with single-pressed limes and Jalisco blue agave nectar that will give your Margaritas a freshly-squeezed and delightfully sweet taste. Contains all vegan, gluten-free, and certified organic ingredients.

Swoon Mixers Margarita Mix

Mix a Margarita in less than 5 minutes with Swoon Mixers Margarita Mix. It has zero sugar and zero calories because it is sweetened with monk fruit. This is a healthy alternative to regular Margarita mixes, and perfect for a skinny Margarita. It is keto-friendly, gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, vegan-friendly, sugar-free, and non-GMO. It also comes in ginger lime flavor.

Tres Agaves Organic Margarita Mix

For an all-organic Margarita mix, Tres Agaves Organic Margarita Mix is a tasty option. It is made with real lime, real agave, and comes in lime and strawberry flavors. Simple ingredient list with nothing artificial, and just the right balance of sweet and sour.

Unmuddled Premium Cocktail Mixers

The name of these cocktail mixers speaks for itself. Unmuddled Premium Cocktail Mixers are non-alcoholic, made with real juice, and no artificial sweeteners. They are bursting with flavor and are available in fiery pineapple, spiced mandarin, and lemon mint flavors.

SPLASH Mojito Premium Cocktail Mixer

With a refreshing blend of mint and lime, SPLASH Mojito Premium Cocktail Mixer is a delicious alternative to Margarita mix. It gives you a healthier way to make a cocktail or mocktail. It is a non-alcoholic, gluten-free, non-GMO, and low calorie mixer. Just mix with rum and club soda, or sparkling water to make a mocktail.

Liber & Co. Rio Red Grapefruit Cordial

For a zesty and citrusy alternative to Margarita mix, try Liber & Co. Rio Red Grapefruit Cordial. It is a non-alcoholic syrup that is made from cold-pressed sweet sun-ripened Rio Red grapefruits from South Texas. It has a tart juicy flavor that is a great complement to spirits of any kind.