Nearly all of alcohol, from wine and cocktails to straight pours of whiskey and tequila, tastes higher with a slight chill. Whereas throwing your favourite bottles within the freezer could seem to be a wise transfer, it will not be greatest for the liquid inside, relying on what it’s. 

Each beer and wine are largely composed of water, which freezes quicker than the alcoholic parts within the drinks. This could result in liquid separation and lack of taste. Freezing might also scale back carbonation in bubbly drinks, and in worst-case situations, may cause glowing bottles to blow up. 

Past beer and wine, the vast majority of spirits ought to keep away from your kitchen freezer. We consulted with beverage business specialists to find out what occurs to alcohol when it freezes, which spirits must be stored removed from the icebox, and the few exceptions which might be able to withstanding excessive chilly. 

Alcohol that shouldn’t go into the freezer

Gin

Gina Broyles, normal supervisor and bar supervisor of Kwei Fei in Charleston, South Carolina, says that colder temperatures can masks aromas and flavors in gins and even flavored vodkas, particularly citrus and floral notes. “I like to recommend you skip the freezer altogether and retailer at room temperature or within the fridge to maintain it cool,” she says. 

Ricky Dolinsky, beverage director of New York Metropolis’s The View, says that he avoids retaining delicate gins within the freezer, as botanicals can turn into muted or subdued.

Tequila

Spirits with extra delicate taste profiles, significantly gin and tequila, ought to by no means be stored within the freezer. “Tequila, as an example, loses its shiny, citrusy notes,” says Broyles. 

Though their excessive alcohol content material prevents them from freezing strong, the chilly can mute aromas and flavors, making the freezer a less-than-ideal storage possibility. 

Brown spirits akin to Cognac, rum and whiskey

Jarred Roth, beverage director at Il Buco Household, says that he would not retailer any spirits (besides vodka) within the freezer, particularly brown spirits. “Brown spirits are likely to cloud when frozen,” he says. “You usually lose among the tasting notes in them at ice-cold temperatures.” 

Roth notes that storing backside and mid-shelf merchandise within the freezer is mostly fantastic, however recommends steering away from placing high-end merchandise in there. Freezing can alter flavors and the delicate nuances in a spirit.

Alcohol that may stand up to the chilly

Freezing sure spirits could be helpful particularly instances, largely with regard to texture. “Storing booze in a freezer tends to permit for a smoother really feel on the palate and end,” says Roth. Broyles provides that doing so can even masks among the harsher edges present in lower-quality liquors.

Vodka

The impartial style of vodka makes it a suitable freezer spirit. Chilled vodka or impartial spirits can really feel particularly easy on the palate. Nonetheless, as with overly chilled wine, Roth notes that freezing pretty impartial spirits may additionally trigger one to overlook out on the nuance of taste, each aromatically and on the palate.

Some batched cocktails

Roth says that within the case of sure pre-batched cocktails, storing them within the freezer previous to serving is appropriate. “When you’re batching a extra spirit-forward cocktail, akin to a Martini, it may possibly permit it to be rapidly served ice-cold with out worrying about over-dilution whereas stirring the drink,” he says. The tip product will likely be sturdy and have a easy end. 

“Moist Martinis and Manhattans maintain up greatest with out shedding integrity,” says Dolinsky.  The exception can be spirit-forward cocktails that use syrups, akin to an Outdated Long-established, because the substances will possible separate. 

Freezing spirits isn’t crucial generally, and Broyles sums it up greatest: “If you wish to serve spirits chilly with out compromising taste or viscosity, a fridge or wine chiller is good,” she says. For these trying to serve one thing over ice to keep away from dilution, she recommends reaching for chilled glasses or utilizing large-format ice cubes that soften at a slower tempo.