Can You Drink Expired Starbucks Iced Coffee? (Does Starbucks Iced Coffee Go Bad? How Long Does Starbucks Iced Coffee Last)
Yes. You can take expired Starbucks iced coffee within 24 hours if you have not opened it yet. Iced coffee can go bad once it passes the expiration date and you keep it open without refrigeration.
Do you buy your Starbucks in bulk and forget to take them on time? You are not alone. I could not go a week without buying iced coffee. I once left my drink for too long, and it started smelling. We came up with this post to inform you how long Starbucks iced coffee can last and if it goes bad. Read on!
Table of Contents
Does Starbucks Iced Coffee Go Bad?
Many Starbucks customers find it hard to resist the refreshing taste of iced coffee. This delicious drink can keep you cool, especially outdoors, since it contains ice cubes. The ice cubes added to this drink melt gradually for a couple of minutes to cool the beverage. Starbucks baristas also add sugar and cream to iced coffee to enhance the flavor.
Iced coffee is made using quality coffee beans that do not go bad quickly. Starbucks also includes quality water and milk in it. Such ingredients give iced coffee an excellent shelf life.
This does not, however, mean that it can remain good forever. Like any other drink, iced coffee goes bad after some time.
This beverage comes with a best before or expiration date that you should pay attention to. The best before date shows how long you can store the drink before it becomes unsafe to drink.
On the other hand, the expiration date indicates the last day that this beverage is safe to drink.
Starbucks iced coffee tends to go bad after the expiration date. One of the things that contribute to the spoiling of this drink is milk and cream. The high sugar content in this drink can also make it go bad. Though sugar can prevent the growth of bacteria in the drink, if you let this beverage cool down entirely, the sugar can crystallize and make it spoil.
If you leave iced coffee open for long, such elements will make it go bad. Storage also plays a role in its shelf life. If you store iced coffee at room temperature for a long time, it can go bad and develop a bitter taste. The longer the drink sits without refrigeration, the higher the risk of bacteria growth. You should also keep this drink away from heat sources such as direct sunlight.
How Long Does Starbucks Iced Coffee Last?
As soon as you open the iced coffee drink before it expires, the shelf life reduces. You should consume this drink as soon as possible so that it does not go bad. If you cannot finish the Starbucks iced coffee in one go, you should consider refrigerating it. This drink can remain good for between 8-12 hours when refrigerated. After that, it is likely to expire. If you have not yet opened the beverage, it will remain fresh until expiration. Storing it in a fridge can help it retain its flavor and taste for a pleasant drinking experience.
So, can you consume the iced coffee after expiry? This is possible if you have strong immunity. Ensure you consume it within twenty-four hours if you had not opened it and had kept it in the fridge. People with weak immunities should simply discard expired iced coffee from Starbucks to avoid any health problems. Drinking expired iced coffee past twenty-four hours is not recommended since this could lead to health issues.
Does iced coffee need refrigeration?
We mentioned that proper storage is important to extend the shelf life of this drink. Refrigerating iced coffee can prevent it from spoiling easily. This also keeps it cool to enjoy when you are ready to consume. Ensure the drink is sealed correctly to prevent it from spoiling.
Conclusion
Though coffee does not go bad as quickly as other products, iced coffee can still expire due to its milk. Once you fail to refrigerate or open it, the shelf life reduces. Though you can drink an expired Starbucks iced coffee within 24 hours, you should avoid this if it is not in the fridge or if it is open. Taking the drink in one go as soon as you purchase is more advisable to avoid any health issues.
FAQs
How to check Starbucks Bottled Iced Coffee Expiration Date
You should look for a stamp on the bottle of this drink since this contains its expiration date.
Is it okay to drink expired Cold Starbucks coffee?
You can drink it within 24 hours if it is refrigerated and properly sealed. You should, however, avoid this if your immunity is not strong due to health problems.