How long is Starbucks cold brew good for? (How long does Starbucks iced coffee/cold brew stay good for? + All you need to know)
If you love cold brew but don’t always complete the drink in one go, you may wonder how long it is good for?
Starbucks cold brew is good for seven days to two weeks. Some Starbucks customers wonder whether one can make cold brew last longer. Though I have been a coffee lover for the longest time, sometimes I don’t finish my cup. I once found white particles floating in my iced coffee after leaving it on the kitchen countertop for days.
Since discarding it made me feel bad, I started learning about the shelf life of such drinks to avoid another occurrence. I created this post to share everything I learned about how long drinks like cold brew can go.
Table of Contents
How long is Starbucks cold brew/ iced coffee good for
If you have not unsealed the bottle of iced coffee, it is good until the best before or expiration date. If you have opened an iced coffee and stored it in the fridge, it will be good for at least 8 hours. It can go bad after two days if you do not store it in the fridge due to exposure to the external environment. For example, keeping iced coffee exposed to heat sources like direct sunlight can make it go bad.
On the other hand, Starbucks cold brew can last between 7 days and two weeks. Like iced coffee, you can also store this drink in the refrigerator to make it last for long. Adding ingredients such as sugar or creamer can reduce the shelf life of Starbucks cold brew. If you open a bottle of cold brew coffee, it can last for at least 8 hours in the fridge. Taking such drinks as early as possible can prevent them from spoiling.
How long do Starbucks cold brews last in the fridge?
Unlike iced coffee, which goes bad fast, unopened Starbucks cold brew can last in the fridge for up to two weeks. During this period, the taste remains the same. You should, however, avoid leaving the cold brew in the fridge for longer than recommended since it will eventually go bad.
Refrigerating Starbucks cold brew is one of the most recommended ways to preserve it.
You should not leave it at room temperature for long since the flavor may start becoming sour within 2 hours. The more you leave out in the open, the more you encourage the growth of mold on this beverage. Many Starbucks customers like diluting cold brew with different ingredients to enhance its flavor.
If you choose to add milk to cold brew, you should not leave it in the fridge for more than 8 hours since milk spoils fast. When the milk spoils, you should not consume this beverage. Another option to take cold brew would be to add water to it. If you do this and then store it in the fridge, you should consume it within three days before it goes bad.
Can you drink expired Starbucks iced coffee?
No. This is not advisable. Iced coffee is only safe before its expiration date. Since Starbucks has an expiration date that is a bit flexible, some customers drink iced coffee that is one day past this date when the seal is intact. If you opened the iced coffee and it has expired, it is unsafe to consume.
You can only enjoy iced coffee when you consume it before it expires. This will not only be fresh but also have an amazing taste. Expired iced coffee often tastes bitter and can cause certain issues to people with sensitive stomachs.
Though Starbucks uses high-quality coffee to make this drink, ingredients like cream and milk can make it spoil easily. Before buying iced coffee from Starbucks, it is therefore important to check the best before date it comes with to avoid drinking it when it has already expired.
How long can I drink Starbucks iced coffee after the expiration date?
You can drink an iced coffee after this date within 24 hours. You should only drink it if you have strong immunity. If your immunity is not that strong, avoid taking iced coffee even a day after expiring since you may start experiencing health problems.
If the iced coffee is one day past the expiration date, first start by smelling it before consuming it within 24 hours. This can help you assess whether the milk or cream has gone bad. If it does not taste very good, it is better to throw it away since you may not enjoy drinking it.
Can you drink Starbucks coffee the next day?
Yes. If you don’t want to consume Starbucks coffee immediately when you buy it, you can consume it the next day. Proper storage is, however, important. Feel free to refrigerate the drink overnight to keep it fresh until you are ready to consume it.
You can store different Starbucks coffee beverages in the fridge overnight, including Starbucks latte, iced coffee, and cold brew. If you have opened the Starbucks drink, you should consume it within a few hours, even when you store it in the fridge.
How long is Starbucks cold brew good for after the expiration date?
Starbucks cold brew is good for at least two days after expiration. If you have noticed that the expiration date has passed, you should first assess its condition before consuming it. Before taking it, watch out for things such as a moldy smell or extremely acidic taste. If you notice such, it is better to throw it away rather than drink it to avoid any health issues.
FAQ section
How long is cold brew coffee good for?
Starbucks cold brew can last up to two weeks when refrigerated.
Can you keep a Starbucks drink in the fridge?
Yes. Storing a Starbucks drink in the refrigerator is one of the most recommended ways to store it since this can extend its shelf life a bit.