How long does soda last?
In the fridge, soda keeps for 2 to 3 days after opening. Once opened, use it within 2 to 3 days.
No guideline
2 to 3 days
after opening
2 to 3 days
in the fridge unless noted
Does soda go bad?
Yes. The fridge time above is the window USDA gives for good quality; after it, soda may still be safe for a short while but quality drops and spoilage signs start. The date on the package is the maker's quality promise; the times here count from purchase unless marked "from the package date".
Two numbers to keep in mind: a fridge at 40 F (4 C) or below, and no more than 2 hours at room temperature (1 hour above 90 F / 32 C) for anything perishable.
How soda compares with other beverages
USDA FoodKeeper gives soda one time: 2 to 3 days in the fridge after opening, and no figure for the other places. A blank usually means the food is not stored that way, not that the data is missing. The foods USDA lists next to soda in beverages show the range for the group:
| Food | Pantry | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lime juice | 12 to 18 months | no guideline | no guideline |
| Nectar | 12 to 18 months | no guideline | no guideline |
| Nutrition supplement drinks(first of 2 kinds) | 2 to 5 years | no guideline | no guideline |
| Orange juice(first of 3 kinds) | no guideline | no guideline | 8 to 12 months |
| Red wine | 3 to 5 years | no guideline | no guideline |
| Soy or rice beverage | no guideline | no guideline | no guideline |
| Tea(first of 3 kinds) | 18 to 36 months | no guideline | no guideline |
| Vegetable juice(first of 3 kinds) | 18 months | no guideline | no guideline |
| Water | Keeps indefinitely | no guideline | no guideline |
| White wine | 1 to 2 years | no guideline | no guideline |
About beverages. Unopened juice, soda, beer and wine keep for a long time in a cool pantry, but milk alternatives and fresh juice spoil almost as fast as dairy once opened. Coffee and tea lose flavour gradually rather than becoming unsafe, so quality, not safety, is usually the concern. All beverages.
How to tell soda has gone bad
General signs for beverages, the group USDA lists soda under.
- Fizzy drinks that have gone flat or taste metallic
- Sour or curdled smell from opened juice or milk alternatives
- Cloudiness or separation that will not shake back together
- Cork pushed slightly out or wine that smells like vinegar
- Mould ring forming at the neck of a bottle or carton
More on beverages. The times above are quality guidelines, not safety limits; food that shows these signs goes out regardless of the date.
How long do other beverages last?
Source: USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset (public domain). How we decode the data.