Shelf Life Tips
- How long does unopened tonic water last? The precise answer to the question depends to a large extent on storage conditions - store unopened cans or bottles of tonic water in a cool, dark area.
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To extend the shelf life of unopened tonic water, keep unopened tonic water away from direct sources of heat or light.
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How long does unopened tonic water last at room temperature? Properly stored, unopened tonic water will generally stay at best quality for about 9 months after the date on the package when stored at room temperature, although it will usually remain safe to drink after that.
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How long does unopened tonic water last in the refrigerator? Properly stored, unopened tonic water will generally stay at best quality for about 9 months after the date on the package when stored in the fridge, although it will usually remain safe to drink after that.
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Is unopened tonic water safe to drink after the "expiration" date on the can or bottle? Yes, provided it is properly stored and the can or bottle is undamaged - commercially packaged unopened tonic water will typically carry a " Best By," "Best if Used By," "Best Before", or "Best When Used By" date but this is not a safety date, it is the manufacturer's estimate of how long the unopened tonic water will remain at peak quality.
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Storage times shown are for best quality only - after that, the unopened tonic water's color or flavor may change, but in most cases, it will still be safe to consume if it has been stored properly and the can or bottle is not damaged.
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Discard all tonic water from cans that are leaking, rusting, bulging or severely dented.
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How to tell if unopened tonic water is bad? If unopened tonic water develop an off odor, flavor or appearance, it should be discarded for quality purposes.
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