What's The Average Shelf Life Of Soda?

There's something viscerally satisfying about cracking open an ice-cold can of soda and taking that first slurp, with the effervescence of carbonation so crisp that it almost burns in the best way possible. Of course, like any other consumable, soda doesn't last forever. If you got a cracking deal on several cases of your favorite pop, or you set aside a hefty haul for a party and have a ton of leftovers, you might be wondering exactly how long you can expect your drinks to stay delicious. The good news is that you don't necessarily have to abide by the manufacturer's "best by" date — experts say that canned cola will probably remain fizzy and taste the same for anywhere from three to nine months after the date printed on the can. We know some unsettling facts about diet soda, but another one is the fact that it doesn't stay good for nearly as long as full-sugar varieties. That's due to artificial sugars breaking down more quickly.

As for storage, soda's carbonation and taste last the longest when held in a cool environment (room temperature or lower) that's not in direct sunlight. You don't necessarily need to give up fridge space to stash it, but the variable temperature of a garage in the summer isn't the best bet, either. How can you tell that your soda isn't good anymore? Common-sense clues abound — you might notice that the soda tastes flat, syrupy, or metallic. If the can is dented or bulging, you should toss it (or repurpose it ... more on that in a minute). Plastic bottles don't last nearly as long as cans, either.

Now that you know the expected shelf life for soda, you might find yourself sitting on a glut of pop that's probably not best for drinking anymore. We hate food waste, especially when it comes to a grocery item as pricey as soda, so repurpose it! Soda that still has an intact can may be used in cooking, where the lack of carbonation doesn't matter quite as much. Canned soda is the bubbly ingredient to turn boxed cake mix into cookies, and a cola that's slightly flat probably won't make a difference. Have you ever made a caramel sauce with soda? That's another fantabulous recipe that doesn't demand crispy soda. Barring use as an ingredient, there's also the fact that the acidity in soda, fresh or otherwise, makes it great for preventing certain fruits from browning.

If you have soda that's been damaged, you are absolutely right to not consume it in any way. But that doesn't mean you necessarily need to swirl it down the drain. Soda is a sneaky addition to the list of pantry staples that are great for cleaning; it shines in the bathroom for descaling built-up crud in your sink and toilet bowl, for instance. When soda sticks around past its best-by date and many months after that, keep in mind that you don't necessarily need to throw it away, as it has many uses.