We won't ask exactly where you found that bottle of moonshine, whether it was in the back of your kitchen cabinet when you moved in or a gift from an old relative. Either way, it probably doesn't have an expiration date printed on the bottle, which means it's not always easy to know whether it's safe to drink. In fact, does moonshine go bad at all?
When properly distilled, pure moonshine will not go bad since it doesn't contain any sugars or other spoilable ingredients. However, the production of moonshine isn't regulated by the FDA. It's impossible to know exactly what's in it or whether it was distilled properly in the first place. For this reason, it's never completely safe to drink it.
Still, if you're determined to take a drink for yourself, it's better to know a bit more about this beverage before taking the plunge.
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What is Moonshine?
Moonshine is a strong, high-proof liquor that's made without proper authorization from the government. This is actually where the drink got its name. It was traditionally distilled at night to avoid facing legal consequences. While alcohol of this kind has been made throughout human history, moonshine became popular in the United States during the prohibition era.
There is no single definitive type of moonshine. In fact, the drink can be made by distilling just about anything, including fruit, grains, and corn. Because it was most commonly made in the American South, common crops such as corn are the most commonly used distillation ingredient.
Since moonshine is so strong, it tends to have a nasty effect on those who suffer from heartburn and acid reflux. If this sounds like you, you'll be better off with a less acidic drink.
Does Moonshine Spoil?
Basic moonshine is essentially unaged whiskey, that is, an alcohol made from fermented grains. When it's pure, you can keep it indefinitely without fear of spoiling. The reason is that the alcohol itself can't spoil the sugars and other ingredients that are added later.
If you add other flavors to your moonshine, they will reduce the shelf life of your moonshine once it's opened. However, they will tend to last much longer, possibly even years, before the flavor is affected.
Unfortunately, its exact shelf life is impossible to say because moonshine isn't a regulated product. If the bottle has been left unopened and it doesn't contain any added sugars, it may be able to last for decades or more.
Signs of Spoiled Moonshine
It's impossible to know for sure how old your moonshine is or what's in it. But the best way to tell if it's safe to drink is to look for signs of spoilage. Keep an eye out for any of these signs before taking your first sip.
Taste and Smell
This is true of just about any food or drink that you suspect of being past its prime—give it a sniff. A good rule of thumb to keep in mind is that if it doesn't smell appetizing, it probably isn't. In the case of moonshine, if it has a sour or otherwise unpleasant odor, you shouldn't try to drink it.
We don't recommend you taste moonshine you don't know the origins of. However, if you've already tasted it and it has a bitter, sour, or funky flavor, you're probably better off throwing it out.
Color
Moonshine should be either completely clear or have a slightly yellowish tinge. The color depends on what ingredients were used in the distillation process. If it has a dark color, or really any other color at all, this means it has spoiled.
You should also be on the lookout for any solid materials floating in the drink. This could be mold, which is a sure sign your moonshine isn't safe to drink.
The Spoon Test
If your moonshine has passed the first two tests and you want to get a better idea of its chemical composition, you may want to try the spoon test. To do so, pour a bit of moonshine into a spoon and use a lighter to set it on fire. If the fire is blue, it means your moonshine is pure. But, be wary if it has a red or yellow flame. Lead or other impurities may be present in the drink, and it should be thrown out.
Frequently Asked Questions
It's difficult to say what will happen to a specific person if they drink bad moonshine simply because it's impossible to say what is inside their bottle. If the moonshine is just spoiled, it may only give them a stomachache. If the moonshine contains ethanol, even a small amount can cause permanent blindness. That is why it is best to avoid bottles of unknown origin.
Technically, moonshine can be frozen, though alcohol freezes around negative 200 degrees Fahrenheit, so your home freezer probably won't cut it. Besides, freezing alcohol doesn't actually do much to preserve its flavor and may actually harm it.
Adding fruit or any other spoilable foods or flavorings to your liquor will tend to reduce its shelf life. The reason is that alcohol itself actually doesn't go bad; only the sugars and other ingredients that may be mixed into it do.
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