NOW EXPERIENCING:Spirits 101: Should vodka be kept in the freezer?
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Spirits 101: Should vodka be kept in the freezer?


Read time 1 Min

Posted 20 Apr 2023

By
Emily Reed


Vodka, where should you live? Is the freezer your home? Or maybe the fridge? Let’s find out.

If you’ve got a bottle of vodka sitting in your freezer at home right now you can probably remove it, just sayin’. Why? Well, for starters, there will be more room for emergency party pies or those new Oreo ice creams you’ve been eyeing off. Secondly, according to most vodka experts, it should never have been there in the first place. Who knew?
To freeze or not to freeze your vodkaThe temperature you store your vodka at is pretty much dictated by its quality. You may want to think about chilling vodka if it’s lower quality or burns your throat on the way down – popping it in the freezer will dull this effect and make it more palatable. At the other end of the spectrum, remember that if extreme cold hides flavour flaws, it will also hide the more enjoyable, subtle notes and flavours. So, if you’ve got a high-quality vodka with lovely characteristics you want to actually taste, then it should be kept out of the freezer. 
What about the fridge? You might like to store your bottle of vodka in the fridge if you’re planning on serving the vodka neat or on the rocks.
What is the optimal drinking temperature of vodka?Generally speaking, anywhere between 0 to 3.8 degrees celsius is a good range. This can be achieved by storing the vodka in the fridge, as mentioned above, pouring it directly over ice, or mixing it in a cocktail shaker with ice and other chilled liquids. Something else to consider is that when the temperature of vodka drops, its viscosity increases, which means it has a smoother consistency and mouthfeel. 
Some other rules of thumb when storing vodkaMake sure you keep the bottle upright (for obvious reasons), always maintain a consistent temperature, and please, for the love of distilled spirits, don’t let that vodka get warm; when this happens it releases more volatiles and the smell of pure alcohol can be a bit overwhelming. 
Keen to learn more about vodka (and whether it's all the same)? We break it down for you here.  
image credits: Alex Drewniak