Powerade and other sports drinks can go bad depending on how they are stored. If you store Powerade properly, it can last around 9 months past the expiry date on the bottle.
Other drinks such as Gatorade, Propel, Vitamin Water and Body Armor have a similar shelf life of around 9 months.
The ‘sell by’ or ‘best before’ dates printed on sports drinks like Powerade aren’t hard limits. Instead, they tell us how long the drink will remain in good quality. Once that date passes, the drink may not be “expired”, but it won’t have the same quality. The texture and taste will change, making it less enjoyable.
What Is the Shelf Life of Opened Powerade?
Like any other sports drink, Powerade will last between 3 to 5 days once opened. To keep the drink fresh and tasty, store it in the fridge after opening. Let it remain in the original container and ensure it’s tightly sealed to avoid contamination.
Don’t let it sit at room temperature for extended periods or expose it to direct sunlight. The drink may develop an off taste or unpleasant odor.
What Is the Shelf Life of Unopened Powerade?
Unopened Powerade will last a long time as long as it’s stored properly. The drink will remain safe for consumption for nine months after the printed expiry date. That means this drink’s shelf life is between 12 and 18 months. In some cases, it can last up to 24 months.
However, the longer you keep the drink in your pantry, the more the quality decreases. A drink you have stored for 2 to 3 years will not taste as good compared to one that has passed the expiry date by a couple of months.
How to Store Powerade
When unopened, store the Powerade in a cool, dark place. Keep it away from direct sunlight or heat. Higher temperatures can lead to chemical reactions in the drink, affecting its quality.
When opened, store the drink in the fridge with the lid tightly sealed. The drink will last up to five days. Once that time is up, the drink’s quality will likely deteriorate.
Signs That the Powerade Has Gone Bad
Because of the salt content in Powerade, it can be difficult to notice signs indicating the drink has gone bad. After all, salt is a preservative. Let us help you by highlighting signs that your drink has gone bad. If you notice any of them, discard the drink.
- A change in smell: If you open your drink and notice a distinct odor that is somehow sour or off, the drink has spoiled, and you should discard it.
- Color change: A change in color or sediments forming at the bottom indicate the drink has gone bad.
- Change in taste: Your drink may not have changed in color and smell but if the taste is different, throw it away.
- Change in texture: Although very rarely, when you don’t store your Powerade properly, it can start turning into a gel or solidify. When this happens, it’s best to discard the drink even if it hasn’t reached its expiry date.
If you find a bottle of Powerade in the fridge which has been there for a while and the lid has not been tightly sealed, it’s best to throw it away. Most likely, it’s not safe to drink.
Can You Freeze Powerade?
While you can freeze your Powerade, we advise against it. Freezing and thawing lead to separation and a change in the taste and texture of the drink.
In certain instances, Powerade has been found not to freeze as long as the seal remains intact. But once you remove the cap, the drink will immediately freeze.
Therefore, while you can freeze Powerade, especially if you place it in an ice cube tray or container, sports drink manufacturers don’t recommend it because of changes in texture and taste.
What Happens When You Drink Expired Powerade?
Like most foods and beverages, certain health risks come with drinking expired Powerade. However, if you drink Powerade 9 to 18 months past its ‘best by date’, you should be fine.
Still, we highly advise you to check for the signs of spoilage we have mentioned above before taking the drink. Changes in appearance, smell, and taste are a warning to discard the drink.
Related Questions
Can You Drink Two-Year-Old Powerade?
Powerade is shelf stable. As long as it hasn’t been opened and has been stored properly, it can last up to two years. Of course, two-year-old Powerade won’t taste as good as fresh Powerade, but it should still be okay to drink it.
Does Powerade Go Bad if Not Refrigerated?
Like most sports drinks, you don’t need to refrigerate them as long as you are yet to open the seal. The drink will remain of good quality for 12 to 18 months as long as it’s stored in a cool place.
Can I Drink Opened Powerade That Was Left Out Overnight
Opened Powerade that was left overnight is still safe to drink. When opened, the drink can last up to three days unrefrigerated, but the quality will deteriorate.
What Happens if You Drink Unrefrigerated Powerade?
Nothing will happen to you if you drink Powerade that isn’t refrigerated as long as it hasn’t been opened. Unopened Powerade has a long shelf life, so you will be fine. Even if the Powerade was already opened and you drank it, it’s highly unlikely you will be unwell.
