My wife and I are making an offer on a new house that features a built-in home bar, leading me to wonder where and what are the best methods for storing various types of alcohol? Which items should be stored at room temperature, and what should be kept refrigerated or even frozen?
The answer to this question often depends on the type of alcohol and whether it has been opened, says Henrik Thostrup, general manager of Colonial Wines & Spirits in Little Rock.
"Wine should be kept in a temperature-controlled environment," Thostrup says. "Someplace that is dark and about 56 degrees." Some wines have a date by which they must be consumed for maximum quality.
He says wines to be aged, those that have a traditional cork in them (especially white wines), need to be stored on their sides so the cork can remain moist.
"This will keep the wine sealed so that no air can pass through," he says.
As for other spirits, it depends on their properties.
"If it's a cream liquor, after it's been opened it needs to be refrigerated," Thostrup says. But hard liquor (with a high alcohol content -- anything above 36 percent -- such as bourbon, vodka, gin, tequila and rum) can be kept at room temperature after it has been opened.
Most alcohol can be stored at room temperature and retain good taste for long periods of time.
It's a good idea to make sure it is tightly sealed in order to prevent complete oxidation, which will make it undrinkable, and not stored in direct sunlight to prevent it from evaporating.
Some alcohol, such as whiskey, is affected more by light than temperature. It is better preserved in a dark place such as inside a liquor cabinet or bar at room temperature.
Exceptions include the pre-made, ready-to-service pouches of mixed drinks.
"Those should be stored in the refrigerator or freezer for four to five hours before serving," he says.
Other forms of alcohol are placed in the refrigerator or
freezer more as a matter of taste. Many vodka drinkers prefer to store that liquor in the freezer where, because of its high alcohol content, it won't freeze -- to have it as cold as possible when it's consumed.
Drinkers of flavored liqueurs and sipping aperitifs such as Irish cream, cherry liqueur or limoncello find chilling enhances their flavors. This makes them ready to be poured over ice cream for an after-dinner treat and offers a way to make cocktails with little or no ice that can dilute alcohol content.
Even with tequila, some of its fans -- especially those who choose to sip a high-quality brand -- prefer it to be chilled while others like it warmed slightly.
Outside of basic guidelines for storing alcohol, it often comes down to personal preference.
-- Linda S. Haymes
Do you have a decorating or remodeling question? We'll get you an answer from an authority. Send your question to Linda S. Haymes, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, Ark. 72203 or email:
lhaymes@arkansasonline.com
HomeStyle on 04/16/2016