House Hunting Chronicles: Did you know that booze has an expiration date?

When the hubby and I were first married, we went to visit some friends who had moved out of the Bay Area to a rural location. We had a great time getting caught up, touring some of the area, and of course, having a few drinks. I tried a Golden Cadillac for the first time. Oh my, was it yummy, creamy, sweet and milkshake like. I already loved thick frozen drinks (think strawberry daiquiri or pina coladas), so I was anxious to have one at home.

We had to track down the recipe, although we knew that it contained Galliano, Cream de Cacoa, and cream. Keep in mind this was before we had the internet in our homes. We must have tried to make it at least once, although I have no clear memory of the outcome. I found the tall bottle of Galliano when I was cleaning out and packing the booze cupboard.

I wondered if the liqueur we have moved for more than three decades was still good. According to The Thrillist, “Sealed Galliano will last for the foreseeable future.” That was a promising piece of information. But then I read on, “an open bottle will easily last a year.” Huh. A year? Then I read, “that bottle you found hiding in your parents’ liquor cabinet from decades ago needs to go in the trash.” Well heck. I dumped the mildly sweet smelling stuff down the drain and put the bottle in the recycling bin. All the open liqueur bottles followed suit as they hadn’t been touched in years, and all apparently only last about six months after opening.

I went on to dump out open bottles of flavored vodka that the internet tells me last three months, and I’m sure we have had them for at least six years. We always had a bottle of vermouth around for my brother-in-law who likes martinis, but apparently it should have been stored in the fridge. And I don’t think he has had a martini at our house since 1992. Oops. Needless to say that we got rid of a LOT of bottles that were so old that they didn’t have expiration dates.

The big deal, though, was that I found the mythic bottle of Everclear at the back of the cupboard. It is 190 proof that’s 95% by volume. That’s kind of high. Whisky goes up to 63% alcohol by volume. It was likely bought in Nevada as it is illegal to sell it in 17 states, including California. I don’t remember drinking it straight because it is gross, but I have a vague memory of spicing up some daiquiris with it. Try not to judge me. We were young and stupid at one time, just like you.

It has been moved to hang out with the toxic chemicals in the garage. It will make a great furniture/metal stripper.

🤪

The once crammed cupboard is now mostly empty.

There are enough viable bottles left that I filled two wine boxes, so don’t worry, we have options for visitors.