As Christmas approaches many of us may be stocking up on Baileys to pour into a hot chocolate, but most people do not realise they are storing it wrong. 

While it is absolutely fine to store an open bottle of Baileys in the fridge, it is incredibly important to never store it in the fridge door. 

Kim, a cook and founder of Insanely Good Recipes has shared that Baileys needs to be kept at a stable temperature to make sure it does not spoil.

She said: “Like other liqueurs, Bailey’s Irish Cream is allergic to temperature fluctuations. So, be sure to store it at the back side of the fridge, away from the door. That is its best chance at resting at a consistent temperature.”

Since the fridge door opens and closes all the time it is the warmest part of the fridge, which can compromise the texture and flavour of the creamy liquor. 

However, it is also important to note that you can save room in the fridge this Christmas as Baileys can also keep fresh just as long at room temperature.

Kim explained: “According to the manufacturers, Baileys has a shelf-life of two years, regardless of whether you open the bottle, or whether you store it in the fridge or at room temperature, as long as you keep it away from sunlight. 

“You see, the whiskey in the Baileys acts as a natural preservative, keeping it safe from spoilage. Hence, the impressive lifespan.” 

Baileys need to be kept away from sunlight as the drink is extremely sensitive to temperature change, and keeping it somewhere warm will cause it to spoil before its time. 

Exposure to sunlight can also cause the compounds in the liquor to break down, which will cause it to taste stale and incredibly unpleasant. 

To keep Baileys as fresh as possible it is best to seal the bottle and keep it somewhere dark and cool in your kitchen.

Never leave it near a window, on a shelf or on a countertop as this will expose it to sunlight. Keep it in the back of the fridge or in a cupboard that is far away from your oven. 

As long as you avoid storing it somewhere warm with no temperature changes and with lots of natural light then it will taste brilliant for much longer so you can use it for lots of celebrations in 2025. 

However, while Baileys can be stored for up to two years, it is better to drink it within six months of buying it or if you get it as a present Christmas as the quality will begin to deteriorate after a few months. 

Kim said: “Once you open the bottle, you expose the Bailey’s to air, which will cause its quality to decline faster. A month or two won’t make that big of a difference, but eventually, you’ll notice that it won’t taste as fresh as it was before.”

Baileys will stay at its freshest for six months and has a shelf life of two years, but any time after that it is better to throw the bottle away as it will have an awful sour taste as the cream will have curdled. 

Kim said: “If the bottle has been sitting in the fridge well beyond two years, just let it go. Don’t even bother checking! It’s better to err on the side of caution, and it won’t taste as good, anyways.”