Can You Leave Open Drinks in the Fridge?

If you’ve ever opened a bottle, popped it back in the fridge and wondered, “Is this actually okay?”, you’re not alone. 

Whether it’s soft drinks, wine, beer or spirits, you want your leftover drinks to stay safe, fresh and still taste good. 

The good news is: yes, most drinks can be left in the fridge once opened. 

But how long they stay fresh, safe and enjoyable depends on the drink itself. Below is a breakdown of what you can refrigerate, how long for, and the best ways to store everything from fizzy drinks to wine and beer.

Why Do Drinks Spoil or Lose Quality?

Even when you refrigerate your drinks, when opened, they won’t stay perfect forever. Here’s what can impact their quality over time (and why you should refrigerate them!):

1. Oxidation – Once a bottle or can is opened, air gets in and reacts with the drink, causing changes in flavour and aroma

2. Carbonation loss – Fizzy drinks like soft drinks, sparkling wine, and beer lose bubbles when exposed to air, making them taste flat

3. Temperature fluctuations – Drinks kept in a fridge that frequently warms and cools can lose taste quality faster

4. Contamination – Leaving drinks uncovered or pouring with dirty utensils can introduce bacteria or other microorganisms

5. Absorption of fridge odours – Some drinks, especially wine and juice, can pick up flavours from other foods stored nearby

 

How Long Do Soft Drinks Last Once Opened?

Soft drinks are usually fine to drink for 2 to 4 days after opening if you keep them in the fridge. They don’t “go bad” quickly, but they do lose carbonation fast.

Soft drinks don’t all lose their fizz at the same speed. Sugary drinks generally stay carbonated for longer, while diet drinks tend to go flat faster.

If the drink smells off, tastes sour, or has visible cloudiness, throw it away. 

How to Store Opened Soft Drinks 

• Keep the lid screwed tightly

• Avoid leaving the bottle out between pours

• Store upright to minimise surface area and CO₂ loss

• Cans should ideally be poured into a sealed bottle or glass with a cover

How Long Does Wine Last Once Opened?

It depends on the type of wine, but here is a general guide: 

How to Store Opened Wine Properly

• Use a wine stopper

• Keep the bottle upright

• Minimise light exposure

• Refrigerate as soon as possible

• Use a designated wine fridge for optimal storage 

How Long Does Beer Last Once Opened?  

Beer can last up to a day in a sealed container once opened. However, it won’t stay fresh as long as an unopened bottle or can.

• Bottles –  Up to 1 day

• Cans – A few hours unless transferred into a sealed container

Read our full guide on how long beer lasts in the fridge for more. We also have a helpful guide that answers the question “can you put warm beer back in the fridge?”. 

How to Store Opened Beer Properly

• Keep it cold straight away

• Seal it if possible using a bottle stopper or resealable cap

• Store upright

• Avoid temperature fluctuations

• Use a clean glass container if pouring from a can

• Finish it within 24 hours 

Even with perfect storage, opened beer is best when consumed the same day.

What Alcohol Should Be Kept in the Fridge?

Can You Leave Opened Juice in the Fridge?

Yes, you can leave open juice in the fridge – but it has a shorter lifespan than soft drinks.

• Most opened fruit juices last 3–7 days in the fridge once opened

• Fresh-pressed juices last 24–72 hours due to lack of preservatives

If your juice has a fermented smell or sour taste, it's time to throw it away. Be sure to look at the packaging too – if it's swollen, then throw it in the bin. 

Do Drinks Go Bad Faster If You Leave Them Uncovered in the Fridge?

Yes! Leaving any drink (whether it be wine, beer, or cola) uncovered exposes it to:

• Fridge odours

• Faster oxidation

• Potential contamination

• Faster carbonation loss

Always store your opened drinks in a sealed container where possible, or failing that, cover your drink with a cork, bottle stopper or cap. 

Find out how long drinks take to cool in the fridge in this guide. 

Keep Your Drinks Fresh with Elite Wine Beverage Coolers

If you want to make sure your opened drinks stay fresher for longer, a dedicated beverage cooler is the way forward. 

 Our range of coolers at Elite Wine Refrigeration lets you store soft drinks, wine, beer, and even juice at the perfect temperature, reducing spoilage and preserving flavour.

Check out our collection of drinks fridges today.