Kahlua is a match made in heaven for coffee connoisseurs and rum enthusiasts. The curated blend of arabica coffee, vanilla, and rum is delightfully sweet and rich. But did you know that its rich coffee flavor can fade over time?

To have the best sip every time, you have to ask: does Kahlua go bad, and how long does it last? For your peace of mind, we’ll answer just that in this post.
Before we dive in, have a look at our delicious Bailey’s White Russian recipe that perfectly showcases Kahlua alongside Bailey’s.
» Learn more about drinking and enjoying rum in this guide (p.s. there are cocktail recipes too!)
Does Kahlúa Go Bad?
Most alcoholic beverages have an expiration date, and Kahlua is no exception. Industry experts suggest that liquors are consumed within 6-8 months after opening for peak taste. In addition, coffee liqueurs have added sugar and other enhancing ingredients, so they should be consumed within six months after opening.
As mentioned above, the intense coffee taste of an original Kahlua fades over time. However, this liqueur can be stored for a couple of years if you do it right. Knowing its expiration date and how long Kahlua lasts after opening will help you determine that sweet spot.

Kahlua Expiration Date
According to the official Kahlua site, the Original Kahlua beverage has a shelf life of four years. This is after it’s been opened. If properly stored, you can keep it for longer, but it’s really best to just try to drink it within the specified amount of time.
How Does Kahlua Expire
You’ll know when your bottle of Kahlua has expired if it has any sour smell or other off odors. At that point, you should stop drinking it and toss it out. If you’re unsure, take a sniff before you taste it. If you’ve accidentally taken a swig, you probably won’t get sick, but it won’t taste very good.
Here are more ways to spot when your Kahlua has gone bad:
A Change in Appearance
For reference, Kahlua should have a dark brown hue, so discard your Kahlua if you see any sign of discoloration, sugar crystals, curdling, or residue. As you only add cream or ice cream to Kahlua when pouring the drink, the liquid in the bottle should never be creamy or white.
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Mold Growth
While this is highly unlikely, any sign of mold growth should be a definitive indicator to do away with your Kahlua. Since it has a lot of sugar in it, mold can grow if it has come in contact with anything else. So be sure to keep the bottle opening clean and don’t touch it with your fingers or with anything else.
Altered Taste
An expired Kahlua will have a bland or stale taste. For reference, it should have a strong coffee flavor with caramel and vanilla notes. If it tastes different from when you bought it, it’s probably headed downhill.
How Long Does Kahlua Last After Opening?
Once you’ve cracked open your Kahlua, you can keep it stored for up to 18 months. Within this period, it will slowly deteriorate and lose all its robust flavors. Kahlua contains sugar, unlike other harder liquors such as vodka or tequila. And for this reason, it ages much quicker.

Do You Have To Refrigerate Kahlua?
You don’t have to refrigerate Kahlua, but storing it in a cool, dry place will do the trick. If you want, you can store Kahlua in your fridge though it won’t increase its shelf life whatsoever. However, if you are sipping on it regularly, perhaps every weekend, then it might be a good idea to keep it in the fridge.
You can chill your Kahlua in a freezer for about half an hour before drinking, but it should not be stored in a freezer. If you do keep it in your freezer, you’ll end up with a drink that is too thick to pour. We find that freezing Kahlua alters its texture, flavor, and quality, affecting that punch of caramel coffee flavor we know and love.
Extending the Shelf Life of Kahlua
Saving your Kahlua for a special occasion and looking for ways to prolong its shelf life? Well, luckily, there are certain things you can do to keep your beverage fresher for longer:
- The most important thing is to keep your bottle of Kahlua away from direct sunlight. In addition, a cool, dark, and dry place would be an ideal storage space for this product.
- Once opened, make sure that you tightly seal your bottle again. If you don’t do this, the alcohol starts to oxidize, and the flavor seeps out, resulting in tasteless Kahlua.
Final Verdict: How Long is Kahlua Good For?
Kahlua is suitable for up to four years. Drinking it after this period wouldn’t be the most pleasurable experience. It’s also in its prime within the first two years after manufacturing.
So it’s best not to hoard bottles of Kahlua as you would with your wines. Have a look at how you can properly stock up your home bar, which goes into detail about what liquor to stock.
Our best advice is to have your Kahlua soon after purchasing it to savor its flavor and potency.
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Laura is the founder and editor of the travel blogs Savored Sips and Savored Journeys. She is dedicated to sharing the best information about drinks found around the world.
Is the numbers engraved on bottom of bottle the date it was manufactured. if so I have 2 opened bottles a friend gave me to use in pudding shots. They were not refrigerated and bottom numbers are 11-15-21 and 11,-15-22. . Are they still good? Just trying to figure out if she is really my friend. ha ha
Ok, this was an interesting question to research. Here is what I found. Look for a lengthy lot number on the back of the bottle toward the lower edge of the label. The first 4 digits are what you need to tell when it was bottled. There should be an L and then the next number will represent the year. So if the number is a 6, the bottle was produced in 2016. Kahlua has an average shelf life of 4 years. Once the bottle is opened it starts to lose flavor. I hope this helps Sally!
when i was 21 (34years ago…) i was gifted a bottle of kahlua that was purchased in mexico and brought back here to the states.
the bottle is of a sitting aztec god and i just couldn’t bring myself to open it then… now after so many years, i wouldn’t dare open it!
Sounds like an amazing bottle and a great memory!
My Aztec God Kahlua bottle had the numbers LF243F-x16:23 on the label – stored in dark closet since bringing it back from a cruise. is it still good?
In order to know what those numbers mean, you’d have to contact the brand. What year was it that you brought it back?
I have an unopened bottle of Kahlua that I’ve had for several years. The lot shows L9246FJ1011. Does this mean it was bottled in 2009?
Hi Bob. I think it would indicate September 3, 2019, unless you know you’ve had it longer than 2019, then it would be 09.
I purchased a bottle at an estate sale. The label says Mayo 20-1937. It is unopened. Do you think it could still be drinkable?
Hi Emily. That’s an interesting purchase. It’s impossible to know (how was it stored, was it ever accidentally opened or tampered with, etc). However, the company suggests a shelf life of just 4 years, and they say the coffee flavor will fade after that. Imagine what 80 years can do to the flavor.
L9226FJ1209. I have an unopened bottle of Kahlua with this number. Is it safe to try?
That means it was produced in either 2019 or 2009. If it was 19, I’d think it’s probably still okay to try, as long as it was stored properly and there are no off smells or visual clues to it’s demise. If it was 09, that’s quite a bit past the 4 years the company recommends.