Nothing lasts forever. Unfortunately, that includes vodka gummy bears. Now I don’t know your situation. Maybe you’re deciding whether it’s worth making a batch. Maybe you’ve found that batch lying in the cupboard you’ve forgotten about, and you’re wondering whether they’re still good to eat. Or maybe you’re just an obsessed candy lover who has found yourself here just out of pure curiosity. Either way, you’re going to get some answers about the longevity of vodka gummy bears. So let’s get into it before they go off!
So, how long do vodka gummy bears last? Vodka gummy bears will last for a week as long as they are stored in the fridge and covered over. Of course, the best time to eat vodka gummy bears is when they have been freshly prepared. This is when they will taste the best and the freshest. After two to three days, they’ll lose that freshness and eventually go off the longer they are left uneaten.
In other words, the best way to eat vodka gummy bears is the day you make them, and when you intend to have them.
Anything after that and they’re just not going to be as good.
Nonetheless, there are some ways to safely preserve them – as we shall soon explore.
But first…
Contents
How Long Are Vodka Gummy Bears Good For?
Vodka gummies are good for as long as they taste good. Typically, this will be for a week. But certain factors can impact this time to make it shorter or longer.
There isn’t much better in life than a fresh batch of vodka gummies. They taste delicious, and yes, they also can make you feel a little tipsy.
Sadly, vodka gummies won’t be like this forever. How long they do last depends on the storage conditions you decide for them.
We’ll talk a bit more later on about getting the right conditions and avoiding the wrong ones. For now, let’s break down the numbers surrounding the longevity of vodka gummy bears.
Of course, eating them straight away is ideal, but it won’t always be convenient.
You may possibly want to spread out your vodka gummy eating habit.
You may possibly have some left over from a part. Although I think that’s less likely.
Whatever your situation, don’t threat, as your vodka gummies can last some time.
They’ll still be in great condition 2 to 3 days after their creation. This is so long as you have preserved them well.
If you don’t preserve them well, then they will go off before these 2 to 3 days are up.
Out of the pack, gummy bears can last months. However, when you’ve infused them with alcohol, you have reduced that time.
Nevertheless, you can still expect your vodka gummies to be relatively enjoyable after a week. If stored and preserved properly, of course.
If I was being honest, 3 days is an accurate benchmark for optimum vodka gummy eating. After that, the gummies start to become less and less enjoyable.
Now you can test whether or not your vodka gummies have gone off. If they’re mushy, then they’ve probably gone off.
If they’ve lost their plumpness, then they’ve probably lost their alcohol content which means they’re just regular gummy bears once again.
So there are telling signs to look out for.
How To Best Preserve Vodka Gummy Bears
The best way to preserve vodka gummy bears is in a cool, dry place, but ideally, your fridge!
Gummy bears were conceived in a fridge. It’s the best environment for them to not only grow but also to live in.
So if you want to keep your vodka gummy bears fresh for as long as possible, keep them stored in the fridge.
A bowl or a sealed container is fine. So long as they are covered whilst sitting in the fridge.
It’s inevitable at some point down the line that they will get sticky. And when they get sticky, your vodka gummy bears will stick to one another.
Separating them is no problem at all. Simply rinse them in water before returning them to the fridge.
Now you can store your vodka gummies in a cool and dry place that isn’t the fridge.
You’ll still get that 3-day benchmark and most likely the 1 week as well.
But if you really want to push the boundaries, then the fridge is the way to go.
You can also freeze vodka gummies if you’re looking to preserve them for an occasion much further down the line.
When the time comes for them to be eaten, simply take them out of the freezer and leave them in the fridge or a cool, dry place to defrost.
So let’s summarise all of that.
Cool and dry places are suitable storage locations for your vodka gummies. You should get 3 days, possibly a week, depending on the temperature of the surrounding environment.
The fridge is best, however, as it will preserve the vodka gummies for at least a week, although the longevity could, in fact, stretch heaven further.
Freezing is also possible. All you need to do is defrost them when the time comes.
How To Extend The Shelf Life Of Your Vodka Gummy Bears
There are several things you can do to extend the shelf life of your vodka gummy bears. These involve storage conditions and the additions of sugar and citric acid.
Storage Conditions
Let’s talk some more about storage because that’s the key factor here. You get the storage conditions perfect, and you’ll extend the shelf life of your vodka gummy bears.
Storing your vodka gummy bears in a covered container in the fridge is excellent. By doing this, you undoubtedly extend their shelf life.
But why?
Well, in a fridge, the vodka gummy bears won’t melt. They’ll also be kept dry.
But what’s also important is the fact that bacteria don’t grow at cooler temperatures in the fridge, so they can survive for much longer.
By storing your vodka gummy bears in a warm location, you risk them melting, which is not going to aid their longevity at all.
Warm places allow for bacteria to grow substantially as well.
Add Citric Acid
This is a sneaky little trick that only those who are in the know, know about it.
By adding some citric acid to your vodka gummy bears, you do two things. The first is you extend your vodka gummy bears’ shelf life.
This is because citric acid is an effective preservative. The second thing adding citric acid does is a bonus feature.
This is, of course, that it helps bring out the flavors in the vodka gummy bears even more.
Add Sugar
Now I know you’re wondering why on earth would we add more sugar to our vodka gummy bears.
Well, let me explain.
Vodka gummy bears will eventually go moldy, which is not good.
That’s as off as off can be. But if you coat your vodka gummy bears with a layer of sugar, you can avoid mold for some extra time.
How on earth does the added sugar achieve this? Well, sugar binds up the liquid in the vodka gummy bears, creating an environment that isn’t ideal for mold to develop.
So, an added layer of sugar will give your vodka gummy bears new life for some time.
And whilst I don’t condone overindulgence in sugar, one little thin layer won’t hurt. But it certainly won’t disappoint either!
When Should You Make Your Vodka Gummy Bears?
It depends on how you are making them. If you’re using the soak-in alcohol method, then leave you’ll need to make your vodka gummies 24 hours before you need them. If you’re making them from scratch, then you can make them on the day you need them.
When you should make your vodka gummy bears depends on when you need them for and the method you will be using.
So, let’s set out a case study. It’s Friday morning.
You’ve got some friends coming around Saturday night, and you’ve told them that you’re going to be serving vodka gummy bears.
How exciting. Where was my invite?
Now you need to decide what method you’re using.
Let’s say you want to do the soak-in alcohol method.
This method requires 24 hours at least for the alcohol to soak into your gummy bears.
With this method, you should probably look at making your vodka gummy bears pretty soon. That way, you will give them 24 hours plus to develop.
They’ll then be ready Saturday night for you and your friends to enjoy.
Now, let’s say you’re going to be making your vodka gummy bears from scratch. You’d think this would take more time, wouldn’t you?
Well, it is, in fact, quicker as you’re not soaking the gummy bears in alcohol. Instead, you are putting the alcohol directly in with the mixture.
So all you need to do is allow the gummy bears to harden, which will take between 2 to 3 hours so long as you have a decent fridge!
No matter what method you use, you should leave plenty of time before your friends are due. Let’s face it; you can’t just pop a batch out in half an hour!
Finally
Well, there you have it. Vodka gummy bears don’t last forever.
You can definitely increase their longevity.
Storage is key, but if you need a little boost, get the citric acid and sugar out.
Hopefully, you never have to experience a vodka gummy bear that’s gone off.
I never have.
But that’s because they’re usually all gone!
Related Guides:
- Best Candy To Soak In Alcohol • 5 Of The Best To Try! •
- How To Make Vodka Gummy Bears Not Slimy • And Why They Do •
- How To Make Alcoholic Gummy Bears From Scratch
- How Many Vodka Gummy Bears Equals A Shot?
Hello, I’m Matthew, a candy expert and enthusiast with over a decade of experience in the candy industry. My passion for candy started at a very young age. Since then, I have worked in numerous, large candy stores, and have been fortunate enough to try out hundreds of brands of candies, different types and flavors. In addition to my work, I enjoy sharing my extensive knowledge with others, and decided to create Sugar Stand in order to do so. My mission is to make the world a sweeter place, one candy at a time.