On a scorching summer day, nothing beats a refreshing, ice-cold bubble tea! With buy-one-get-one-free deals, we sometimes buy a few extra cups and save them to drink later. But how long can these shaken beverages actually last?
How long can unopened beverages last?
- Pure tea: Can last 1–2 days in the refrigerator.
- Milk-based drinks: Because they contain fresh milk, it is best to finish them within a day.
- Juice-based drinks: Without preservatives and with a base that spoils easily, it is recommended to finish them within a day.
How long can opened beverages last?
- For drinks that have been opened, sipped directly, or pierced with a straw, it is recommended not to keep them for more than 24 hours, even in the fridge. Because your mouth has touched them, bacteria will multiply rapidly. Sugary drinks, dairy-based drinks, and fruit juices are especially prone to bacterial growth, spoiling, and off-flavors. Therefore, opened drinks are best consumed as soon as possible and should not be left overnight, even when refrigerated.
How long can they last at room temperature in the summer?
- Not even a day! With summer temperatures easily soaring, drinks in hot environments practically turn into breeding grounds for bacteria. Opened beverages are best finished within 2 hours. If you truly cannot finish them, storing them in the fridge means they should still be consumed within 24 hours. For your health’s sake, it’s better to just toss out what you can’t finish.
Conclusion
The shelf life of bubble tea and shaken drinks depends on whether they have been opened, the storage temperature, and the drink base. At room temperature in the summer, it is recommended to finish them within 2 hours. Furthermore, these drinks taste best when consumed within 2 hours, so it’s best not to buy too much at once to avoid compromising flavor and health.