Storing vodka in the Freezer 

 There’s a reason why vodka is one of the most popular spirits in the world. It has a neutral flavour and is very versatile – from sipping it straight to mixing in cocktails. Whether you’ve been given a bottle of vodka as a gift or have bought some yourself, you may now be wondering how best to store it. And ultimately: can vodka go in the freezer?  

That’s where this guide comes in. We’ll break down the ins and outs of freezing vodka, including what happens to the spirit, and if it tastes better ice cold. 

Read on to find out what happens when vodka reaches freezing point.

Jump straight to:

• Should you keep vodka in the freezer?
• Can vodka actually freeze?
• Does freezing vodka change its characteristics?
• Best advice for storing vodka
• Cool your vodka to taste
• FAQs

Should you keep vodka in the freezer?

Whether or not you keep vodka in the freezer is down to personal preference. Many people do store vodka in the freezer, so if you choose to do so, you won’t be alone.

Why people freeze vodka

There are few reasons why people choose to freeze vodka, including: 

• Improved taste. Freezing vodka makes it taste less harsh, especially when drinking it straight with no mixers or additions. 
• Numbing quality. Vodka can leave a burning sensation in the throat but when served very cold, practically frozen, it can slightly numb the throat. 
• Viscous texture. Freezing vodka increases viscosity which can help it become softer and more palatable. 
• Mixing. Freezer-cold vodka can be a nice touch if making cocktails, like a Martini, which is traditionally served at lip-smackingly cold temperatures. 

Bear in mind that not all vodkas are best suited for sub-zero temperatures. You’ll find that some higher quality vodkas are ideally served closer to room temperature. But, at the end of the day, how you drink your vodka is entirely up to you.

Vodka’s freezing point

Vodka’s freezing point is around -27°C. But did you know that a standard household freezer only reaches around -18°C? Thanks to the increased alcohol content, some higher-proof vodkas can even have a lower freezing temperature, making them difficult to freeze entirely at home. 

Can vodka actually freeze?

If you place a bottle of vodka in your personal freezer, it will simply come out very chilled, but still a liquid. It will only freeze if it reaches –27°C, known as the freezing point depression. Most domestic freezers simply don’t get cold enough to freeze vodka.

Why doesn’t vodka freeze

There’s one big reason why vodka doesn’t freeze: its alcohol percentage. 40% ABV is standard across base liquors, like vodka, gin and whiskey. Because of this, these spirits will not freeze in a standard freezer. 

If the freezer is very cold, then the vodka may take on more of a slushy consistency – but you’ll never open the door to a block of frozen vodka.  

The slushy consistency appears when the water molecules start to crystallise, but the alcohol prevents them from freezing completely. 

What happens if vodka freezes?

If your vodka freezes, or gets slushy, the water component will expand, potentially cracking the bottle. To reduce the risk of this happening, leave some room at the top of the bottle to give space for expansion. 

Does freezing vodka change its characteristics?

Yes, adjusting the temperature of vodka can affect a number of the spirit’s key characteristics.

Taste and aroma

If you don’t like how harsh some vodka can taste, low temperatures can soften some of the flavours. In fact, the colder it gets, the more muted the taste gets. This is why some people favour room-temperature vodka, to fully capture all the flavours and aromas in the glass. 

That said, most vodkas are distilled until they’re completely neutral with barely any aroma, so cold vodka isn’t going to taste drastically different.  

Texture and viscosity

Very cold vodka has a richer and smoother feel in the mouth. The colder the vodka is, the thicker and more viscous its texture becomes, thanks to the different freezing points of water and alcohol. For the optimum experience, try to enjoy your vodka between 0°C and 4°C.  

Considerations for different types of vodka

While neutral types of vodka can handle being frozen, it’s not always recommended for vodkas with a distinctive flavour. Sometimes, excessively low temperatures can remove some of the nuance – and we wouldn’t want to ruin a good vodka. 

Before putting your vodka straight into the freezer, try cooling it slowly with refrigeration. That being said, Absolut Vodka offers the same great experience even when stored in the freezer. 

If you do opt to freeze, just give it a gentle shake prior to serving. 

Best advice for storing vodka

You should aim to store your vodka correctly to ensure it keeps the same quality and taste as long as you need it to.  

Here’s our top tips on storing vodka: 

• Keep it stored in an upright position to prevent the cap from affecting the taste. 
• If you’re not freezing or refrigerating it, store it in a cool, dark place 
• Keep it away from direct sunlight and heat, at room temperature. 

To freeze or not to freeze

To freeze or not to freeze, that is the question. And really, it comes down to the type of vodka. Bear in mind that flavoured vodka or one with several ingredients might need cooling in a more considered way. 

While we think Absolut Vodka is best kept at room temperature, it really is all about personal choice. Freezing probably won’t affect the quality of your Absolut Vodka, so if you’re partial to a vodka on the colder side, go ahead and freeze. 

Alternative chilling methods

There are other options to achieving a crisp, cold vodka without putting the bottle in the freezer. Here’s some suggestions: 

• You could keep it in the fridge 
• Place it in an ice bath 
• Pour over ice cubes 
• And on a particularly frosty winter’s day, you could even leave it outside. 

Enjoy your vodka drink, your way.