Do Energy Drinks Go Bad at Room Temperature?

October 12, 2025 •

3 min read

According to manufacturers, unopened energy drinks stored at room temperature typically have a shelf life of 6 to 9 months, though they can sometimes last longer. While they might remain safe to consume past the 'best by' date, their flavor, carbonation, and potency will decline over time, and improper storage can accelerate this process.

Quick Summary

An unopened energy drink can stored at room temperature is generally safe for 6-9 months, but heat and sunlight degrade its flavor and effectiveness. Signs of spoilage include loss of carbonation, off-putting odor, or unusual taste. Opened cans should be refrigerated and consumed within a day or two.

Key Points

Shelf Life: Unopened energy drinks stored properly at room temperature are typically safe for 6-9 months past the 'best by' date, but quality degrades over time.
Quality vs. Safety: The 'best by' date indicates peak quality, not immediate spoilage. The beverage is usually safe to consume after this date, but flavor and potency will diminish.
Heat is the Enemy: Extreme heat, such as that in a hot car or garage, accelerates the degradation of flavor and can cause pressure buildup leading to a can bursting.
Open Cans Spoil Quickly: An opened energy drink exposed to air at room temperature should be discarded within 24 hours to prevent bacterial contamination.
Check for Spoilage: Before consuming an old energy drink, check for signs of spoilage like a strange odor, unusual color, or a flat taste.
Proper Storage is Key: For maximum longevity, store unopened energy drinks in a cool, dry, and dark place away from direct sunlight and heat sources.

The Shelf Life of Unopened Energy Drinks at Room Temperature

For unopened energy drinks, the "go bad" process is more about a decline in quality than a sudden spoilage, especially when stored at stable room temperature. The can's airtight seal, coupled with the beverage's acidity and preservatives like sodium benzoate and citric acid, makes it highly stable and resistant to microbial growth. The 'best by' date on the can indicates when the product is at its peak quality, not when it becomes unsafe. Most manufacturers recommend a shelf life of 6 to 9 months, provided the cans are kept in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and extreme heat. However, some preservatives can keep the product safe for up to two years past this date, though with significant quality loss.

What Happens to an Energy Drink Over Time?

Even in an unopened can, the passage of time affects the chemical composition of the drink. The key ingredients that provide the 'boost' can start to degrade. B-vitamins, for instance, are sensitive to light and heat, and their effectiveness can decrease over time. The carbonation, which contributes to the beverage's crisp taste, can also begin to dissipate slowly. High temperatures accelerate this degradation, causing flavors to change and the drink to lose its fizz more quickly. For this reason, leaving a case of energy drinks in a hot garage or car is a bad idea, as the heat can also increase internal pressure and potentially cause a can to burst.

The Fate of Opened Energy Drinks at Room Temperature

Once an energy drink is opened, its shelf life is drastically reduced. Exposure to air introduces bacteria, and the carbonation begins to escape immediately. An opened energy drink left at room temperature should be discarded after a day, as it is susceptible to spoilage. While an opened can stored in the refrigerator might last a few days longer, it will quickly lose its carbonation and refreshing taste. Signs of an opened energy drink going bad include: a flat taste, a change in color, or a strange, sour odor.

How to Store Your Energy Drinks Properly

To maximize the shelf life and preserve the quality of your energy drinks, proper storage is crucial. The ideal conditions are a cool, dry, and dark place. A pantry or cupboard is a perfect choice, as it protects the cans from both light and temperature fluctuations. Avoid storing them near heat-generating appliances like ovens or refrigerators, as even small temperature changes can affect the product over time.

Comparison of Storage Conditions


Feature	Unopened at Stable Room Temperature	Unopened in Hot Environment	Opened at Room Temperature
Timeframe	6-9 months (high quality) to ~2 years (safety)	Significantly reduced (weeks or months)	Less than 24 hours
Risk of Spoilage	Very Low	Moderate to High (quality and safety)	High
Quality Degradation	Slow and gradual	Fast, with flavor and potency loss	Immediate loss of carbonation and flavor
Visual Signs	Minimal, unless very old	Bulging can, rusted parts, flavor change	Flat, off-color, strange smell
Primary Risk	Loss of optimal taste and potency	Can bursting due to pressure, off-flavors	Microbial contamination, foodborne illness

Conclusion: When in Doubt, Throw it Out

While an unopened energy drink stored at a stable room temperature is generally safe to consume for a significant time past its 'best by' date, its quality will inevitably decline. The flavor will flatten, and the potent ingredients may lose their effectiveness. An opened can, however, becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and should be consumed quickly or discarded, especially if left out. The best advice is to trust your senses; if an energy drink looks, smells, or tastes off, it's not worth the risk. Proper storage is the key to maintaining the best possible quality for as long as possible. For more information on general food and beverage safety, resources are available from institutions like the FDA.

Signs of a Spoiled Energy Drink

Off-Putting Odor: The drink smells sour, fermented, or otherwise unusual.
Flatness: A carbonated energy drink has lost all its fizziness.
Color Change: The liquid has changed color or appears cloudy.
Can Damage: The can is bulging, leaking, or rusted, indicating a compromised seal.
Unusual Taste: The drink tastes different than it should, indicating ingredient degradation.

Frequently Asked Questions

An unopened energy drink is generally good for 6 to 9 months past the 'best by' date when stored at a stable room temperature. After this period, its quality, including flavor and potency, will gradually decrease, but it may still be safe to drink for up to two years.

While it's unlikely to cause serious harm if the drink was properly stored, an expired energy drink can have a diminished flavor, less carbonation, and reduced effectiveness. In rare cases, consuming a compromised drink could lead to an upset stomach.

You can tell an energy drink has gone bad if it has a sour or strange smell, tastes flat or unusual, or if the can is bulging or leaking. A color change or cloudiness in the liquid is also a warning sign.

It is not recommended to leave an energy drink in a hot car. Extreme temperatures can cause the flavors and active ingredients to degrade rapidly. The heat can also increase the internal pressure, which could potentially cause the can to rupture.

An opened energy drink left at room temperature should be thrown out within 24 hours due to bacterial exposure and loss of carbonation. If refrigerated and sealed, it might last a few days, but the quality will decline quickly.

No, a 'best by' date indicates when the product is at its peak quality. An expiration date, used on very few foods, indicates when the product may no longer be safe to consume. For energy drinks, the 'best by' is a guideline for quality, not a strict safety cutoff.

Energy drinks have a long shelf life primarily because of their high acidity and the use of preservatives like sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate. These ingredients create an environment that is hostile to microbial growth, allowing the product to last for months or even years.