Do Monster Energy Drinks Expire? How Long Do They Last?
As I was cleaning out my pantry, I thought, do monster energy drinks expire, or can I still use them? So, I decided to do some research and found out Monster energy drinks do have an expiration date (just like other drinks).
In this blog, I’ll help you understand how long Monster lasts and how to keep it fresh, so you never waste a drop!
Key Points
- Monster Energy drinks expire, and their taste and effectiveness change after the expiration date.
- An opened Monster should be consumed within 24-48 hours if refrigerated.
- Unopened cans can last up to 24 months if stored in a cool place.
- Drinking expired Monster can lead to an upset stomach or reduced energy boost.
- Ingredients like caffeine and taurine lose potency after the drink expires.
- Keep your Monster drinks away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.
- Expired Monster Energy drinks can be repurposed for cleaning metal surfaces or as plant fertilizer.
Do Monster Energy Drinks Expire? (All the Details)
Yes, Monster Energy drinks do expire. Just like other beverages, they have an expiration date. While they don’t spoil immediately, the taste, texture, and effectiveness may change after the expiration date.
The drink might lose its carbonation and some of the ingredients may not work as well. It’s always best to check the expiration date on the can before consuming.
What ingredients in Monster Energy drinks affect their expiry? Several ingredients in Monster Energy drinks can impact how long they stay fresh. For example, caffeine, preservatives like citric acid, and carbonation help extend the shelf life.
However, some natural ingredients, like taurine and B vitamins, may lose their potency over time. The sugars and sweeteners in Monster drinks can also affect their flavor and texture as the drink ages.
Does Monster Go Bad If Not Refrigerated?
Monster Energy drinks can go bad if they are not refrigerated after opening. Once opened, it’s best to keep the drink in the fridge and consume it within 24 hours. An unopened can can be kept at room temperature, but once you open it, refrigeration is key to keeping it fresh.
How Long Do Monster Energy Drinks Expire?
An opened Monster Energy drink can expire quickly. Once you open a can, it’s best to drink it within 24 to 48 hours. After that, the drink might lose its flavor, carbonation, and effectiveness. You should store it in the fridge to keep it fresh for a bit longer but don’t expect it to last like an unopened can.
How Long Do Monster Energy Drinks Last Unopened?
Unopened Monster Energy drinks can last 18 to 24 months when stored in a cool, dry place. The shelf life is longer because the can is sealed, keeping the ingredients fresh and the drink safe to consume. However, after the expiration date, the taste and quality might not be as good.
Monster Energy Drinks Shelf Life Table
| Counter | Fridge | Freezer | |
| Opened | 1 day | 24-48 hours | Not recommended |
| Unopened | 18-24 months | 18-24 months | Not recommended |
Wondering about caffeine content too? Find out how much caffeine is in White Monster and compare it with other popular options.
How to Read Expiration Date on Monster Drinks
Monster Energy drinks have expiration dates printed on the bottom of the can. The date usually follows a standard format like “Best By” or “Best Before” followed by the date. Sometimes, there’s a Monster expiration code 2024 if the drink is meant to expire that year.
It’s important to pay attention to this code to ensure you’re drinking it when it’s still fresh. The expiration date helps ensure that the drink retains its original taste and energy-boosting properties.
In some cases, like with Java Monster expiration date, these drinks might have shorter expiration times due to their coffee-based ingredients. Always check the bottom of the can or the side near the barcode for the expiration date.
If you see that the date has passed, it’s a good idea to discard the drink, even if it hasn’t been opened. Consuming it past its expiration might not be harmful immediately, but it can affect your experience.
How Long Does Monster Energy Last in Your Body?
Monster Energy can last in your body for about 4 to 6 hours. The caffeine inside the drink boosts your energy for the first few hours, but it takes time for your body to break it down.
Half of the caffeine in Monster drinks remains in your body for about 6 hours, and it can take up to 12 hours for it to leave your system completely. So, if you drink one, you might feel its effects throughout the day.
How Long Does Monster Energy Take to Kick In?
Monster Energy drinks start to kick in within 10 to 15 minutes after you drink them. The caffeine in the drink gets absorbed into your bloodstream quickly, giving you a boost of energy. You’ll likely feel the peak effects between 30 minutes to an hour after drinking it.
During this time, you’ll experience the most noticeable increase in alertness, energy, and focus. However, this energy boost varies depending on your tolerance to caffeine.
What Happens When You Drink an Expired Monster Energy Drink?
Drinking an expired Monster Energy drink might not immediately harm you, but the taste, texture, and effectiveness could be unpleasant. The drink may taste flat and lose its energy-boosting properties.
If the drink has been expired for a long time, consuming it might cause minor stomach discomfort.
Upset Stomach
One of the most common side effects of drinking an expired Monster Energy drink is an upset stomach. The ingredients in the drink, especially the caffeine and carbonation, can cause irritation to your stomach if they have gone bad.
You might feel bloating, nausea, or even experience gas after drinking an expired energy drink. This happens because the chemical composition of the drink changes over time, leading to a less-than-ideal effect on your digestive system.
Reduced Energy Boost
Another side effect is a reduced energy boost. After the expiration date, Monster Energy drinks can lose their potency. This means that the caffeine, taurine, and other energy-boosting ingredients may not work as well as they would in a fresh drink.
You might drink the entire can and still feel tired or sluggish because the active ingredients have broken down.
So, while it might not make you sick, it won’t give you the energy you’re looking for.
Flat Taste
Expired Monster drinks can also lose their carbonation, leading to a flat taste. The drink may taste stale, dull, or “off.” The sugars and sweeteners in the drink might also begin to break down, affecting the flavor.
If you take a sip and notice that it tastes bad, it’s a sign that the drink has expired or gone bad. Drinking it might not make you feel great, and it won’t taste enjoyable.
From energy drinks to water, understanding expiration is key. Find out when sparkling water may go bad and why it matters.
How Can You Tell if a Monster Energy Drink Has Gone Bad?
You can tell if a Monster Energy drink has gone bad by:
- Checking its expiration date
- Looking for changes in color
- Changing in taste
- Inspecting the can for any damage.
If the Monster energy drink smells off, tastes strange, or is flat, it’s likely expired or spoiled.
Check Expiration Label
The first and easiest way to tell if a Monster Energy drink has gone bad is by checking the expiration label. Monster cans have an expiration date printed on the bottom or side of the can. If the date has passed, there’s a good chance the drink is no longer fresh.
Drinking a Monster after its expiration date won’t give you the best taste or the same energy-boosting effects. It’s always best to avoid drinking it once the date has passed.
Change in Smell
Another sign that your Monster Energy drink has gone bad is a strange or unusual smell. When a drink starts to spoil, its ingredients break down and can produce a sour or off-putting odor.
If you open your can of Monster and notice a bad smell, it’s a strong sign that you shouldn’t drink it. Energy drinks are meant to have a sweet or fruity smell, depending on the flavor, so anything that smells different is a warning that the drink has gone bad.
Different Color or Texture
You can also look at the color or texture of your Monster Energy drink to see if it’s expired. If the drink has changed color or looks cloudy, this could mean that it’s spoiled. The carbonation may have faded, and the drink might look flat or less bubbly than usual.
If you notice anything like this, it’s best not to drink it. The change in texture or color means the ingredients have likely broken down and are no longer fresh.
How Should You Store Monster Energy Drinks to Keep Them Fresh?
To keep Monster Energy drinks fresh, store them in a dry place. Once opened, refrigerate the drink and consume it within 24 to 48 hours.
Here are the four things to remember when you have to store Monster energy drinks:
Store in a Dry Place
The best way to keep your Monster Energy drinks fresh is by storing them in a dry place. A pantry and cupboard are the two best spots because they are away from heat and sunlight.
It’s also important to keep the cans in an upright position to avoid any leakage or damage to the can, which could spoil the drink.
Refrigerate After Opening
Once you’ve opened a Monster Energy drink, you need to refrigerate it to keep it fresh. According to the Trends in Beverage Packaging Volume 16, the fridge slows down the breakdown of the drink’s ingredients and helps preserve its carbonation.
Refrigerating the drink after opening can extend its life by a few days, but it’s still best to consume it within 24 to 48 hours. This ensures you get the full taste and energy boost.
Avoid Freezing Monster Drinks
Although you might think freezing a Monster Energy drink will help it last longer, it’s actually not a good idea. In my experience, freezing can change the taste and texture of the drink, especially since it’s carbonated.
When frozen, the carbonation could lead to the can expanding or even bursting, which is both messy and dangerous.
Freezing can also cause the ingredients to separate, resulting in an unpleasant texture once thawed. For best results, keep your Monster Energy drinks in the fridge or a cool place, but never in the freezer.
Keep Cans Sealed and Unopened Until Use
Another key to keeping your Monster Energy drinks fresh is to leave the can sealed until you’re ready to drink it. The article Energy Beverages: Content and Safety says to always check the can for any damage before drinking.
The seal helps preserve the carbonation and the drink’s freshness. Once opened, the drink starts to lose its bubbles and energy-boosting effects. By leaving the can unopened, you ensure that the drink stays in its best condition until you’re ready to enjoy it.
So, avoid opening cans if you don’t plan to drink them right away.
Can You Still Use Expired Monster Energy Drinks for Other Things?
Yes, you can still use expired Monster Energy drinks for other things, like cleaning metal surfaces or as a plant fertilizer. However, you should avoid drinking them if they’ve passed their expiration date.
Use Expired Monster to Clean Metal Surfaces
Believe it or not, you can use expired Monster Energy drinks to clean metal surfaces. The citric acid found in Monster drinks can help remove rust and stains from metal objects.
All you need to do is pour some of the expired drink onto the metal surface and let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing it off. The acid will break down the grime, making your metal surfaces look cleaner and shinier. This trick works well for things like tools, jewelry, and kitchen items.
Use as Plant Fertilizer
Expired Monster Energy drinks can also be used as a plant fertilizer. While this might sound strange, the sugars and certain minerals in the drink can provide a quick boost of energy for your plants.
Just make sure to dilute the drink with plenty of water before pouring it onto the soil. This way, the sugars won’t overwhelm the plant, and you can still get some use out of an expired can of Monster.
However, don’t rely on it as a long-term fertilizer since plants need more balanced nutrients to thrive.
Make DIY Cleaner for Windows
You can also turn expired Monster Energy drinks into a DIY window cleaner. The carbonation and acidic properties help lift dirt and grime off glass surfaces, leaving them shiny and clear. Simply spray the expired drink onto your windows and wipe them down with a clean cloth.
This can be a fun and creative way to make use of a drink that you wouldn’t want to consume. Plus, it’s a more eco-friendly option compared to using chemical-based cleaners.
De-Ice Your Driveway
In winter, expired Monster Energy drinks can come in handy as a de-icer. The sugars in the drink can lower the freezing point of water, making it useful for melting ice on sidewalks or driveways.
If you have some old cans of Monster that you don’t want to drink, simply pour them over icy areas to help melt the ice.
While it’s not as strong as commercial de-icers, it can still help in a pinch.
Conclusion
To keep your Monster Energy drink fresh and safe, remember these key points:
- Monster Energy drinks do expire, so always check the date.
- Opened cans should be refrigerated and used within 24-48 hours.
- Unopened cans last up to 24 months in a dry place.
- Avoid freezing Monster Energy drinks, as it affects their quality.
- Drinking an expired Monster may cause an upset stomach and reduced energy boost.
Now, you can enjoy Monster at its best. Stay energized!
