Keep It Clean

• Thoroughly clean the inside of a plastic jug before your transfer vodka to it. Vodka is an antiseptic, yet if you pour it into a dirty vessel, bacterial growth may result. This is rare, but always err on the side of safety by cleaning the plastic jug. Focus on the mouth of the jug when cleaning it, particularly if people have sipped directly from the container in the past.

Regulate Temperature

• The best place to keep your vodka is in the refrigerator or freezer, with the cap tightly sealed. The ideal temperature for freezer storage is zero degrees Fahrenheit. The next best option is a cool, covered cabinet or shelf in a dry place that is out of direct sunlight and away from any heat sources so that the plastic does not melt. Do not expose vodka to temperature extremes. For example, do not store the jug in the freezer, then place it in the sun all day and later return it to the freezer. Doing this is likely to compromise the integrity of your vodka.

Mind Storage Time

• Plastic slowly breaks down over time and releases chemicals in the process. Because these chemicals are found in higher concentrations in plastics that contain BPA, use a container labeled as BPA-free. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, when consumed in low amounts, BPA has not been proved to be hazardous to consumers. It takes an extremely long time for plastic to decompose with estimates of up to 450 years for one bottle. The rate at which plastic breaks down and releases chemicals, however, is increased by exposure to high heat -- another reason to avoid exposing a vodka-filled plastic jug to warm temperatures.

Tips and Considerations

• If you have a couple of half-used bottles of vodka in your pantry, it may be tempting to combine them into a larger plastic jug. While this poses no safety concerns, it will alter the taste of the final product. The mixture will take on the flavor of the stronger vodka.

  If stored without a tight-fitting lid, the jug may leak, the contents may evaporate, or if you store it in the freezer, your vodka may suffer freezer burn. Regardless of where you store it, consume the vodka within a year or two of opening it to ensure the best taste.