Post #381252 by Chip and Andy on Mon, May 19, 2008 1:22 PM

Koolau offers the link to the best thread, and poking aroundin the Drinks forum will turn up many requests for large batch drinks.

The short version for those not wanting to poke around too deeply:

Liquors can be mixed together at any time for just about any length of time in advance.

Lower proof stuff like liqueurs shouldn't be mixed together more than a couple of days in advance.

Liquors and Liqueurs shouldn't be mixed together more than a couple of days in advance.

Any fresh juice stops being fresh pretty quick so plan on no more than the day before. Morning of is better if you have to do it advance.

Break your recipe into parts.... Mix liquors in one serving vessel, mix other modifiers in one serving vessel, mix juices in one vessel. Pour together into one vessel just before the party starts, or if you can wait until the first guest arrives that is even better.

Every drink is a bit different, some things actually require some 'sit time' to be good, others need to be made as needed.

If you are ever not sure about how long a recipe will sit, make a double serving for a test and have one fresh and let the other one sit for about how long you think it will sit and try it again. If you like it, and more importantly you think your guests will like it, you are all set with advance mixing.

Good luck, do please tell us how it goes and what you figure out.