Avoid This Storage Mistake When Prepping Batch Cocktails

It's always a privilege to serve up first-rate culinary wonderments as you entertain guests, but that comes with the burden of labor. Depending on the number of attendees you're hosting, you may find yourself cooking more than mingling at your event. The trick is to prepare as many things as possible before the big day. Making batch cocktails and assembling charcuterie boards ahead of time is a lifesaver that allows you to enjoy your get-together rather than fret over it. However, in the case of libations mixed beforehand, be mindful about how they are stored.

To find out more about how to store premade refreshments properly, we sought out the advice of an expert. Jordan Hughes is a cocktail recipe developer and content creator posting as highproofpreacher on TikTok and Instagram. He shared valuable insight on placing batch cocktails in the refrigerator before an event. One element you don't want to include in your premade booze is citrusy ingredients. The aroma of citrus in a spiked beverage is alluring — but only for a time. Hughes said, "Even if stored in the fridge, the flavor and freshness of citrus will not last long and will start to 'shift' even within a few hours of juicing."

You might turn heads if guests taste a beverage with citrus made days in advance, just not in the way you would prefer. Yet Hughes explained that isn't the only culprit you need to be aware of that can turn batch cocktails into a disappointment.

Keeping batch cocktails in storage before serving is a time saver — unless you are stirring fresh ingredients into the mix. Fruity elements like cherries and orange slices don't do well when stored in alcohol over time. When you pull your concoction out of the fridge and see limp, you may see lifeless fruit drowning in your drink. As per Hughes, "When batching cocktails containing fresh ingredients, make sure it is consumed that same day it is made."

"For batched cocktails that are primarily spirit," says Hughes, "you can store these types of cocktails for longer, without any change in flavor because they don't contain anything fresh." While you wouldn't want to use the fridge as a long term storage option for straight bourbon, boozy refreshments without vivid, citrusy ingredients should be alright for a up to a week.

You also want to be wary of the most basic ingredient in batch cocktails: water. Ice cubes will melt over time if added to the mixture, even in the fridge, watering down your beverage. Just like any fresh additions, be sure to ice libations when serving for the best results. It will also impress your guests. Instead of ladling out a premade drink like you're attending a high school soirée, pouring batch cocktails over ice and only then adding a fresh garnish will make your guests feel like you are carefully attending to every detail of their experience.