How to Properly Store Batched Cocktails — and How Long They’ll Last
Prepping drinks for a party can be overwhelming, but one of the easiest ways to make it less stressful is by batching cocktails ahead of time. Not only does this ensure a seamless and balanced drinking experience for your guests, but it also cuts back significantly on the amount of time you’ll spend playing bartender instead of socializing. But what happens if there’s some of that cocktail batch leftover at the end of the night? Should it just be thrown out?
In short, it depends. As there are different levels to batched cocktails — some can be built in their entirety while others can be half-constructed and finished in the moment — each has its own shelf life to consider, though some general rules do apply. For example, while some cocktails like spirit-forward Manhattans might stay good for weeks, others, like those incorporating fresh citrus juice, may only remain peak-fresh for a few hours.
From Martinis to Margaritas and beyond, read on to check out how to properly store batched cocktails and discover how long they’ll last.
How to Properly Store Batches of Spirit-Forward, Stirred Cocktails
When it comes to the best category of cocktails to batch ahead of time, none are better than spirit-forward cocktails that are traditionally stirred, like the Martini, Negroni, and Manhattan. Considering these drinks tend to only incorporate spirits, liqueurs, or sweeteners — a.k.a. shelf-stable ingredients — they tend to have the longest shelf life of all batched cocktails. Moreover, the higher ABV of these drinks prevents them from freezing solid or turning into a spiritous slushie when kept in the freezer, which is the best way to store them.
For the best storage conditions, make sure that your batched cocktail is kept upright in an air-tight container to reduce the risk of oxidation. This can be an old, empty spirits bottle (perhaps the very bottle of vodka or gin you used for your batched Martini) or a swing-top glass bottle. No matter what, just ensure there’s a cap that prevents air from getting in and liquid from escaping.
With the proper storage, how long your spirit-forward cocktails will stay fresh depends on the shelf-life of its most perishable ingredient. Take cocktails like the Manhattan and the Boulevardier, for example. Both drinks incorporate sweet vermouth into the build, which tends to remain at peak freshness for about a month after opening. As such, you can expect your Manhattans and Boulevardiers to stay at top quality for roughly the same amount of time. It’s important to note that after four to five weeks, the drink isn’t spoiled by any means; the vermouth just might taste less pronounced. Other stirred cocktails, like Old Fashioneds, will remain in peak condition indefinitely if stored right side up in an airtight container in the freezer.
How to Properly Store Batched Citrus Cocktails
There are a few things to keep in mind when batching a cocktail that requires fresh citrus juice. First and foremost, if you’re batching well ahead of time, it’s best to not incorporate any fresh citrus into the build as leaving the juice to sit too long will cause it to lose its vibrancy or even turn bitter. Instead, hold off for as long as possible and either add the fresh juice directly before setting the batch out, or squeeze a helping of citrus into each individual cocktail for the best results. That said, if you have some batched Margaritas left over, there’s no need to pour the rest down the drain.
For batched citrus cocktails that have the juice directly added in, you can expect the mixture to stay good in the refrigerator for, at most, two to three days. To ensure the combination stays as fresh as possible during this time, keep it in an airtight container that’s as close in size to the volume of liquid you aim to store. The more airspace present in the bottle, the faster oxidation will take place, transforming the cocktail into something not worth drinking. If you’re looking for even more longevity out of your batched citrus cocktails, though, don’t be afraid to toss the mixture in the freezer.
According to industry veteran Jeffrey Morgenthaler, cocktails involving citrus can stay good when frozen for up to a year as long as they’re stored in an airtight container. As there are non-alcoholic ingredients involved, the mixture will freeze, but don’t despair — the night before you plan on drinking the cocktail, simply let it defrost in the fridge overnight. If you’re in more of a rush, you’ll need 30 minutes to one hour for the cocktail to melt. As tempting as it may be, Morganthaler advises against pouring off any cocktails before the entire mixture has defrosted. Due to the varying densities of the liquid ingredients, they will all defrost at different rates and you’ll end up with an unbalanced drink if you pour prematurely.
How to Properly Store Batched Dairy Cocktails
The No. 1 thing to keep in mind when storing batched cocktails made with dairy is that they must be kept in the refrigerator. While liqueurs like Bailey’s and RumChata might remain shelf stable at room temperature, dairy cocktails will start to turn after just two hours at room temperature. If refrigerated, though, you can expect things like batched Grasshopers to stay fresh for two and four days if they contain less than 14 percent ABV, the general threshold for alcohol to kill pathogens that could develop over time. For dairy cocktails with more than 14 percent ABV, like some batches of homemade eggnog, they can age for weeks, sometimes months. The beauty of dairy-based cocktails is that it’s relatively easy to tell when the mixture has spoiled — if anything about the combination looks or smells off, it’s probably best to pour it down the drain. And if you’re not looking to store your dairy cocktails for a long period of time, it’s best to prepare the mixture a few hours before you plan on serving it to ensure peak quality.
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