Does alcohol preserve lime juice?

[Andre2885]

Not sure if this is the right section, but I am looking at making some ready to go cocktail mixes. Just wondering if I add lime juice to regular 80 proof alcohol (whether its bourbon, vodka or rum), will that be enough to stop the lime juice going off? If so, how long do you think it could last? The lime juice will likely be about 1/4 - 1/3 of the total mixture, so the actual ABV after adding the juice will be in the 20-30% range.

[tanstaafl2]

13 hours ago, Andre2885 said:

Not sure if this is the right section, but I am looking at making some ready to go cocktail mixes. Just wondering if I add lime juice to regular 80 proof alcohol (whether its bourbon, vodka or rum), will that be enough to stop the lime juice going off? If so, how long do you think it could last? The lime juice will likely be about 1/4 - 1/3 of the total mixture, so the actual ABV after adding the juice will be in the 20-30% range.

 

Perhaps the best place for this is in the Cocktail thread?

 

I don't think mixing the juice and trying to keep it more than a few hours, 12 or so at most, would be a good idea. Most bartenders I know feel that juice goes bad quickly whether or not it is premixed. You can mix up the alcohol together in advance but add the juice as close to serving as practical. If you are looking to have a ready made drink for a large number of guests consider making the punches suggested here.

 

The general rule in batching drinks is to not squeeze the fruit for juice until the latest moment possible and add them separately in a cocktail. You can mix them with other non alcoholic things like simple syrup but generally keep the alcoholic ingredients and the juice separate in their own bottles to be mixed as you make the drink. 

[Andre2885]

ok cheers, I guess in my head I was just thinking along the lines of Limoncello, where the alcohol and sugars preserve the juice, but I guess it might have all sorts of other stuff in there too!

Edited September 1, 2016 by Andre2885

[Darwin]

Alcohol will work well with the fruit oils found in the lemon, orange and lime skins.  Sloe Gin is made by macerating the berries with spirits and sugar by lots of folks in the UK.  I make my own flavored vodka with raspberry, cranberry and black berries.  Taste much better than the ones made by Dupont!  

Experiments with small inexpensive items and see...  But Nothing will beat the taste of fresh juice!