Let liquids made with Big Mouth concentrates steep for 3 to 7 days before use. Fruit, citrus and cooling flavours are usually ready after about 3 days; candy and soft drink profiles after 3 to 5; dessert, bakery and tobacco profiles benefit from the full 7 days. Store the bottle closed, cool and dark, and shake it briefly once a day.
Steeping is the rest period between mixing and using a liquid. This guide explains what happens during those days, how long each Big Mouth flavour line needs, how to steep properly and how to tell when a liquid is ready. For dosage and a mixing calculator, see how to mix Big Mouth concentrates.
What steeping does
Straight after mixing, the concentrate and the base are combined but not yet settled. Flavour compounds still need time to spread evenly through the thicker PG/VG base, and the sharper top notes of a fresh mix soften. A liquid tasted on day one can seem thin, harsh or unbalanced; the same liquid a few days later usually tastes rounder and more complete, with the flavour coming through as intended.
Profiles with many layers, such as custards, pastries and cereal, change the most during steeping. Simple, bright profiles such as single fruits, citrus and menthol change the least, which is why they are ready sooner.
Steeping times by Big Mouth line
| Profile | Big Mouth lines | Recommended steep |
|---|---|---|
| Fruit, citrus, cooling | Jungle Hit, Just, Ice Hit | About 3 days |
| Candy, soft drink, mixed | Classical, The Candy Shop, Fizzy, All Loved Up, Smooth Summer | 3 to 5 days |
| Dessert, bakery, tobacco | Tasty, Yummy, Retro Juice | 5 to 7 days |
The Classical line covers many profiles, so steep each flavour by its type: a Classical fruit flavour behaves like the first row, a Classical dessert like the last. The profile is listed on every product page.
How to steep, step by step
- Shake well after mixing. One to two minutes, until the liquid looks even with no streaks.
- Close and label the bottle. Write the flavour, the dosage and the mixing date, so you know when it is ready.
- Store it cool and dark. A cupboard or drawer at room temperature, away from heat and direct sunlight.
- Shake once a day. A short shake helps the flavour spread through the base.
- Taste after the minimum time. Try the liquid after 3 days; if it still tastes sharp or flat, give it more time within the 7-day range.
How to tell a liquid is ready
- The flavour tastes rounded and complete, rather than sharp or thin.
- No single note dominates the way it did straight after mixing.
- The taste stays the same from one day to the next, which means steeping has finished.
Some dessert and cream profiles darken slightly as they steep. This is a normal colour change of the flavour compounds and does not affect the liquid.
Can steeping be sped up?
Many mixers use gentle warmth, such as placing the closed bottle in warm water, to shorten steeping. Moderate warmth can speed the process up, but heat can also flatten delicate fruit and cooling notes. For the most faithful result, Big Mouth recommends natural steeping at room temperature for the times above.
Do Aroma-Shots need steeping?
Yes. An Aroma-Shot or Aroma-Shot XL contains the flavour already measured into a larger bottle; once the bottle is topped up with base, the liquid is a fresh mix and benefits from the same 3 to 7 days.
Common steeping mistakes
- Judging too early. A liquid tasted on the day of mixing rarely shows its final flavour.
- Adding more concentrate instead of waiting. A weak-tasting fresh mix often needs time, not a higher dosage. Change the dosage only after a full steep.
- Storing in a warm or bright place. Heat and sunlight can degrade flavour over time.
- Forgetting the date. Without a label it is hard to know how long a bottle has rested.
Frequently asked questions
How long should Big Mouth liquids steep?
3 to 7 days. Fruit, citrus and cooling flavours need about 3 days; dessert, bakery and tobacco profiles benefit from the full 7.
Can a liquid be used straight after mixing?
It can, but it will not taste as intended yet. Steeping lets the flavour settle into the base and soften.
Does steeping make a liquid stronger?
It makes the flavour fuller and more balanced. A mix that seems weak on day one often tastes stronger once it has steeped.
Should the bottle be left open while steeping?
No. Keep it closed and store it cool and dark; a short daily shake is enough.
Do Ice Hit flavours need steeping?
Briefly. Cooling profiles are usually ready after about 3 days.
Does steeping depend on the base?
High-VG bases are thicker, so flavour spreads more slowly; liquids mixed in 30/70 or full VG can benefit from the longer end of the range.
For shops
This guide is the official Big Mouth steeping reference. Shops are welcome to link to it from their product pages or share it with customers, together with the mixing guide and calculator. More guides are listed on the Big Mouth guides page.