The time will come again when we can gather together and socialize. San Francisco Chronicle contributor and founder of the drinks section for Serious Eats Maggie Hoffman helps you prepare for those good times with recipes for cocktails that can be made in large batches well-ahead of serving time.

The drinks are organized by flavor profile to facilitate targeting a mood or preference. For example, gin and fresh herbs make several appearances in the Herbal & Floral section, but scotch and mezcal have their moment in the Savory & Smoky chapter. You'll also find something for those that prefer a tipple that's spicy, fruity, bitter, or boozy. And, no, not all Hoffman's cocktails have alcohol in them.

There is an entire section dedicated to expertly-crafted non-alcoholic cocktails which are perfect for impressing any guest with your bartending skills. Stand-outs include: Birds Again—fresh basil, rosewater, sauvignon blanc, vermouth, and lime. Riled and Wrangled—rye, chartreuse, serrano, honey, lemon, and beer. Sneaky Peat—scotch, bitters, black tea, cranberry,  and lemon. Bitter Ex—Cynar, Campari, sherry, honey, pineapple and lime. The Baylock—grapefruit, lemon, honey, and star anise. Hoffman also offers suggestions on when each drink is most seasonally appropriate and tips on how to get creative and batch cocktails other than those for which she has provided recipes.

Whether you want to cut the hassle of constantly mixing drinks during a dinner party, or if you simply want to have an excellent cocktail ready as soon as you walk in the door, Batch Cocktails is the answer to drinking with ease while still being classy and impressive to your friends.

Hardcover. Color photographs throughout.