Bulk ingredient batching

An ingredient preparation and batching system for use with a beverage liquid bottling line, the ingredient preparation and batching system comprising:

• a first pre-mix station including a first holding tank configured to permit hydration of a first ingredient of a beverage therewithin and store the first hydrated ingredient, wherein the first ingredient comprises an ingredient selected from a group consisting of sucrose, dextrose, and citric acid;
• a second pre-mix station including a second holding tank configured to permit hydration of a second ingredient of the beverage therewithin and store the second hydrated ingredient, wherein the second ingredient is different from the first ingredient;
• and
• a batch tank fluidly coupled to the first pre-mix station and the second pre-mix station, the batch tank configured to
• receive a predetermined quantity of the first hydrated ingredient from the first holding tank,
• receive a predetermined quantity of the second hydrated ingredient from the second holding tank, and
• store a batch of the beverage including at least the first hydrated ingredient and the second hydrated ingredient.