A berachah after drinking

Hi,

We are supposed to recite a berachah acharonah blessing after eating, as a way to express gratitude to Gd. That gratitude is most clearly expressed when it is closely tied to the meal. Therefore, one who eats may recite the closing berachah acharonah blessing only until the food has passed through the initial stages of digestion, a period we normally define as 72 minutes.

It is difficulty to define a parallel period for beverages. Therefore, one who is drinking a beverage outside of the context of a meal should make sure to sip some of the beverage every few minutes, and to recite the berachah acharonah no more than a few minutes after concluding the drink.

Note: Wine is in a unique category, and one may recite its berachah acharonah for up to 72 minutes after drinking.

(Rivivot Ephraim 1:153)

Have a great day,
Mordechai