If drinks are necessary, or more particularly if a full meal has to be manoeuvred, you cannot have the props too early. To leave them to the last minute is asking for a disaster on the opening night. There is nothing worse than the clumsy handling of props. It spoils the flow of the action and ruins the picture. A word here about drinking on stage.
Some people argue that mimed drinking is correct.
They say one should use the imagination. I am quite prepared to use my imagination on something really important and significant, but not on a simple action like drinking. I like to see actual fluid in the cup or goblet. Also, if the liquid is supposed to be hot, let me see the steam rising as the tea is poured out. At this point we carefully prepare a list of all the props we are going to make.