I usually chug mine. I think if you stretch it out for too long it would negatively impact the results. I would say no more than a few minutes to drink the whole thing.

For me there's a key to getting it down and keeping it down. I like a lemon before chugging and after as a chaser. That cuts the salt taste big time. It's been said to try to get it down quickly if you can, so I'd stick with that - for some people, that's 5 min, for others, that's in 1/2 hour. It used to take me awhile but the lemon helps.