A systematic and fundamental approach to associating mixtures is presented. It is shown how the thermodynamic functions may be computed starting from a partition function based on the cluster concept such as occurs in chemical theory. The theory provides a basis for and an extension of the existing chemical theory of (continuous) association. It is applicable to arbitrary association schemes. Analysis of separate cases is not necessary. The assumptions that were made to allow the development were chosen such as to make the principle of reactivity valid. It is this same principle that links various theories: the chemical theory of continuous association, the lattice fluid hydrogen bonding model, and first-order perturbation theory. The equivalence between these theories in appropriate limits is shown in a general and rigorous way. The theory is believed to provide a practical framework for engineering modeling work. Binary interaction parameters can be incorporated. The association scheme is accounted for by a set of generic equations, which should facilitate robust implementation in computer programs.