Mixers

What Are Alcoholic Mixers?

There are a few different ways to consume alcohol - you can either drink whatever booze it is on its own - be that beer, wine or spirits - or you can combine the alcohol with a drink mixer. We use ‘mixers’ as a term to describe the extra, typically non-alcoholic ingredients that we add to alcohol. In doing so, we create mixed drinks or cocktails. 

Mixers are a great way to liven up your drink, as they provide an opportunity to add some extra flavor. You can make a drink more sweet, sour, savory, spicy, creamy, or bubbly depending on which mixer you choose to add! For example, the use of tomato juice and tabasco in a Bloody Mary creates a savory, spicy drink. Or, when adding pineapple juice and coconut milk to rum, you get a rich, sweet, creamy delight. Mixed drinks add a little extra fun to your party, and are a great opportunity to get totally creative!

Alcohol mixers also help to dilute the alcoholic content of your drink. They can reduce the alcohol by volume, and create a longer drink. This allows the drinker to sip slowly, and enjoy their beverage without getting too drunk too fast! This can be great on a hot summer’s day when you want to keep your bodily fluid intake up and avoid dangerous dehydration. 

For example, a shot of gin mixed with 200ml of soda water and a splash of elderflower syrup, and plenty of ice is perfect for those warm evening BBQs. Plus, it is much more pleasant to drink than just straight gin! The lower ABV percentage will allow you to slowly get drunk, allowing you to enjoy a long, leisurely evening with loved ones.

Which Are Some Of The Best Mixers Combinations for Long Drinks?

There are many kinds of alcohol mixers out there - the choice can be overwhelming! A helpful way to decide what are the best mixer combinations is to think about where and in what context you will be enjoying the drink. Then, head over to our website to check out our choice of online mixers.

For example, if the season is Springtime, then we would recommend choosing clear spirits such as gin or vodka for your cocktail mixer drinks. You could mix these spirits with something healthy and light, as it is at this time of the year that we like to do a spring-clean: body included! So, why not try this delightfulLittle West Detox Greens drink, as a nutrient-packed and revitalizing beverage. Made with raw and natural ingredients, such as kale, fennel, lemon, and cucumber, this mixer is just perfect for all you health-conscious drinkers out there!

If it’s summer, why not try something vibrant and fruity, like this Hella Cocktail Co. Orange Bitters. A few dashes of this to your cocktail mixer drinks such as a classic Gin and Tonic, or a Pegu Club cocktail, will bring a spicy, warm deliciousness to your beverage. Made with whole spices and real orange peel, these bitters will bring depth to any long drink. 

For Autumn, try some warming mixers for alcohol, such as choosing a spiced rum and pairing it with ginger ale and Scrappy’s Lime Bitters. The dash of lime will bring zesty freshness, whilst the spiced rum will bring sweetness and flavor. In the cold, dark depths of winter, go for a treat like a coffee with a splash of whiskey and a generous helping of Dr. B.F. Sherman’s Prickly Ash Bitters. The bittersweet flavor is perfect with a hot drink and will warm you up from the inside out. What a great winter drink mixer! You don’t even have to leave the house, simply order these online mixers from our website and have them delivered to your door.

What Are The Basic Rules of Mixing Drinks?

When mixing drinks, there are a few rules to remember, that will help ensure you are churning out delicious drinks. Follow these simple rules, and you will have your guests coming back again and again, begging you for your recipes!

So first, remember alcohol is a very important ingredient. If you’ve got the budget for it, try and invest in good quality alcohol. It is the base of your drink, and you will certainly taste the difference. Plus, quality alcohol tends to have higher purification and filtration standards, so hopefully will leave you with a less raging hangover!

Secondly, use ice, and a lot of it! When making long drinks, ice is the perfect way to keep your drink cool and will help keep you hydrated. 

When thinking about which mixers for alcohol to use, consider carefully your chosen flavor combinations, and ensure you have the right mixer to match your spirit. Also, remember that sometimes simple is the best! It might seem like a good idea to throw as many flavors in there as possible, however, the drink can get overloaded and each flavor becomes lost. Sticking to one spirit, and just one or two mixers can be perfect. 

Finally, remember your aesthetic presentation! We want our drinks to look beautiful, so using garnish can be a great way to achieve this. A few wedges of lime or wheels of orange, or perhaps a slice of pineapple or a handful of edible flowers can be a great way to add finesse and color to your drink. 

What Are The Popular Brands Available In Mixers?

Want to know a good place to buy mixer? Check out our CWSpirits website! We have a diverse and delicious range of popular brands. Flybird is one of the most popular brands that we stock in mixers online. They have a fantastic range of mixers available, and one that you definitely need to try is this Flybird Watermelon Cucumber Margarita! With juicy, refreshing flavors, this mixer is lip-smackingly good. These cocktail mixer drinks are ready to drink straight away for total ease and convenience, or you can blend them with ice for that ultimate summer slush!

Another popular brand of mixers online is Bittercube. Bittercube makes fantastic bitters, including this Bittercube Bolivar Bitters. This mixer is handmade - which is part of the reason it is so popular, as you can taste the expert craftsmanship that has gone into making it! With rich strong flavoring, the maceration process takes up to 25 days to complete. This mixer totally deserves its popularity and is a fantastic addition to any drink.

Little West is another wonderful brand, and they stock a great selection of mixers. One of our favorites is the Gingersnap, with sweet spicy notes that go fabulously with rum or whiskey. The Sunrise is also delicious, with warm ginger turmeric flavors that pair fabulously with gin. So, if you want to buy mixer, be sure to check out the range of brands we have in stock, at great and affordable prices.

Types Of Mixers Available

Masters of Mixes have a great selection of different types of mixers available. Their mango syrup is absolutely heavenly; a luxurious blend of Alphonso mangoes and cane sugar. A generous squeeze of this syrup will transport your taste buds to a tropical island! They also have a triple sec syrup, which is perfect to add to your classic cocktails, like a Sidecar or a Margarita. These syrups are a great type of mixer, and if you like them then you should check out the other options on our CWSpirits website, including mint, lemon, and lime. 

More great types of mixers would be the pre-made cocktail mixers. If you love making cocktails, but don’t have the time or energy to labor over complicated ingredients and recipes, then try these mixers. Simply add your spirit, and off you go! They are perfect for festivals or camping, or generally being on the go. Try these Filthy Bloody Mary mixtures, for a rich, savory cocktail experience. You can also try these Filthy Pimento Olives to add an extra punch to your Bloody Mary.

Different flavors of Bitters are also a great type of mixer that can add richness and depth to your drink. Why not try these Hellas Mexican Chocolate Bitters? They will bring a balance of bitterness and sweetness to your drinks, adding richness to your coffee or hot chocolate. Or, how about these Scrappy's Lime Bitters for a zing of citrus freshness?

Recommended Products

So far we have only looked into spirits with mixers, but there is a whole world of wine mixers out there! On a hot summer’s day, there’s nothing quite like a light, floral rose wine, mixed with a dash of lemonade, to make a refreshing long drink. 

Or, if you’re more into the Mediterranean vibe, then try making a Sangria, by mixing red wine, soda water, orange juice, and slices of fresh real fruit. Feeling extra boozy? You can even throw in some brandy to spice up your drink!

For white wine mixers, add some soda water or sparkling water to your favorite white wine, for a crisp, bubbly and refreshing drink. Perfect for garden parties or BBQs, these mixed wine drinks are a great way to sip on your choice of wine all day long, as the alcoholic content is reduced, and therefore more drinkable for longer.

Elevate your cocktail experience with premium mixers, available for you to order alcohol online.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Alcohols Should Not Be Mixed?

Time to debunk a common myth - that mixing different types of alcohol makes your hangover worse. This is actually false! It is not what you drink, but the amount that you drink, that leads to sickness or terrible hangovers. Hard liquor such as spirits tend to be absorbed by your bloodstream quicker, so if you drink these first, then move on to beer, you will probably feel drunk faster. But actually, when drinking it is important to maintain an awareness of how much you’re drinking, rather than to worry about mixing different beverages. Always remember to drink in moderation!

What Is The Ratio Of Alcohol To Mixer?

There are no hard and fast rules for mixing ratios, it of course all depends on personal preference and taste. If you like a strong drink, then try having a double shot, approximately 2 or 3 fl oz, or approximately 60-90ml of spirit. If you want a less strong drink, go for a single shot, which is approximately 1 or 2 fl oz or around 44ml. This can be mixed in a ratio of 1:3 with your mixer of choice. So, for example, if you are making a vodka and cola drink, take 1 oz of vodka and mix it with 3 oz of cola. Don’t forget the ice and a slice!

How Many Shots Are In a Mixed Drink?

When you order a classic mixed drink at a bar, such as a highball Vodka Soda or a Gin and Tonic, the typical serving will come with a 2 oz serving of spirit. But again, this can be ordered according to your taste and preference!

Is a Mixed Drink the Same As a Shot?

No, a mixed drink is a drink that has several ingredients, typically alcohol such as a spirit or wine, then with added non-alcoholic liquid, such as a fruit juice, fizzy drink, or sparkling water. This tends to get called a ‘long drink’, as it comes in a tall glass and takes longer to drink. Conversely, a shot is just a pure shot of alcohol, such as a shot of top tequila or vodka, that comes in a shot glass and tends to be drunk all at once.

What Is The Difference Between a Cocktail And a Mixed Drink?

A cocktail tends to be a drink that is crafted from several different ingredients and can be shaken together in a cocktail shaker. They can include multiple alcohols and multiple mixers. They tend to be a bit more complicated to make and can be served in a variety of different glasses, such as in an elegant martini glass or a tall and curvaceous hurricane glass. A mixed drink on the other hand tends to be one spirit, such as whiskey, brandy, or vodka, mixed with one mixer, such as fruit juice or a fizzy drink. 

Does Mixer or Alcohol Go First?

When making a mixed drink, a good rule to follow would be to add first the ice, then your chosen liquor, and then your mixer. This is especially important when mixing fizzy drinks or adding carbonated toppers, such as soda water or lemonade, as you want the drink to remain as effervescent as possible.

Best Mixed Drinks to Buy

So there we have it, a deep dive into all the wonderful mixers out there! If you’re looking for the best mixed drinks to buy, then head over to CWSpirits for a quality range of affordable mixers that can be delivered right to your door.