Stock These Mixers To Ensure You Never Run Out Of Cocktail Ideas
While the spirits are the heart of every cocktail, mixers are what keep the heart beating. Mixers are essential since they impact the taste, aroma, appearance, and consistency of the cocktail. So, if you’re just starting out and need to stock up your home bar, these are some of the mixology essentials that you must have come what may.
Soda Water
No surprises here. Not only does this mixer add effervescence that makes the cocktail bubbly, but also makes it lighter and more enjoyable. Soda water is a staple mixer in Classic Mojitos, Tom Collins, and Vodka Soda, to name a few.
Tonic Water
If you love your gin, you should definitely have enough tonic water stocked at all times. This mixer is a staple for highball cocktails and especially for creating the classic G&Ts. You can also use tonic water in Vodka Tonics and Rum Tonics.
Ginger Beer
This mixer is best paired with the mules. It is best known for the spicy kick that it offers the cocktail and it also makes them bubbly and more enjoyable. You can add ginger beer to the Moscow Mule, Dark and Stormy, and the Kentucky Mule.
Cranberry Juice
Not only does this juice have a visual appeal, but it also adds a tangy and sweet punch to the cocktail that helps balance the sweetness. It goes really well in a Cosmopolitan, Vodka Cranberry or a Bay Breeze, to name a few.
Orange Juice
Orange juice is a citric paradise! Its natural tangy and sweet taste really helps balance the flavour palate for strong spirits. This mixer goes really well with a Screwdriver, Mimosa or Tequila Sunrise.
Lime Juice
No, this is not the same as lemon juice. Limes add a more zesty and tangy flavour to cocktails and are really different from lemon juice. This mixer goes well in Margaritas, Daiquiris, and Gimlets.
Lemon Juice
Fresh lemon juice adds a bit of acidity and sourness that helps bring out the other flavours in the cocktail. It pairs well with Whisky Sours, Tom Collins, and French 75.
Simple Syrup
As the name suggests, it’s a simple sweetener that eliminates the chances of ruining the consistency of a cocktail by adding granulated sugar. Simple syrup is an essential in Mojitos, Old Fashioned, and Daiquiris.
Grenadine
Grenadine not only adds to the sweetness of the cocktail but also the visual appeal with a beautiful dark red hue. It fits best in fruity cocktails such as Tequila Sunrise, Sea Breeze, and Shirley Temples.
Club Soda
Club soda isn’t the same as soda water. It adds fizz without altering or diluting the original flavour palate of the cocktail. It’s perfect for making highballs and spritzers such as Long Island Iced Tea, Gin Rickey, and Southside Fizz to name a few.
Triple Sec (Orange Liqueur)
Triple Sec is best for adding a tartness to cocktails without diluting the strength of the spirit. It goes really well in Cosmopolitans, Margaritas, and Sidecars.
Coffee Liqueur
If you love your coffee and love coffee-based cocktails, this is a must-have. Not only will it enhance the coffee flavour, but it’ll also add a subtle sweetness that will elevate your cocktail. You can add this in White Russians, Espresso Martinis, and Black Russians.
Angostura Bitters
Angostura Bitters are best known for their presence in traditional cocktails that became popular during the ’60s. They add depth with spicy and bitter tones with notes of cinnamon and cloves. They pair well in an Old Fashioned, Manhattan, or Martinez.
Coconut Cream
If you love tiki cocktails or tropical cocktails, you must have this mixer. You can also swap out other milk derivatives with coconut cream to elevate the taste, there’s no harm in experimenting! Coconut cream adds a well, creamy texture and tropical flavour that is perfect for exotic cocktails such as Pina Coladas, Coconut Mojito, and Chi Chi.
Remember to drink responsibly!
