Ever wonder what makes a Bourbon taste truly special in a drink? It’s not just the Bourbon itself, but the perfect partner it dances with. Choosing that partner, that mixer, can feel like a quest. So many bottles line the shelves, each promising a new flavor adventure. But how do you pick the one that will elevate your Bourbon, not overpower it?
Many of us have been there, staring at rows of sodas, juices, and bitters, feeling a little lost. We want a delicious drink, but we don’t want to waste money on a mix that clashes. The wrong mixer can turn a smooth sip into a bitter disappointment, and that’s a shame when you’ve picked out a great Bourbon. This post is here to end that confusion.
Get ready to discover the secrets to perfect Bourbon pairings. We’ll explore the best mixers that bring out the best in your favorite whiskies. By the end, you’ll feel confident picking out your next mixer, ready to craft cocktails that impress yourself and your friends. Let’s dive in and find your Bourbon’s new best friend!
Our Top 5 Bourbon Mixer Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 Bourbon Mixer Detailed Reviews
1. Bittermilk No.1 Bourbon Barrel Aged Old Fashioned Mix – All Natural Handcrafted Cocktail Mixer – Old Fashioned Syrup – More Complex than Bitters & Simple Syrup
Rating: 9.5/10
Bittermilk No.1 Bourbon Barrel Aged Old Fashioned Mix is a handcrafted cocktail mixer that aims to simplify making a complex Old Fashioned at home. It’s made with natural ingredients and aged in bourbon barrels, giving it a unique depth of flavor.
What We Like:
- Handcrafted by bartenders using real ingredients.
- Award-winning product, recognized by Garden & Gun and the Specialty Food Association.
- Aged in Willett bourbon barrels for added complexity and notes of oak.
- Super easy to use; just add your favorite aged spirit.
- No artificial ingredients, using natural bittering agents, spices, and citrus.
- Can also be used to make delicious mocktails.
- Makes 17+ cocktails per bottle, offering great value.
What Could Be Improved:
- While it simplifies the process, some purists might prefer to build their Old Fashioned from scratch.
- The flavor profile is specifically designed for aged spirits, so it might not be ideal for lighter liquors.
This mixer is a fantastic shortcut to an impressive Old Fashioned. It’s perfect for anyone looking to elevate their home bar with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
2. Strongwater Old Fashioned Mix – Makes 32 Cocktails – Handcrafted Old Fashioned Syrup with Bitters
Rating: 8.9/10
Making a delicious Old Fashioned cocktail at home just got easier with Strongwater’s Old Fashioned Mix. This handcrafted syrup promises a perfectly balanced and smooth drink every time. It’s a fantastic addition to any home bar, simplifying the process of creating this classic cocktail.
What We Like:
- This mix makes a well-balanced and smooth Old Fashioned.
- It’s a Good Foods Award Finalist, showing its quality.
- It uses real organic cherries and orange zest for great flavor.
- The syrup includes a blend of cinnamon, clove, cardamom, and bitter herbs.
- It’s super easy to use: just add your favorite whiskey and ice.
- The mix is non-GMO and gluten-free.
- One pack makes about 32 cocktails, offering great value.
What Could Be Improved:
- The product should be used within 3-4 months of opening, so you need to use it up fairly quickly.
- The description mentions checking out their separate bitters, which might be an extra purchase some users don’t expect.
Strongwater’s Old Fashioned Mix offers a convenient way to enjoy a top-notch cocktail. It’s a simple, flavorful solution for anyone who loves an Old Fashioned.
3. Strongwater Old Fashioned Craft Cocktail Mixer Sample 4 Pack – Makes 16 Cocktails – Handcrafted Old Fashioned Gift Set – Travel-Friendly
Rating: 9.4/10
The Strongwater Old Fashioned Craft Cocktail Mixer Sample 4 Pack is a fantastic way to enjoy delicious Old Fashioned cocktails at home. This set comes with four amazing flavors: Classic, Maple Pecan, Espresso, and Smoked. Each small bottle makes four drinks, so you can make up to 16 bar-quality cocktails. It’s super easy to use – just add your favorite bourbon or whiskey, ice, and the mixer. Plus, it’s perfect for gifting or taking on trips!
What We Like:
- Four award-winning flavors that are truly unique and delicious.
- Made with natural ingredients like organic cherries, orange peel, and spices.
- No artificial sweeteners or flavors, so you know you’re drinking something good.
- Each bottle is travel-friendly and makes four cocktails, perfect for on-the-go or small gatherings.
- It’s a great gift idea for anyone who loves cocktails or wants to try new flavors.
- You can even use them in mocktails for a fancy non-alcoholic drink.
What Could Be Improved:
- The sampler pack is a great way to try flavors, but if you find a favorite, you’ll need to buy larger bottles separately.
- While travel-friendly, the bottles are glass, so extra care might be needed when packing them for a long journey.
This Strongwater Old Fashioned mixer set makes crafting amazing cocktails incredibly simple. You’ll love the rich flavors and the ease of making bar-quality drinks right in your own home.
4. Proof Syrup Old Fashioned Cocktail Mix – Made with Real Bitters & Cane Sugar – Traditional Old Fashion Flavor – Fast
Rating: 9.4/10
Tired of complicated cocktail recipes? Proof Syrup’s Old Fashioned Cocktail Mix makes crafting a delicious, traditional Old Fashioned easier than ever. This premium mix brings the taste of real bitters and sweet cane sugar right to your home bar.
What We Like:
- It uses real bitters and cane sugar for a true Old Fashioned taste.
- The syrup is handcrafted, giving your drinks a special touch.
- You can make amazing cocktails super fast.
- It works for both alcoholic drinks and mocktails.
- The 16oz bottle gives you plenty of syrup for many drinks.
What Could Be Improved:
- Some users might want even more flavor options in the future.
This syrup is a game-changer for anyone who loves Old Fashioneds. It’s a simple way to enjoy a classic, delicious cocktail anytime.
5. Woodford Reserve Old-Fashioned Cocktail Syrup
Rating: 9.2/10
Making a perfect Old Fashioned cocktail at home just got a whole lot easier with Woodford Reserve’s Old-Fashioned Cocktail Syrup. This special syrup brings together the classic flavors of cherry and orange with a hint of bitters, all sweetened with rich demerara sugar. It’s designed to be your secret weapon for crafting a delicious Old Fashioned in minutes.
What We Like:
- It makes creating a delicious Old Fashioned super simple.
- The natural cherry and orange flavors taste great.
- It perfectly combines sweet demerara sugar with the right amount of bitters.
- The instructions are easy to follow: just add bourbon!
- It saves time and effort compared to making all the ingredients from scratch.
What Could Be Improved:
- Some might prefer to control the sweetness level themselves.
- It requires you to already have Woodford Reserve Bourbon on hand for the best experience.
This syrup is a fantastic shortcut for anyone who loves a classic Old Fashioned. You can enjoy a bar-quality drink right in your own home with minimal fuss.
Your Guide to the Best Bourbon Mixers
Bourbon is a wonderful spirit. Sometimes, you want to mix it with something else. A good mixer makes your drink even better. This guide helps you pick the perfect bourbon mixer.
What to Look For in a Bourbon Mixer
1. Flavor Profile
- Sweetness: Some mixers are sweet, like cola or ginger ale. Others are less sweet, like club soda. Think about what you like.
- Spice: Ginger is a common spice in bourbon mixers. It adds a nice kick.
- Fizziness: Carbonation makes a drink lively. Most mixers have bubbles.
- Natural Ingredients: Mixers made with real fruit juice or natural flavors often taste best.
2. Ingredients
Look for mixers with simple ingredients. Things like water, sugar, and natural flavors are good. Avoid artificial sweeteners or colors if you can.
3. Quality Markers
- Freshness: A fresh mixer tastes best. Check the expiration date.
- Small Batches: Sometimes, mixers made in smaller batches have better flavor.
- Reputation: Brands known for good drinks usually make good mixers.
4. How You’ll Use It
- Simple Drinks: For an Old Fashioned, you might use sugar and bitters.
- Cocktails: For a Whiskey Ginger, you’ll need ginger ale.
- Everyday Sipping: Club soda or tonic water are great for light, refreshing drinks.
Materials Matter
Most bourbon mixers are liquids. They come in bottles or cans. Glass bottles often keep the flavor fresher. Cans are easy to carry and chill quickly.
What Makes a Mixer Great (or Not So Great)
Improving Quality
- Natural Sweeteners: Using cane sugar or honey can make a mixer taste better.
- Real Fruit Juices: Mixers with actual fruit juice add a richer flavor.
- Balanced Flavors: A good mixer has the right amount of sweet, tart, and spice.
Reducing Quality
- Artificial Ingredients: Artificial sweeteners or flavors can make a mixer taste fake.
- Too Much Sugar: A mixer that is too sweet can overpower the bourbon.
- Stale Bubbles: Flat mixers are not enjoyable.
User Experience and Use Cases
A good bourbon mixer makes your drink easy and fun to make. You can create many different drinks.
- Bourbon and Ginger: Mix bourbon with ginger ale or ginger beer. This is a classic.
- Bourbon and Cola: Bourbon and cola is a simple, popular choice.
- Bourbon and Soda: Club soda or seltzer water makes a light, bubbly drink.
- Bourbon Smash: You can add muddled fruit and herbs to bourbon and soda.
- Bourbon and Tonic: Tonic water adds a slightly bitter, refreshing taste.
The best mixer depends on your taste. Experiment to find your favorite!
Bourbon Mixer FAQs
Q: What is the most popular bourbon mixer?
A: Ginger ale and cola are very popular mixers for bourbon. They are easy to find and taste great.
Q: Can I use diet soda as a mixer?
A: Yes, you can use diet soda. It will make your drink less sweet. Some people prefer the taste of regular soda.
Q: What is the difference between ginger ale and ginger beer?
A: Ginger beer is usually spicier and less sweet than ginger ale. It has a stronger ginger flavor.
Q: How do I make a simple bourbon drink?
A: Pour bourbon over ice. Add your favorite mixer, like cola or ginger ale. Stir gently.
Q: What are bitters?
A: Bitters are strong liquid flavorings. You add them in small amounts to cocktails. They add complexity and balance.
Q: Is tonic water good with bourbon?
A: Yes, tonic water can be a good mixer. Its slight bitterness complements bourbon well.
Q: Should I use sparkling water or club soda?
A: Both are great for a light drink. Club soda has a bit more mineral taste. Sparkling water is just bubbly water.
Q: Can I mix bourbon with juice?
A: Yes, you can. Orange juice or cranberry juice are common choices. They add sweetness and fruit flavor.
Q: What makes a mixer “high quality”?
A: High-quality mixers often use natural ingredients and have a balanced flavor. They don’t taste artificial.
Q: Where can I buy good bourbon mixers?
A: You can find bourbon mixers at most grocery stores and liquor stores. Specialty shops might have unique options.
In conclusion, every product has unique features and benefits. We hope this review helps you decide if it meets your needs. An informed choice ensures the best experience.
If you have any questions or feedback, please share them in the comments. Your input helps everyone. Thank you for reading.