Do you ever stare at your bottle of bourbon, unsure of what to pour next to it? You want to enjoy a refreshing drink, but you worry about masking the rich, complex flavors of your favorite whiskey. Finding the perfect balance between a bold spirit and a mixer can feel like a high-stakes guessing game. Too much sweetness ruins the experience, while the wrong flavor profile can turn a premium pour into a confusing mess.
The good news is that you do not have to settle for a mediocre cocktail. Whether you prefer a classic highball or a modern, fruity concoction, the right mixer should highlight your bourbon rather than hide it. Many drinkers feel overwhelmed by the endless aisles of sodas, juices, and bitters at the grocery store. They often waste time and money on combinations that just do not work.
In this guide, we take the guesswork out of your home bar setup. We will explore the best flavor pairings that bring out the deep notes of oak, vanilla, and caramel in your glass. You will learn how to choose mixers that complement your specific bottle instead of fighting against it. By the end of this post, you will have the confidence to mix like a pro and craft drinks that impress your friends every single time. Let’s dive into the essential mixers that every bourbon lover needs to keep on hand.
Top Bourbon Mixers Recommendations
- HANDCRAFTED COCKTAIL: Enjoy the perfect Old Fashioned every time with Strongwater’s refined recipe. Well-balanced, roundly smooth & layered, this is the perfect addition to your bar cart for an old fashioned cocktail kit.
- SIP AWARDS WINNER: Our Old Fashioned mix was nationally recognized as a 2025 SIP Awards Platinum winner, an elevated example of cocktail mixers.
- ORGANIC CHERRIES & ORANGE ZEST: Tart organic cherries and fresh orange peel mixed with the perfect blend of cinnamon, clove, cardamom, and bitter herbs create the best Old Fashioned drink mixer.
- POUR AND ENJOY: Fill your glass with ice, add Strongwater Old Fashioned craft cocktail syrup, then add the whiskey, bourbon, or rye of your choice. Be sure to check out our Old Fashioned bitters, like classic cherry bitters or orange bourbon bitters. Stir it up & there you have it - the perfect Old Fashioned!
- NO-NONSENSE: This flavored cocktail mix is non-GMO & gluten-free. Contains no alcohol. Best used within 3-4 months of opening.
- 4 Award-Winning Flavors – This handcrafted cocktail syrup sampler set brings home the magic of 4 bold blends: Classic, Maple Pecan, Espresso & Smoked. Each cocktail syrup is a SIP Awards Platinum winner (2025) & Good Food Awards finalist (2019)
- Crafted for Sipping Moments – Made in the Colorado Rockies, these small-batch cocktail syrups feature organic cherries, orange peel & warm spices, and are free from artificial flavors or sweeteners. Each cocktail syrup adds depth, warmth & balance
- Make 16 Bar-Quality Cocktails – Each 1 oz bottle makes 4 drinks. Just mix with whiskey or bourbon over ice. Whether you’re hosting or relaxing solo, this cocktail syrup set turns everyday pours into old fashioned perfection in seconds
- Gift-Ready, Travel-Size Delight – This cocktail syrup set makes a memorable gift for home bartenders, holiday hosts & flavor explorers. Compact, elegant & versatile, it’s the perfect way to discover your favorite old fashioned cocktail syrup
- Simple to Mix, Hard to Forget – Add ice, a splash of cocktail syrup & your spirit of choice for a smooth, satisfying cocktail. These premium cocktail syrups also shine in mocktails for a zero-proof option that still feels special
- HANDCRAFTED BY BARTENDERS - Made by bartenders with real ingredients. The complex flavors in the craft cocktail mixer pair with aged spirits, like bourbon or rye whiskey, or even aged rum, scotch & other dark spirits.
- AWARD WINNER - Bittermilk No.1 Old Fashioned was the drink category winner of Garden & Gun magazine’s prestigious “Made in the South” Awards in 2013, and the product line has won 7+ Specialty Food Association’s SOFI Awards, including Outstanding Product Line and Best Cold Beverage.
- BOURBON BARREL AGED - Unique from other old fashioned mixes, Bittermilk old fashioned syrup is aged in freshly emptied, once-used Willett bourbon barrels to add complexity and allow the flavors intensify as it takes on notes of bourbon and charred white oak.
- SIMPLE TO USE - Just add booze. Stir 1 Part Bittermilk No.1 to 4 Parts Spirit with lots of ice, and garnish with an orange peel. The most complex and perfect old fashioned made at home with just two ingredients. Adjust the ratio recipe to your taste, and mix with your spirit of choice. Mixes best with aged spirits. Makes 17 or more cocktails per bottle.
- NO ARTIFICIAL INGREDIENTS - More than just bitters! We’ve taken classic bittering agents, like gentian root and cinchona bark, along with freshly milled spiced, burnt golden cane sugar and fresh orange peel, and slowly aged it all in bourbon barrels.
- Classic Bar-Quality Taste at Home: Barsmith Old Fashioned Mix is a premium cocktail mixer that brings the authentic taste of a classic Old Fashioned to your glass; This expertly crafted Old Fashioned mixes delivers a perfect balance of sweetness and bitterness, making it an ideal choice for whiskey lovers; Whether you're a beginner or an experienced mixologist, this cocktail mix ensures a smooth, flavorful drink every time, perfect for any occasion
- Perfect Flavor Profile: Barsmith Old Fashioned Mix offers a well-rounded taste profile with the flavor intensity; This cocktail mixer blends cherry, citrus, and bitters to create a smooth, rich taste, making it the ideal Old Fashioned mix for whiskey lovers; Whether you use it as a bar mix or for classic Old Fashioneds, it adds depth and complexity without overpowering your drink
- Made with Quality Ingredients: Made with water, pure cane sugar, and honey, delivering a naturally sweet, smooth flavor; Infused with natural flavors and colored with vegetable juice, this cocktail mixes provides an authentic taste without artificial additives; Free from GMOs, this Old Fashion mix is perfect for those who value clean, high-quality drink mixers crafted with simple, wholesome ingredients
- Mix it Your Way: This Old Fashion cocktail mix is perfect for more than just classic Old Fashioneds; use it as an alcohol mixers for a variety of whiskey-based drinks or as an Old Fashion mixer for bourbon; Whether you’re crafting a traditional cocktail or experimenting with new recipes, this mix enhances any drink with its smooth, authentic flavor, making it a must-have for your home bar
- Package Details: Barsmith Old Fashioned Mix - 12.7 oz Bottle (Pack of 1)
- THE BEST CHERRIES FOR COCKTAILS - If you like Manhattans or old fashioned cocktails, try these rich bourbon-infused cherries from Collins. They're also great for a tequila sunrise, since this cherry juice is richer than other maraschino cherry juice.
- MADE WITH HERITAGE DISTILLING BROWN SUGAR BOURBON - We infused this multiple award winning whiskey into cherries for a rich sweetness that goes above and beyond. Hints of cinnamon and the toasty brown sugar complement whiskey cocktails and more.
- A NEW FAVORITE CHERRY FOR WHISKEY LOVERS - Other brands have combined the complex flavor of bourbon with the rich sweetness of cherries, but none have used the unique profile of sweetness and light spice that you'll find in Collins Bourbon Cherries.
- NOT JUST FOR COCKTAILS! - Try these cherries with desserts to add a kick to milkshakes, ice cream, pastries and more. And of course we won't judge you if you want to just eat them straight from the jar. 11 oz glass jar. Refrigerate after opening.
- CRAFT COCKTAILS, NO CRAFTING REQUIRED - Collins supplies cocktail drinkers with quality staples for their home bar. Formulated with professional bartenders, Collins garnishes are made with real juice and real sugar. Enjoy a quality drink at home!
- 3 DISTINCT COCKTAIL MIXERS: First, our Maple Whiskey Sour Mixer: pairs well with all aged spirits! Next, The Classic Old Fashioned Syrup: the secret for a perfect bourbon or rye whiskey drink. And last but not least, The Classic Ginger Mule Mixer: dark rum’s best friend for a perfect Moscow mule. No matter what the occasion, you’ll have the right drink option with this cocktail mix variety pack.
- FOR THE DISCERNING AND PASSIONATE: Creating a well-balanced, perfectly layered, and satisfyingly smooth cocktail mix starts with a great mixer. One crafted from pure passion, obsession, and a discerning taste for a great drink. This 3-bottle variety pack won't last long after trying one of our refined cocktail mixes.
- HANDMADE FROM FRESH, ALL NATURAL, REAL INGREDIENTS: From our Sriracha, Ginger, Maple Syrup, Citrus Fruits, Blue Agave, to Whole Spices and Teas, our Cocktail Crate mixers are made with passion and real ingredients. We choose only the highest quality ingredients for our mixes, which include fresh oranges, ginger, aromatic bitters, spices, turbinado, and demerara sugar.
- THE #1 BRAND FOR WHISKEY COCKTAIL MIXERS IN THE USA: Don't get to the top without the seal of approval from the most refined cocktail and whiskey connoisseurs. Our creations are used in award-winning recipes that have been featured on the Today Show, Tasting Table, Food 52, Kitchn, Eater, and Edible Brooklyn. They are the perfect accompaniment to bourbon, rye, luxardo cherries or bourbon cherries.
- SKILLFULLY CREATED BY WHISKEY LOVERS, FOR WHISKEY LOVERS: No one is as passionate and obsessed with whiskey and cocktail mixes as Cocktail Crate's founder, Alex Abbott Boyd. Proudly started in Queens, New York, Alex explores every hidden bar, every cocktail drink made, and journeys to the ends of the earth to discover the perfect ingredients for his mixes. That obsession is what allows us to bring you the most exquisite handmade drink mixers.
- HANDCRAFTED BY BARTENDERS - Made by bartenders with real ingredients. The complex flavors in the craft cocktail mixer pair with aged spirits, like bourbon or rye whiskey, or even aged rum, scotch & other dark spirits.
- AWARD WINNING RECIPE - Using Bittermilk’s award-winning No.1 Bitter Formula found in our best selling Bourbon Barrel Aged Old Fashioned, this non-alcoholic Manhattan elixir was created to impart the flavors of Vermouth without the alcohol. Using our own herbal and botanical base and alcohol-removed port wine, combined with grapes, raisin, cherry and our No.1 Bitter Formula for subtle, aromatic bittersweetness. A bit of citrus peel and vanilla round out the flavors of the classic Manhattan cocktail.
- BOURBON BARREL AGED - Unlike any other Manhattan cocktail, Bittermilk Manhattan cocktail syrup is slowly aged in freshly emptied, once-used Willett bourbon barrels to add complexity and allow the flavors intensify as it takes on notes of bourbon and charred white oak.
- SIMPLE TO USE - Two ingredients only make one amazing cocktail. Just add booze for a cocktail. Stir 1 Part Bittermilk Manhattan mix + 4 Parts Rye or Bourbon with lots of ice. Strain, serve up in a stemmed glass, and garnish with a brandied cherry. The most complex and perfect Manhattan cocktail made at home with just two ingredients. Adjust the ratio recipe to your taste, and mix with your spirit of choice. Mixes best with aged spirits.
- ALL NATURAL INGREDIENTS - Using the Bitter Formula No.1 found in our award-winning Bourbon Barrel Aged Old Fashioned, we’ve taken classic bittering agents, like gentian root and cinchona bark, along with freshly milled spiced, burnt golden cane sugar and fresh orange peel, and slowly aged it all in bourbon barrels. Non-Alcoholic Port Wine, cherries, raisins and grapes, vanilla and a hint of citrus peel, create a balanced cocktail or mocktail layered with complexity.
- CRAFT THE PERFECT OLD FASHIONED: Skip the guesswork and enjoy a bar-quality cocktail at home. Our syrup is expertly balanced with rich bitters, citrus notes, and natural sweetness for a smooth, classic Old Fashioned every time.
- PREMIUM INGREDIENTS: Made with real orange peel, cherry, and warm spices like cinnamon and clove to capture the timeless flavor of this iconic cocktail. No artificial flavors or shortcuts - just authentic taste.
- SIMPLE & CONVENIENT: Just add whiskey, bourbon, or rye, stir over ice, and garnish. In seconds, you’ll have a perfectly balanced Old Fashioned without the hassle of muddling or measuring.
- BAR-QUALITY, AT HOME OR ON THE GO: Whether you’re hosting a party, enjoying a quiet night in, or gifting a cocktail lover, our Old Fashioned syrup delivers a consistent, crowd-pleasing experience.
- CLEAN & RESPONSIBLE: Non-GMO, gluten-free, and alcohol-free syrup you can feel good about keeping on your bar cart. Once opened, best enjoyed within 3-4 months.
The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Bourbon Mixers
Bourbon is a bold, complex spirit. Choosing the right mixer can either highlight its flavors or hide them completely. Whether you want a simple highball or a complex craft cocktail, the right mixer makes all the difference. This guide will help you select the perfect companion for your favorite bottle.
1. Key Features to Look For
When shopping for mixers, look for balance. A great mixer should complement the oak, vanilla, and caramel notes of the bourbon. Avoid mixers that are too sugary, as they can drown out the spirit. Look for high-quality ingredients like real ginger, fresh citrus, or natural bitters. Carbonation level is also important; a strong fizz keeps the drink refreshing until the last sip.
2. Important Materials and Ingredients
Quality starts with the label. Check for natural sweeteners like cane sugar or honey instead of high-fructose corn syrup. If you are buying ginger beer or ale, look for brands that use real ginger root. For bitters or shrubs, look for botanical extracts rather than artificial flavors. Glass bottles are often preferred over plastic because they keep carbonation fresh for a longer period.
3. Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Freshness is the biggest factor in quality. Always check the expiration date on your mixers. If a soda has been sitting on a shelf for a year, it will lose its “bite.” You should also consider the dilution factor. A high-quality mixer should taste good even when diluted with ice. Avoid mixers with artificial dyes, as these can ruin the look and the natural taste of your bourbon.
4. User Experience and Use Cases
Think about how you plan to drink your bourbon. If you want a quick drink after work, a pre-made ginger ale or soda water is perfect. If you are hosting a party, you might want to buy separate ingredients like fresh lemon juice and simple syrup to make a classic Gold Rush. Consider the “proof” of your bourbon, too. A high-proof bourbon needs a bolder mixer, like a spicy ginger beer, to stand up to the alcohol.
10 Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does the price of the mixer matter?
A: Yes, premium mixers usually use better ingredients. These ingredients lead to a smoother, more natural taste.
Q: Can I use club soda with any bourbon?
A: Absolutely. Club soda is the best way to open up the aromas of a bourbon without adding extra sugar.
Q: What is the best mixer for a beginner?
A: Ginger ale is the most popular choice. It is sweet, bubbly, and masks the “burn” of the alcohol well.
Q: Should I use tap water to dilute my bourbon?
A: It is better to use filtered or bottled water. Chlorine in tap water can change the flavor of the whiskey.
Q: How do I keep my carbonated mixers fresh?
A: Keep them in a cool, dark place. Once opened, store them in the fridge and use them within 24 hours.
Q: Are fruit juices good mixers?
A: Yes, but always use freshly squeezed juice. Bottled juice often contains preservatives that taste metallic.
Q: What is a “shrub” in a cocktail?
A: A shrub is a syrup made from vinegar, sugar, and fruit. It adds a nice tangy kick to bourbon drinks.
Q: Does the ice quality matter?
A: Yes. Use large, clear ice cubes. They melt slowly and keep your drink cold without watering it down too fast.
Q: Can I mix bourbon with tea?
A: Yes, black tea or unsweetened iced tea makes a great, refreshing drink, especially in the summer.
Q: Should I shake or stir my mixed bourbon drink?
A: Stir drinks with carbonated mixers. Shake drinks that contain citrus or egg whites to get the right texture.
Hi, I’m Larry Fish, the mind behind MyGrinderGuide.com.. With a passion for all things kitchen appliances, I created this blog to share my hands-on experience and expert knowledge. Whether it’s helping you choose the right tools for your culinary adventures or offering tips to make your kitchen more efficient, I’m here to guide you. My goal is to make your time in the kitchen not only easier but also enjoyable! Welcome to my world of kitchen mastery!