Ever wonder what makes a bourbon truly shine when it’s mixed into your favorite cocktail? It’s not just about the bourbon itself, but how it plays with other ingredients. Picking the perfect bourbon for mixing can feel like a puzzle. So many bottles line the shelves, and it’s tough to know which one will blend well without overpowering your drink or getting lost in the mix.
Many people end up with a bourbon that’s either too harsh or too sweet for their intended cocktail, leading to a disappointing drink. You want that perfect balance, that smooth, delicious sip every time. This guide is here to help you solve that puzzle.
By the end of this post, you’ll know exactly what to look for in a mixer bourbon. We’ll break down the key qualities that make a bourbon a great partner in a cocktail. Get ready to discover how to choose a bourbon that will elevate your mixed drinks from good to absolutely fantastic.
Our Top 5 Mixer Bourbon Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 Mixer Bourbon 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: 9.1/10
Elevate your home bartending game with Bittermilk No.1 Bourbon Barrel Aged Old Fashioned Mix. This all-natural, handcrafted cocktail mixer delivers a complex flavor profile that surpasses traditional bitters and simple syrup. It’s designed for anyone who wants to create a truly exceptional Old Fashioned with minimal effort.
What We Like:
- Crafted by experienced bartenders using real, high-quality ingredients.
- Winner of prestigious awards like Garden & Gun’s “Made in the South” and multiple SOFI Awards, proving its excellence.
- Aged in Willett bourbon barrels, it gains a unique depth and hints of oak and bourbon.
- Incredibly simple to use: just add spirit and ice for a perfect cocktail.
- Made with no artificial ingredients, focusing on natural bittering agents, spices, and fresh orange peel.
- Versatile enough for mocktails, offering a balanced blend of bitter, sweet, and acid.
- Makes a generous amount of cocktails, with over 17 servings per bottle.
What Could Be Improved:
- Some might prefer more control over the exact aging notes in their mix.
- The “just add booze” simplicity might be less appealing to very advanced mixologists seeking more hands-on creation.
Bittermilk No.1 offers a shortcut to a sophisticated and delicious Old Fashioned. It’s an award-winning, barrel-aged solution for crafting amazing cocktails at home.
2. Strongwater Old Fashioned Craft Cocktail Mixer Sample 4 Pack – Makes 16 Cocktails – Handcrafted Old Fashioned Gift Set – Travel-Friendly
Rating: 9.0/10
Ready to elevate your home bar game? The Strongwater Old Fashioned Craft Cocktail Mixer Sample 4 Pack is your ticket to crafting delicious, bar-quality Old Fashioned cocktails with ease. This set includes four award-winning flavors, perfect for both seasoned mixologists and beginners. Each small bottle is packed with natural ingredients, making it a simple yet sophisticated way to enjoy your favorite spirit.
What We Like:
- Offers four unique and award-winning flavors: Classic, Maple Pecan, Espresso, and Smoked.
- Made with high-quality, organic ingredients like cherries, orange peel, and warm spices.
- Contains no artificial sweeteners or flavors, ensuring a pure taste.
- Each 1 oz bottle makes four cocktails, so the 4-pack creates a total of 16 drinks.
- Perfectly sized for travel and makes a fantastic gift for cocktail lovers.
- Simple to use – just add ice, your spirit of choice, and the mixer.
- Versatile enough for both alcoholic and mocktail creations.
What Could Be Improved:
- The sampler pack is a great introduction, but some users might want larger bottles of their favorite flavors sooner.
This Strongwater sampler pack makes enjoying a perfect Old Fashioned incredibly simple. It’s a delightful way to explore new tastes and impress your guests.
3. Strongwater Old Fashioned Mix – Makes 32 Cocktails – Handcrafted Old Fashioned Syrup with Bitters
Rating: 9.4/10
Making a delicious Old Fashioned at home just got a whole lot easier with Strongwater Old Fashioned Mix. This handcrafted syrup is designed to give you that perfect, smooth, and layered cocktail every single time. It’s a fantastic addition to any home bar, simplifying your cocktail-making process.
-
What We Like:
- It makes 32 cocktails, so you get a lot of value.
- The flavor is well-balanced and smooth.
- It’s made with real organic cherries and orange zest.
- The mix includes cinnamon, clove, cardamom, and bitter herbs for a complex taste.
- It’s super easy to use: just add ice, syrup, and your favorite whiskey.
- It was a Good Foods Award Finalist in 2019, which shows it’s a quality product.
- It’s non-GMO and gluten-free, making it suitable for many people.
- It doesn’t contain alcohol, so you control the strength of your drink.
- The product should be used within 3-4 months of opening, so you need to use it up fairly quickly.
- While it’s easy to use, it doesn’t include the whiskey, which you have to buy separately.
What Could Be Improved:
If you love Old Fashioneds but want a simple way to make them taste professional, this mix is a winner. It brings great flavor and convenience right to your kitchen.
4. Barsmith Old Fashioned Mix – Classic Whiskey Drink Mixer w/Sweetness
Rating: 9.1/10
Elevate your home bar game with Barsmith Old Fashioned Mix. This premium non-GMO drink mixer delivers the authentic, bar-quality taste of a classic Old Fashioned right to your glass. It’s expertly crafted for whiskey lovers, offering a perfect balance of sweetness, cherry, citrus, and bitters. You can easily make smooth, flavorful drinks every time. This versatile mixer is perfect for bourbon cocktails and any occasion, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned mixologist.
What We Like:
- Brings authentic, classic bar-quality taste home.
- Expertly balanced flavor with sweetness, cherry, citrus, and bitters.
- Made with quality, natural ingredients like pure cane sugar and honey.
- Non-GMO and free from artificial additives for a clean taste.
- Versatile; works for classic Old Fashioneds and other whiskey drinks.
What Could Be Improved:
- The bottle size (12.7 oz) might be finished quickly for frequent home bar users.
- While it’s a great mixer, some purists might still prefer to build their Old Fashioned from scratch.
Barsmith Old Fashioned Mix makes crafting delicious whiskey cocktails simple and enjoyable. It’s a fantastic addition to any home bar for effortless, high-quality drinks.
5. Bittermilk Bourbon Barrel Aged Manhattan Mix – All Natural Handcrafted Cocktail Mixer – Manhattan Cocktail Mix – Just Add Whiskey
Rating: 9.3/10
Craving a perfect Manhattan cocktail at home? The Bittermilk Bourbon Barrel Aged Manhattan Mix makes it incredibly simple. This all-natural, handcrafted mixer is designed by bartenders to give you that classic, complex flavor without all the fuss. Just add your favorite whiskey, and you’re on your way to a delicious drink.
What We Like:
- HANDCRAFTED BY BARTENDERS: Made with real ingredients by people who know cocktails.
- AWARD-WINNING RECIPE: Based on a popular formula, it tastes like vermouth but without the alcohol.
- BOURBON BARREL AGED: Aged in Willett bourbon barrels, it gets extra flavor and notes of oak and bourbon.
- SIMPLE TO USE: Only two ingredients needed: the mix and your whiskey. It’s easy to make a great drink.
- ALL NATURAL INGREDIENTS: Uses things like gentian root, cinchona bark, spices, and real fruit for a balanced taste.
- MAKES 17 COCKTAILS: A single bottle gives you enough for many delicious Manhattans.
What Could Be Improved:
- Ratio Adjustment: While the suggested ratio is good, some might prefer to experiment to find their perfect personal taste.
If you love Manhattans but want an easy way to make them with amazing flavor, this Bittermilk mix is a fantastic choice. It brings bar-quality taste right to your kitchen.
Choosing Your Perfect Mixer Bourbon: A Guide
Bourbon isn’t just for sipping neat. Many people love to mix bourbon into delicious cocktails. Finding the right bourbon for your mixers makes a big difference. This guide helps you pick the best bourbon for your drink-making adventures.
1. Key Features to Look For
When you’re picking bourbon for mixing, some things matter more than others.
A. Flavor Profile
You want a bourbon that plays well with other ingredients. Look for bourbons with a balanced flavor. They shouldn’t be too sweet or too strong. Common flavors include vanilla, caramel, oak, and sometimes a hint of spice. A good mixer bourbon has flavors that don’t get lost when you add juice or soda.
B. Proof (Alcohol Content)
The proof tells you how much alcohol is in the bourbon. For mixing, a proof between 80 and 100 is usually ideal. Lower proofs might get weak in a cocktail. Higher proofs can be too overpowering. A mid-range proof offers a good balance.
C. Price Point
You don’t need to break the bank for a good mixer bourbon. Many excellent options are affordable. Aim for a price that feels right for your budget. You can find great value in the $20-$40 range.
2. Important Materials (What Goes Into It)
Bourbon is made from grains. The main ingredients are corn, rye, and malted barley.
- Corn: This gives bourbon its sweet flavor. Most bourbons have at least 51% corn.
- Rye: This adds a bit of spice and complexity. More rye means a spicier bourbon.
- Malted Barley: This helps with fermentation.
The type and amount of these grains, called the “mash bill,” affect the bourbon’s taste. For mixing, a bourbon with a balanced mash bill often works best.
3. Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Several things can make a bourbon better or worse for mixing.
A. Aging Process
Bourbon must be aged in new, charred oak barrels. The time spent aging affects the flavor. Shorter aging times often result in lighter, crisper flavors that are good for mixing. Longer aging can create richer, more complex flavors that might be better for sipping.
B. Filtration
Some bourbons are filtered after aging. This can smooth out the flavor. For mixing, a bourbon that has been charcoal filtered can sometimes be too mellow. You want a bourbon with enough character to stand up in a drink.
C. Brand Reputation
Well-known brands often have consistent quality. Many popular bourbon brands have expressions specifically suited for cocktails. Do a little research or ask for recommendations.
4. User Experience and Use Cases
How you plan to use your bourbon matters.
A. Cocktails
Are you making simple highballs like a bourbon and ginger ale? Or more complex drinks like an Old Fashioned or Manhattan? For simple mixers, a more straightforward bourbon is great. For classic cocktails, you might want something with a bit more depth.
B. Flavor Combinations
Think about what you’ll mix it with. Bourbon pairs well with citrus, cola, ginger beer, and vermouth. A bourbon with vanilla or caramel notes complements many mixers.
C. Ease of Use
You want a bourbon that’s easy to find and pleasant to pour. Most widely available bourbons are good choices for everyday mixing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Mixer Bourbon
Q: What makes a bourbon good for mixing?
A: A good mixer bourbon has a balanced flavor that doesn’t get lost in other ingredients. It also has a proof that isn’t too high or too low.
Q: Do I need an expensive bourbon for cocktails?
A: No, you don’t. Many affordable bourbons are excellent for mixing. Focus on balanced flavor and a suitable proof.
Q: What kind of flavors should I look for in a mixer bourbon?
A: Look for notes of vanilla, caramel, and a hint of oak or spice. These flavors mix well with common cocktail ingredients.
Q: Is a higher proof bourbon better for cocktails?
A: Not always. A proof between 80 and 100 is usually best. Very high proof bourbons can overpower other flavors.
Q: What are the main ingredients in bourbon?
A: Bourbon is made from at least 51% corn, along with rye and malted barley.
Q: How does aging affect bourbon for mixing?
A: Shorter aging times often produce lighter, crisper bourbons that are great for cocktails. Longer aging can make them richer.
Q: Can I use any bourbon for any cocktail?
A: While you can, some bourbons work better for certain drinks. A lighter bourbon is good for simple mixers, while a more complex one might suit a classic cocktail.
Q: What is “mash bill”?
A: Mash bill refers to the types and amounts of grains used to make the bourbon. It greatly influences the flavor.
Q: Where can I find good mixer bourbon recommendations?
A: Ask bartenders, read reviews on spirit websites, or check with knowledgeable staff at liquor stores.
Q: Should I worry about “chill filtering” for mixer bourbon?
A: Chill filtering can sometimes make bourbon too smooth for mixing. A bourbon with a bit more character often performs better in cocktails.
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.
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!