15 Best Bourbon Mixers To Spice Up Your Cocktail Fete In 2023: Reviews & Buying Guide
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Looking for some fantastic mixers for your bottle of bourbon at home? In this blog post, we will be listing down 9 of the best bourbon mixers. These mixers are sure to elevate bourbon's incredible taste and provide you with an even more enjoyable drinking experience.
We've got you covered whether you're seeking something classic or something a little more exotic. So grab a bourbon drink and get to mixing!
Our Top Picks
 
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Best Overall - Strongwater Old Fashioned Craft Cocktail Mixer• GMO-free and gluten-free |
Best Zero Calorie - Perrier Lime Flavored Carbonated Mineral Water• Canned and perfect for on-the-go |
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Best Non-GMO - Fever-Tree Premium Ginger Ale• Award-winning |
1. Strongwater Old Fashioned Craft Cocktail Mixer - Best Overall
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What Customers Have to Say
According to one of the buyers, this mixer allows you to make your favorite cocktails in a speedy and efficient fashion. They said that aside from using it for their own drinks, it is good enough to be used to make cocktails in their shop.
Why We Think It's Great
This bourbon mixer is non-GMO, gluten-free, and is handcrafted with natural, organic ingredients. It has also been nominated for the Good Food Awards in recent years, proof of its superior qualities over competitors.
Aside from being an excellent mixer for bourbon, it is also so good that you can drink it on its own over ice. It also doesn't have to be refrigerated; the mix will taste great even if stored at room temperature.
Who Should Buy It
If you're looking for a quality mixer that is zero-carb, this one's for you. Aside from being GMO-free and gluten-free, it is also sugar-free and vegan-friendly.
2. Bittermilk No.1 Bourbon Barrel Aged Old Fashioned Mix
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What Customers Have to Say
One satisfied customer said they found it delicious and the thickest mixes they have tried so far. However, since it also contains a relatively higher amount of sugar than others, it makes a rather sweet old fashion. But overall, it is a perfect mix and makes a crowd-pleaser of a drink.
Why We Think It's Great
Bittermilk Old Fashioned Syrup is aged in recently emptied and once-used Willett whiskey barrels. This adds depth and lets the flavors develop as it acquires bourbon notes and charred white oak, making it unlike any other Old Fashioned mixer on the market.
This specific flavor is also the drink category winner of Garden & Gun magazine’s prestigious “Made in the South” Awards in 2013, and the whole product line won even more awards. The fact that bartenders themselves handcraft it is a testament to its fantastic flavors.
Who Should Buy It
This mixer is ideal for buyers who prefer their popular cocktails on the sweeter side. There is 7g of sugar per 1oz serving, producing a rather sweet version of Old Fashioned.
3. Proof Pecan-Flavored Old Fashioned Cocktail Mixer
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What Customers Have to Say
A pleased shopper said the summer bourbon cocktails they made using this mixer tasted better than most they ordered at bars. They also shared that they were excited to have the convenience of making a delicious Old Fashioned cocktail at home whenever they please.
Why We Think It's Great
Compared to other syrups and mixers on this list, this Proof Pecan-Flavored Mixer has a long shelf life, and it can last 2 years from the bottling date. It is also made with the finest, freshest all-natural ingredients from vendors we trust.
This mixer is excellent for its unique pecan flavor. This is also great because these are gluten-free & non-GMO.
Who Should Buy It
Buyers looking for a uniquely flavored bourbon mixer should consider buying this one. It is blended with freshly roasted Georgia pecans that produce an Old Fashioned cocktail with a nutty and sweet flavor.
4. Woodford Reserve Spiced Cherry Cocktail Bitters
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What Customers Have to Say
One of the customers stated that this is their go-to cherry bitters. They love putting a few drops in bourbon drinks, and just a few go a long way.
Why We Think It's Great
Aside from the balance and complexity that the bitterness imparts, these specific bitters also provide a spiced cherry flavor that works well with various mixed drinks. You can also use it for other drinks like Manhattan and Rob Roy cocktails.
The lid also comes with a dropper, so it’s much easier to use. You’ll only need a few drops into the bourbon, and it’s ready to go.
Who Should Buy It
Purchase these bitters if you're looking for a mixer with a cherry flavor. It is also a terrific choice for shoppers who want a flexible mixer that can be used in other drinks.
5. Old Forester Perfect Old Fashioned Syrup
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What Customers Have to Say
One delighted customer commented that this is an excellent product. It makes the best homemade Old Fashioned they have ever had, and preparing it couldn't be made easier. Another buyer said that they loved the flavor and convenience it brings. They shared that they would pay more if a larger bottle was available.
Why We Think It's Great
Old Forester produced America's first bottled bourbon. Their products are known for being full of flavor, and you can be sure that their Old Fashioned syrup is of excellent quality.
This Kentucky brand is excellent for those who do not drink very often since the bottle is small. You won’t have to worry about the syrup being spoiled because of its small volume.
Who Should Buy It
Shoppers looking for a bourbon mixer in small quantities should buy this. If you are not using mixers frequently, then a small bottle like this will be great for you.
6. S.Pellegrino Sparkling Natural Mineral Water
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What Customers Have to Say
A pleased shopper stated that they absolutely love this sparkling water because it has the perfect amount and strength of bubbles. They also shared that the large bottle stays bubbly through the 3 servings they drink over one to two days.
Why We Think It's Great
S.Pellegrino produces only the finest mineral water from the San Pellegrino Terme area, located at the foothills of the Italian Alps. The mineral water will be ready after a 30-year journey through the earth.
The water becomes mineralized through contact with subsurface rocks, naturally enhancing S.Pellegrino with mineral salts, calcium, and magnesium. This unique process ensures that no artificial flavors or colors are used.
Who Should Buy It
Shoppers who prefer sparkling water with light and delicate flavors as their bourbon mixer will be satisfied with S.Pellegrino Sparkling Mineral Water. Those who want to keep the bourbon's flavors at the front should pick soda waters like this with no strong tastes like this.
7. Perrier Lime Flavored Carbonated Mineral Water - Best Zero Calorie
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What Customers Have to Say
One of the delighted customers shared that even though they are not a big fan of sparkling water, they weren't disappointed with the bubbles or the flavor of the Perrier lime water. They added that the bubbles are refreshing but not overbearing, and the flavor is crisp, not fake.
Why We Think It's Great
Perrier has been bottled in the South of France since 1863. Its effervescence and unique mineral blend are fantastic for quenching thirst, and it contains zero calories or sweeteners.
Additionally, it is canned and is available for an amazing 11 various flavors, including an option for unflavored sparkling water. If you ever fancy a different flavored sparkling water mixed with your glass of bourbon, this one has other options.
Who Should Buy It
This sparkling water brand is ideal for on-the-go refreshment, with its practical 250 milliliters sleek and slim can packaging.
8. Q Mixers Premium Ginger Beer
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What Customers Have to Say
A happy buyer said that this ginger beer's flavor is unlike others they have tried before. It has just enough spice to be addicting. They also shared that they wished for it to come in larger cans someday.
Why We Think It's Great
A high-quality mixer is a secret ingredient to a spectacular drink. Q Mixers are made with the best ingredients like organic agave and real ginger.
There are no overly sweet corn syrup or artificial ingredients used, so it is less sweet. Combine it with perfect carbonation, and it will make a fantastic mixer that lets the flavors of spirits like bourbon shine best.
Who Should Buy It
Consider purchasing this mixer if you're looking for a quality ginger beer for a mixer. If you want to try a new mixer and are finally convinced to try ginger beers or ginger ales as a mixer, then this brand will be a terrific choice.
9. Zevia Zero Calorie Ginger Ale
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What Customers Have to Say
According to a buyer, they are a big fan of Zevia, and the Ginger Ale flavor is their favorite. They also stated that other Zevia flavors are also good, but they love that this one has no caffeine and that they have a Ginger Ale flavor.
Why We Think It's Great
With a terrific blend of real ginger and citrus oils, Zevia Ginger Ale has a delicious taste with zero calories and no sugar. It makes it a healthy alternative to diet ginger ale brands. Zevia Ginger Ale is always refreshing to taste, be it for an upset tummy or a cocktail party mixer.
Sweetened with plant-derived stevia leaf extract, this diet soda is naturally sweetened to be a better and healthier alternative. It also comes in 24 packs of 12 ounces cans, so you get more volume for the same amount you’re paying for other brands.
Who Should Buy It
A customer who's on the lookout for a diet soda that can also be a fantastic mixer should try this brand. This soda is sweetened with plant-derived stevia leaf extract. It is non-GMO verified, gluten-free, Kosher, vegan, and free of added color, artificial sweeteners, and sodium.
10. Cocktail Crate Whiskey Lover's 3 Pack Drink Mixers
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What Customers Have to Say
The thrill-seeker shared that they picked up these bottles as a present for family members who love to make cocktails. The delighted men were all surprised by this cool new invention, which makes complicated tasks easy!
Why We Think It's Great
The Cocktail Crate prides itself on being America's number one brand for whiskey cocktail mixers, so you can expect that their products are exceptional. Their production process involves using only the finest non-GMO ingredients.
These cocktail mixers are handcrafted from demerara sugar, fresh orange juice, and aromatic bitters. They also don't use any corn syrup or any artificial flavors. Moreover, they source their ingredients directly from small, independent family-owned businesses, adding to its charms.
Who Should Buy It
Customers should consider buying this 3-pack mixer when they want to try more than one flavor of cocktail mixers. It is also affordable despite having three 375ml bottles, so those with not much budget but who want more volume will like it.
11. Fever-Tree Premium Ginger Ale - Best Non-GMO
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What Customers Have to Say
An avid customer shared that they have every ginger ale available in their storage fridge, but nothing compares to Fever-Tree. They added that it is their favorite and is best as a mixer for top-shelf liquors.
Why We Think It's Great
This ginger ale has been voted as the "No. 1 Best Selling" and "No. 1 Top Trending" Tonic Water brand by the world's best bartenders for five consecutive years. Aside from winning awards, it has also been constantly praised and acknowledged by customers for its fantastic taste and for being a terrific mixer.
Using only the world's finest gingers, this ale achieved its distinctive and delicious ginger flavor. The additional citrus notes result in an overwhelmingly clean finish, making this the perfect mixer for spirits like bourbon.
Who Should Buy It
Those who have a slightly larger budget and want a renowned and award-winning ginger ale as a mixer will love this one. It has a slightly higher price with a somewhat lower total volume. Still, it is loved by both professionals and regular consumers alike.
12. Mountain Cider Spiced Apple Cider Concentrate
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What Customers Have to Say
This cider concentrate is tasty and has no trace of artificial anything, shared by a happy buyer. They added that they are picky about ciders due to the funky chemical aftertaste present in apple ciders in the market. Still, this one doesn't have any of that.
Why We Think It's Great
Apple cider has a sweet, tart, and refreshing flavor that complements well with a spirit like a bourbon. This family-owned company produces this apple cider concentrate by boiling down freshly pressed apples and blending it with a blend of mulling spices, resulting in an authentic and delicious flavor.
Due to the particular production method employed, this cider concentrate doesn't need to be refrigerated after opening. Aside from being a bourbon mixer, you can also use this apple cider concentrate for baking, brines, and glazes.
Who Should Buy It
Suppose you're looking for an apple cider that can be easily stored and doesn't need refrigerating. In that case, the Mountain Cider Spiced Apple Cider Concentrate is your choice. It is delicious and free of that unwanted artificial taste to work well as a mixer.
13. Alpine Spiced Cider Apple Flavor Original Drink Mix
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What Customers Have to Say
This drink mix is what I consider a worthwhile purchase, commented a satisfied shopper. This apple cider tastes good as a standalone or as a mixer. They also revealed that even cider recipes are included in one of the boxes. Overall, they loved the taste and the convenience it brought.
Why We Think It's Great
Alpine's Original Spiced Apple Cider Mix is a delicious blend of cinnamon and apple flavor with an exquisite taste that goes well with many drinks and is delightful to sip on anytime. Alpine's history of more than 25 years is a testament to its outstanding products, and it will not disappoint.
It is also easy to use because it comes in single-serve packets, so no more measuring. This savory drink is also rich in Vitamin C, fat-free, and caffeine-free.
Who Should Buy It
This apple cider drink mix is delicious and also healthy. Aside from being perfect for sipping as a warm drink, it is also remarkable as a mixer and would taste fantastic with bourbon.
14. 365 Club Soda
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What Customers Have to Say
Satisfied customers commented that it has excellent flavor, good carbonation, and great value. They said it costs less than making their own club soda at home. Another customer shared that they used it to make some sparkling lemonade, and everyone loved it and that it's great to use for cocktails.
Why We Think It's Great
Soda water is a straightforward and valuable mixer for bourbon. It dilutes the spirit to be more drinkable without altering any flavors and qualities.
The 365 Club Soda is especially remarkable as a bourbon mixer because it doesn't have much flavor. No intense or powerful taste can possibly mask the flavors present in the bourbon.
Who Should Buy It
This mixer does not take away any of the bourbon's subtle flavors, so it is excellent for those who want to enjoy its taste to its fullest. It is also not very pricey, so this is a good choice for those with limited budgets.
15. WithCo Ellis Old Fashioned Craft Cocktail Mixer
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What Customers Have to Say
WithCo Ellis Old Fashioned Mix is arguably the best on the market, commented a happy buyer. You do not need to mix anything else in your drink, and it deserves a 5-star rating just for flavor alone.
Why We Think It's Great
This Old Fashioned mix is made only with fresh ingredients like Madagascar vanilla, orange, cinnamon, bitters, and pure cane sugar. It is all-natural, has no preservatives, and is gluten-free.
WithCo has been featured in notable publications such as Forbes, USA Today, Garden and Gun, Vogue, ABC, NBC, etc. Aside from being featured multiple times, it is also primarily praised for its extraordinary taste that wins over even the harshest critics.
Who Should Buy It
Shoppers with a bigger budget and want a tried and tested mixer should have a go at this one. Aside from having a wonderful flavor, it is also made with all-natural ingredients with no preservatives.
Best Bourbon Mixers Buying Guide
Bourbon is a complex spirit with a wide range of flavors. It can be the primary ingredient in a mixed drink or a supplementary one to add a hint of spice. You might feel that because it's such a flavorful spirit, there are just a few mixers that go well with it. Surprisingly, it mixes well with several mixers, from coffee to ginger beer.
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Type
You can use different types of mixers for a spirit like bourbon. Aside from easy and homemade mixers like plain water, homemade eggnog, coffee, and coca-cola, soda water, ginger ale, bitters, and syrups.
The premade and specialized syrups should be your ideal mixers for those who love their iconic classic cocktails like Old Fashioned and Manhattan. Although not technically a mixer, bitters are excellent to balance bourbon's caramel and vanilla flavors.
On the other hand, soda water is a very efficient mixer for bourbon. It dilutes the spirit without changing its flavor. The ginger ale must be pretty unlikely, but ginger actually adds "zing" to the sweetness and spiciness of the bourbon, resulting in a mixed drink that is rather refreshing.
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Taste
The primary goal of the mixer is to elevate the overall flavor and drinking experience. Ultimately, you are looking for a mixer to produce the best-tasting drink out of the classic bourbon.
Suppose you're looking for a mixer that only supports the bourbon's flavor. In that case, soda water or bitters will be a fantastic choice. However, if you want a flavorful drink, ginger ale or syrups that yield combined flavors or delicious recipes like Old Fashioned should do the job for you.
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Versatility
A mixer that can also be drunk on its own or be used elsewhere would be a practical and efficient item to consider, especially if what you're buying is in a bigger volume or bulk.
If you're not frequently using mixers for your bourbon, you should consider purchasing ready-to-drink mixers like soda water or ginger beer. Especially so since they are sold in packs of 24s or 30s.
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Price
Obviously, you cannot buy these mixers if it is not within your budget. Your budget range must cover the products you will purchase. It is excellent to keep in mind that it is best to be practical for these things.
After all, this is only a supplement for your servings of bourbon. You have to consider the price of your bottle of bourbon and the amount of mixer that is just sufficient for your consumption.
Best Bourbon Mixers FAQ
1. Do bourbon and Coke mix well?
Coca-Cola is actually one of the most popular mixers used with bourbon whiskey. This combination is prevalent with young or inexperienced drinkers. The sweetness of Coca-Cola makes the bourbon more drinkable, with the bourbon retaining its caramel, vanilla, and smokey flavor.
2. How can I make cheap bourbon taste better?
It's probably impossible to make a cheap bourbon taste as impressive as an expensive quality bourbon. However, there are still ways to make it taste better. The most obvious choice is to use mixers. It will add more flavors and complexity to a cheap bourbon's rather plain and undesirable qualities.
3. What other home ingredients can I mix bourbon with?
Aside from the ones listed above, other simpler ingredients are available at home that you can use as a mixer. The simplest would be water, which dilutes the spirit and allows the subtle flavors to shine more. Other options would be coffee or homemade eggnog.
Conclusion
Bourbon is an incredible drink all on its own. But sometimes, it is better to mix things up and experiment with different flavors. That's where these 15 mixers come in.
The best cocktail mixer on this list is the Strongwater Old Fashioned Craft Cocktail Mixer. It was nominated in award competitions, GMO-free and gluten-free, and good enough to drink independently.
Check out Perrier Lime Flavored Carbonated Mineral Water if you're on a diet. It has zero calories and sweeteners. It is also flavored and canned, making it perfect for on-the-go.
If you want a non-GMO product, Fever-Tree Premium Ginger Ale is the one for you. It is
blended from the finest gingers around the world. It has no artificial sweeteners and is gluten-free.
Did any of these mixers catch your eye? Share it with us!
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