“Look for flavor in a mixer, but also look for a good story behind it,” says Baker. “Ones with the fewest ingredients as possible express the pure essence of their main flavor,” she asserts.

Momose says that, in general, the fewer ingredients are on the bottle, the better the quality of the mixer. Long ingredient lists signal artificial and, potentially, off-tasting additives. What to Look for in a Cocktail Mixer Fewer ingredients But if you want to concoct your own and achieve a more luscious body and taste, go with Jack Rudy Classic Tonic Syrup ( view at Walmart).

For a brisk, clean drink, Top Note ( view at Amazon) sparkles. There are so many approaches to tonic on the market now. Plus, mixers help minimize food waste.ĭon't know where to start? We did the research to help you find the best handcrafted mixers for your next cocktail party. The garnish on top? “When you find one you enjoy, it provides consistency,” says Momose-particularly as the flavor combinations from delicate herbs, exotic fruits and spices become harder to make from scratch. Gone are the days of sticky-sweet, chemical-filled add-ins today’s brands bring all sorts of handcrafted, natural mixers to the table, many of them made by bartenders themselves. That means your cocktail mixer better be good-and luckily, mixers have evolved for the better, according to Baker. “Rather than homing in on the flavor profile you want, you’re at the whim of the mixer.” “They dictate how your drink is going to taste,” says Julia Momose, partner and creative director of Chicago’s Kumiko. 'You don’t have to reinvent the wheel,' says the veteran of high-end New York bars such as The Aviary and The Grill.īut, there's a drawback. Cocktail mixers can make your life-at least when it comes to making cocktails-more efficient, according to mixology teacher Anthony “the Professor” Baker.

Bartender drink mixer