By having a supply of essential alcohol mixers on hand, you’re ready to whip up the drink of choice for almost any guest that pops by.

But what are the essentials when it comes to alcohol mixers? And what do you make with them? To the experienced home bartender, the answers might seem obvious, but if you’re just setting up your home bar or perhaps preparing to host a party for the first time, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer mass of mixers, juices and syrups out there.

Knowing which mixers are the true essentials helps you keep your beverage bar prepared, manageable and crowd-pleasing – and we’re here to help to pick the best ones.

Tips for buying alcohol mixers

• Buy single-serve cans or bottles that not only have a long expiration date but are recyclable and help reduce waste.
• Be aware of the sugar content! Some mixers are very sweet and have the power to ruin a lovely drink, so make sure you check the sugar content before you buy.
• Alcohol isn’t for everyone, so buy quality mixers that taste great on their own with lots of ice!
• Remember, versatility is key, so if you only have room for a few mixers, stick to the ones that work with a range of drinks, such as soda water.
• When it comes to juice mixers, freshness makes a big difference to flavour!

Alcohol Mixers: 7 Essentials For Your Home Bar

Shopping lists at the ready! We’ve put the most popular alcohol mixers in one spot for you. And to help take the guesswork out of how to use them, we’ve also given you a list of some of the most loved drinks that use these particular mixers. You’re welcome.

Tonic Water

A true staple and oh-so-versatile, tonic water is just as wonderful on its own with ice as it is in a mixed drink. Switch it out for soda water for something a little less bitter.

What drinks to make with tonic water:

• Gin and Tonic
• White Wine Spritz
• Whiskey Tonic
• Vodka Tonic
• Tequila, Tonic & Lime

Coke (and all its varieties!)

Arguably the most popular alcohol mixer around, Coke is not only easily accessible but affordable. Better yet, it comes in so many different varieties, from diet to caffeine-free and zero sugar, that there’s something to please everyone.

What drinks to make with Coke:

• Rum and Coke
• Black Russian (Vodka, Kahlua and Coke)
• Cuba Libre (Rum, Coke and Lime Juice)
• Whiskey and Coke
• Long Island Iced Tea (the splash of Coke/Cola is what gives it its unmistakable hue!)

Ginger Ale / Ginger Beer

While ginger ale and ginger beer have quite distinctive flavours, many of the drinks that use one work well with the other. Zesty with a lovely hint of spice, this is a flavour-packed mixer that elevates drinks. Try it with spiced rum for a flavour-packed sip!

What drinks to make with ginger ale or ginger beer:

• Moscow Mule (Vodka, Ginger Ale and Lime Juice)
• Dark and Stormy (Rum, Ginger Ale and Lime Juice)
• Irish Buck or Whiskey Ginger (Whiskey, Ginger Ale and Lime Juice)
• Pimm’s Cup (Pimm’s, Ginger Ale, Strawberries, Cucumber and Mint)

Soda Water

The answer to bubbles, bubbles and more bubbles, soda water (or ‘Club Soda’) is the calorie-free king of drink mixers. It’s fabulous for lengthening and diluting the strength of spirit-based drinks, it’s hydrating and it’s completely flavour-free, so it lets the other ingredients shine.

What drinks to make with soda water:

• Wine Spritzers (Wine and Soda Water)
• Tom Collins (Gin, Lemon Juice, Sugar Syrup and Soda Water)
• Aperol Spritz (Aperol, Prosecco and Soda Water)
• Vodka, Lime and Soda
• Mojito (Rum, Lime Juice, Mint and Soda Water)

Orange Juice

Whether you add some to your favourite sparkling or pair it up with a cocktail, orange juice is a must-have for any citrussy drink – and it’s perfect for summer!

What drinks to make with orange juice:

• Mimosa (Sparkling Wine or Champagne and Orange Juice)
• Tequila Sunrise (Tequila, Orange Juice and Grenadine)
• Screwdriver (Vodka and Orange Juice)
• Harvey Wallbanger (Vodka, Orange Juice and Galliano

Lime Juice

Right up there with orange juice as a must-have in your beverage fridge, lime juice has the power to tone down sweetness and add that extra hit of acidity a drink needs. Consider it the tightrope walker of alcoholic mixers: it balances like a pro!

What drinks to make with lime juice:

• Vodka and Lime
• Margarita (Tequila, Cointreau and Lime Juice)
• Mojito (Rum, Mint, Soda Water and Lime Juice)
• Caipirinha (Cachaça, Lime Juice and Sugar)
• Whiskey Sour (Whiskey and Lime Juice)
• Moscow Mule (Vodka, Lime Juice and Ginger Ale)
• Cosmopolitan (Vodka, Cranberry Juice, Cointreau and Lime Juice)

Cranberry Juice

Tart with just a touch of sweetness, cranberry juice is widely loved and a fantastic way to add colour to your drinks. It balances well with zesty drinks and sweet drinks and is a mixer that’s popular all year round.

What drinks to make with cranberry juice:

• Cosmopolitan (Vodka, Cranberry Juice, Cointreau and Lime Juice)
• Cranberry Daiquiri (Rum, Cranberry Juice and Lime Juice)
• Sea Breeze (Vodka, Cranberry Juice and Grapefruit Juice)
• Madras (Vodka, Cranberry Juice and Orange Juice)

What mixer do you always keep on hand? Let us know in the comments below!

We may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post, please see our Terms & Conditions.