Top 10 Cocktail Mixers Every Bar Needs
Using the right mixer is just as important as the right type of alcohol when crafting the perfect cocktail. Every bar worth its salt knows that having an assortment of mixers is essential for success. These versatile ingredients are the secret behind some of the most popular and delicious drinks out there. Whether you're a seasoned bartender or a novice mixologist looking to up your game, having a selection of high-quality cocktail mixers is a must. We've compiled a list of the 10 best cocktail mixers you should always have on hand to take your drinks from ordinary to extraordinary.
Shop All Bar Drink Mixes1. Sweet and Sour Mix
Whether you're mixing up classic cocktails or experimenting with new recipes, having a sweet and sour mix on hand is essential for any bar. Its lemon-lime flavor adds a tart and tangy kick to cocktails, making them more enjoyable for those who prefer a bit of acidity in their beverages. Using a sweet and sour mix saves time and effort in the bar setting, as it eliminates the need to source fresh citrus without sacrificing flavor.
Sweet and sour mix can be combined with virtually any spirit but the most common are vodka, gin, tequila, and whiskey. Its versatility is unmatched, as it can be used in an endless number of popular drinks, including whiskey sours, amaretto sours, Long Island iced teas, and margaritas.
2. Margarita Mix
Keeping a quality margarita mix on hand provides a convenient solution for bustling bars aiming to serve up delicious and consistent margaritas without the need for extensive preparation. Delivering a sweet and tangy lime flavor, simply pour the mix into a shaker with tequila and ice, shake it up, and pour the mixture into a glass for a quick and easy margarita.
Using a margarita mix ensures that every margarita you serve has a consistent flavor profile, making it easier to maintain quality and customer satisfaction. Margarita mixes can also be used to make frozen margaritas or can be combined with fruit purees to make a variety of different flavored margaritas. You can also opt to use rum or vodka to make frozen daiquiris and other tropical cocktails.
3. Bloody Mary Mix
A quality Bloody Mary mix is essential if you want to impress your customers with a top-notch brunch experience. Look for a mix that strikes the right balance in terms of consistency - you don't want it to be too watery or too thick. The perfect Bloody Mary mix should pour smoothly and coat the glass evenly, setting the stage for a visually appealing cocktail.
When selecting a Bloody Mary mix for your bar, consider the spice level. A traditional Bloody Mary should have a kick that is just the right level of spice to appeal to the masses. There are extra spicy mix options available for a bolder drink, or you can customize your traditional mix by adding ingredients like jalapenos and citrus to cater to different taste preferences and create customized cocktails. You can also switch out the type of liquor to offer more drinks – use tequila for a Bloody Maria, bourbon for a Bloody Derby, rum for a Cubanita, and gin to make a Red Snapper.
4. Mojito Mix
Almost every bartender has experienced being in the weeds and getting the dreaded mojito order. Compared to other drinks, mojitos can be time-consuming to make correctly from scratch. Enter mojito mix – the ultimate shortcut to creating refreshing and flavorful mojitos without the hassle. One of the biggest advantages of using a mojito mix is that it eliminates the need to muddle mint. Say goodbye to the tedious task of crushing mint leaves to release their essential oils – with a quality mojito mix, you can achieve that classic minty flavor with ease.
Not only does mojito mix save you from the laborious muddling process, but it also eliminates the mess and time associated with making mojitos from scratch. With a reliable mojito mix on hand, you can whip up perfectly balanced mojitos in no time, without sacrificing that authentic flavor that makes this cocktail a favorite among patrons.
5. Daiquiri Mix
If you run a beachside bar, serving up refreshing daiquiris and margaritas is a must. Daiquiri mix offers a delicious blend of sweet and tangy flavors, making it a versatile option for creating a wide range of cocktails, including classic or frozen strawberry daiquiris and margaritas, with ease. All you need to add is rum, and you're ready to serve up these popular cocktails to your patrons.
Using a daiquiri mix saves time and effort in the bar setting, as it eliminates the need to source fresh strawberries and citrus without sacrificing flavor. With this mixer on hand, you can quickly and efficiently prepare large quantities of refreshing frozen cocktails, ensuring that your customers are satisfied and your bar operation runs smoothly.
6. Martini Mix
Gone are the days of spending precious time measuring and mixing various ingredients to achieve that perfect balance of flavors. With martini mixes, making a quality martini has never been easier. With options ranging from the classic dirty martini to the indulgent espresso martini and the sophisticated Manhattan, there's a martini mix to suit every customer.
With the right martini mix, you can simply mix, shake, and pour your way to a delicious cocktail in no time. These mixes deliver speed and convenience without sacrificing the fresh flavor that every martini lover craves. Whether you prefer a classic gin martini or a fruity vodka martini, these mixes can help you achieve the perfect cocktail every time. Some mixes can even be used to create wine-tinis, a refreshing twist on the traditional martini that combines crisp white wine with a splash of mixer.
7. Old Fashioned Mix
Creating a classic Old Fashioned requires precise ingredients and perfect mixing for the ideal dilution. Save time on preparation and still enjoy a fresh, authentic taste by opting for an Old Fashioned mixer. With just whiskey and ice required, this mixer ensures you get the exact Old Fashioned you desire consistently.
A good Old Fashioned mix should strike a balance between sweetness, bitterness, and aromatic complexity, enhancing the overall drinking experience. Many top-quality Old Fashioned mixes are crafted with a blend of sugar, bitters, and citrus flavors, creating a well-rounded profile that pairs beautifully with bourbon or rye whiskey. Many Old Fashioned mixes can even be used beyond creating the classic American cocktail – try mixing with brandy, tequila, or spiced rum and ice to create unique cocktails for your menu.
8. Pina Colada Mix
Creamy, tropical, and the perfect addition to any summer vacation, offering pina coladas is a must for any beach, pool, or tiki bar. A pina colada mix combines the coconut and pineapple flavors without the hassle of preparing fresh ingredients, making it perfect for creating batch cocktails in your frozen drink machine for fast service. You can easily whip up this tropical favorite with pina colada mixes by simply blending the mix with rum and ice to create a refreshing frozen pina colada.
But the versatility of pina colada mixes doesn't stop there. Beyond the traditional cocktail, these mixes can also be used to create a variety of drinks, including smoothies and other tropical cocktails like a mango colada or Painkiller. This added flexibility makes pina colada mixes a valuable addition to any bar's inventory, offering endless possibilities for creative and delicious beverages.
9. Fruit Purees
Enhance your cocktails with the vibrant flavors of fresh fruits without the added expenses and time-consuming preparation. Fruit purees offer the same fresh taste with the added benefits of shelf stability and no need for muddling. With fruit purees, you can easily create classic cocktails like bellinis, sangrias, daiquiris, and margaritas, as well as experiment with unique concoctions to impress your customers. They come in a variety of fruit options from strawberry and peach to passion fruit and mango.
Not only are fruit purees perfect for alcoholic beverages, but they are also great for making alcohol-free drinks such as lemonade and Italian sodas. This means you can cater to all types of customers, whether they're looking for a refreshing mocktail or a sophisticated cocktail creation.
10. Cocktail Shrubs
Cocktail shrubs, also known as drinking vinegars, are a mix of fruit, sugar, and vinegar that are left to infuse and create a complex flavor profile. The vinegar adds a bright acidity that balances out the sweetness of the fruit, bringing sweet, tangy, and tart notes to a beverage. Common fruits used in shrubs include berries, citrus, and stone fruits, but the possibilities are endless. Shrubs are highly concentrated so typically only a few drops are needed to elevate a cocktail.
When it comes to using shrubs in cocktails, the options are limitless. They can be mixed with spirits like gin, vodka, or rum to create vibrant and well-balanced drinks. Try adding a splash of shrub to a classic cocktail like a margarita or a mojito for a refreshing twist.
Cocktail Mixer Brands
When it comes to stocking your bar with essential cocktail mixers, it's important to consider the brands that offer quality and flavor. A well-crafted cocktail can make or break a customer's experience, so it's crucial to choose the right mixer brands that will elevate your drink menu. Here are five top cocktail mixer brands that have earned their reputation in the industry for consistently delivering high-quality cocktail ingredients:
1. Finest Call
Known for their wide range of flavors, Finest Call premium cocktail mixers are a popular choice among bartenders. Whether you're looking to create classic cocktails or experiment with new concoctions, Finest Call offers a reliable and consistent taste. Designed with bartenders in mind, each bottle features an easy pour top and a closure cap to reduce messes, and the long bottle neck and pourer help provide a perfect pour every time.
- Mix Type: Cocktail mixers, purees, juice, concentrates, syrups
- Sizes Available: 1 liter and 1 gallon bottles
- Sugar-Free/Unsweetened Flavors: Yes
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2. Regal
With top-tier tastes at a lower cost than leading brands, Regal is a reliable source for all your bar essentials. Their mixers are made with natural flavors and real fruit juices, ensuring a vibrant and authentic flavor profile. Their mixer bottles are compatible with liquor pourers and fit perfectly in bar rails for quick service.
- Mix Type: Cocktail mixers, syrups
- Sizes Available: 1 liter bottles
- Sugar-Free/Unsweetened Flavors: No
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3. Master of Mixes
Master of Mixes has established itself as a trusted brand among bartenders and offers a wide selection of cocktail mixers to cater to any bar's needs. Their mixers are carefully crafted using premium fruits and natural sweeteners, resulting in a balanced and delicious taste. Their easy-to-squeeze 375 mL bottles perform well in fast-paced environments and feature an aerodynamic closure design that provides portion control with a smooth shut-off action.
- Mix Type: Cocktail mixers, syrups
- Sizes Available: 375 mL and 1 liter bottles
- Sugar-Free/Unsweetened Flavors: Yes
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4. Monin
Monin is renowned for its range of premium syrups that can be used in a variety of applications from coffees to cocktails to lemonades. In addition to their flavoring syrups, they also offer a line of craft cocktail mixers to use behind the bar. Their products are made from all-natural ingredients, including pure cane sugar and real fruit, and are available in a vast array of flavors, giving bartenders the freedom to experiment and create signature drinks.
- Mix Type: Cocktail mixers, syrups
- Sizes Available: 750 mL, 1 liter, and 1/2 gallon bottles
- Sugar-Free/Unsweetened Flavors: Yes
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5. Real Cocktail Ingredients
True to its name, Real Cocktail Ingredients offers puree-infused syrups made from real fruit and natural flavors. They source fresh ingredients from all over the world to deliver authentic flavor and quality, allowing bartenders to create high-quality cocktails with ease. Their product line includes classic flavors like cream of coconut and strawberry to more adventurous flavors like guava and lychee. Each syrup is packaged in an easy-to-use squeeze bottle that maximizes handling and dispensing while keeping the bar mess-free.
- Mix Type: Syrups
- Sizes Available: 16.9 fl. oz. bottles
- Sugar-Free/Unsweetened Flavors: No
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Cocktail mixers ensure drink consistency and streamline drink orders, making them great for high-volume bars, catering events, or operations with high bartender turnover. Investing in quality mixers can be cost-effective in the long run, as it eliminates the need to purchase multiple ingredients separately and can reduce food costs and waste.
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