No. 01 / 03Small gift
Small giftBartender kit with stand
A shaker, jigger, strainer and muddler are everything the recipes above need. Read the current listing for exactly what’s included.
Recipes · Home bar
Unconventional mixers: because cola is too mainstream
Five homemade mixers that take ten minutes and make a plain highball taste like a bar menu, plus the tools that make them easy.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy through the links below, this site may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We haven’t lab-tested these products; notes summarize owner reviews and named publications. $ marks are rough price tiers, so check today’s price on Amazon.
I · The short versionQuick picks
| No. | Pick | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cucumber in a bottleMonin cucumber syrup $$$$ | Check price on Amazon ↗ |
| 2 | Shake them rightBartender kit with stand $$$$ | Check price on Amazon ↗ |
| 3 | Smoke the bourbon oneSmokeTop cocktail smoker $$$$ | Check price on Amazon ↗ |
| 4 | Big upgrade: nugget iceGE Profile Opal 2.0 $$$$ | Check price on Amazon ↗ |
II · Five mixersFive mixers that beat cola
01 Cucumber-mint
Muddle a few cucumber slices and mint leaves, or use Monin cucumber syrup for a shortcut. Top a gin highball with soda for a cooler G&T.
02 Ginger-lemongrass
Simmer sliced ginger and bruised lemongrass in simple syrup for 10 minutes, then strain. It’s great with dark rum and soda.
03 Pineapple-basil
Blend pineapple, strain, and shake it with torn basil. Use it in place of triple sec in a margarita.
04 Blackberry-sage
Muddle blackberries with a sage leaf and a little syrup. It’s a natural match for bourbon. Add a wisp of wood smoke and it’s a dinner-party drink.
05 Chai spice
Steep a chai tea bag in hot simple syrup. With vodka and a splash of cream it tastes like a grown-up chai latte.
III · The gearTools that make homemade mixers easy
No. 02 / 03Mid-range
Mid-rangeMiddleton Mixology SmokeTop smoker kit
Wood smoke over the blackberry-sage bourbon drink.
What owners say · In owner reviews of smoker kits, cheap bundled torches are the most common failure. Chip flavor varies, and resin builds up over time.
No. 03 / 03Splurge
SplurgeGE Profile Opal 2.0 nugget ice maker
Fruity, muddled drinks are better over nugget ice.
What owners say · Owners love the ice but say to use distilled water and clean the hidden tank, or it screeches and grows mold. Expect a two- to three-year lifespan.
IV · Asked oftenFAQ
How long do homemade syrups keep?
Most keep about two weeks in a sealed jar in the fridge. Toss any that look cloudy.
Can I make these alcohol-free?
Yes. Every mixer here works with soda water alone.
Keep reading: Bar carts & cabinets · 10 things every home bar needs · The bar spoon