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Leveling Up Your Alcohol Game With Mixers

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Drinking alcohol has become popular worldwide, with the oldest ever recorded alcoholic beverage dating from 7000 BCE. Alcohol is not a fad, and there are no signs that it will go away, ever. We drink to relax when we are stressed. We serve alcohol to celebrate. We drink for the supposed health benefits. We also look for ways to spice up alcoholic drinks. If you are tired of your usual whiskey or gin, it is time to shop for mixers.

Mixers

Human creativity and curiosity have led us to discover great things. This includes the invention of cocktail drink mixers. Mixers are any non-alcoholic ingredients added to alcoholic beverages to extend the drink, lower its alcohol level by volume, and add flavour. Drink mixers are a way to make your regular, boring alcoholic beverage “come to life.” 

Reason to use mixers

Mixers are added to drinks for different purposes. Mixers, whether other liquids or powders like this Margarita mix, are added to an alcoholic beverage to flavour your drink. You can also choose a mixer to dilute the strong taste of alcohol. A mixer can also enhance the flavour of alcohol. Some mixers create a distinction in the alcohol’s taste instead of diluting it. You can even use a mixer to change the flavour of your alcohol. 

Texture

Mixers can be used to change the texture of a drink. You can use regular milk or cream to add texture to make your drink thicker. Vanilla ice cream is an example of what you can use as a mixer that adds texture to your alcoholic beverage. Carbonated mixers such as ginger ale add fizziness to your drink.

Taste

Taste is an aspect a mixer adds to a cocktail. You can use different mixers depending on the taste that you want to add. Cola, for example, is added to whiskey to add sweetness and a bit of fizz. Tonic water adds bitterness to vodka and gin. Syrups add sweetness and flavour to a drink. Some syrups come in flavours such as caramel, hazelnut, and cinnamon. 

A mixer commonly used to mask the taste and smell of alcohol is coffee. Coffee can suppress the taste and smell of alcohol, making it easier to drink. This is good for those who enjoy the relaxing feeling alcohol gives but dislike the smell and flavour. Juice is also a flavour suppressor for alcohol. Orange juice is commonly added to gin to give it an orange fruit flavour and aroma.

Appearance

Appearance enhancement is another addition to how a mixer can affect a drink. Coloured mixers mixed with transparent alcohol such as gin, rum, or vodka make the drink taste different and add colour that makes a drink more fun and attractive. 

Home bar essentials

Stock up on these spirits and their corresponding mixers for when you need a drink or have company over:

Tonic water for Gin, Vodka, and Whiskey

Tonic water adds a slight taste of bitterness to spirits. You can shop for tonic water with flavours such as elderflower, Mediterranean, and Indian.

Vodka is the most used spirit in creating different kinds of cocktails. Vodka is often referred to as “tasteless” alcohol. It is not tasteless per se. However, the taste of vodka is highly pure compared to other spirits. It is distilled at least three times, and nothing is added that affects its alcohol taste. Gin and whiskey are distilled like vodka and contain no sugars. This innate purity makes these spirits, including a selection of renowned Russian vodka brands, ideal choices when it comes to creating delightful mixed drinks.

Ginger ale for rum and whiskey

Rum has an intense flavour that ginger ale can stand up to, making them great when mixed. Though rum is distilled and has no sugars, its taste is sweet. Ginger ale brings out the sweetness of the rum. When mixed with whiskey, ginger ale adds bubbliness and a little sweetness to its oak flavour.

Fruit juices for gin, rum, and vodka; chopped fruits in wine

Fruit juices are a great addition to spirits. Chopped fruits such as apples, oranges, cherries, and peaches are added to pinot noir in making sangria. Orange juice is a very popular choice as it adds a citrusy sweetness.

Conclusion

Drink mixers complement alcoholic spirits. They are a great way to complete a cocktail with the taste, texture, and flavour you desire. Adding mixers to wine or spirits can be your way of customizing a drink to your liking. You can shop for mixers whether you see a cocktail you want to make at home or feel adventurous and want to make your signature cocktail. 

There is undoubtedly a mixer out there that will suit any alcohol drinker’s preference. You must remember that drink mixers do not weaken the alcohol content in a cocktail. It merely spreads it. You should always remember to drink responsibly and never drive under the influence.

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RAKI WRIGHT
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