The Esquire Guide to Alcohol Mixers: 10 Best Bottles for Your Bar Cart

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A new wave of tonic is upon us. Don't get left behind, with these shortcuts to the perfect serve.

While we genuinely believe that creating a classic cocktail from scratch is a basic skill that every man should have in their armoury, sometimes — just sometimes mind — we want the effortless way out.

Enter the alcohol mixer. Whether you’ve got a bottle of gin, tequila or vodka gathering dust on your bar cart, we’ve found its perfect partner.

The new wave of mixers takes a flavour-led approach, combining natural ingredients (that are often low in calories), with just the right level of carbonation. Lemonade and coke just don’t cut it these days, so don’t embarrass yourself.

That said, leaning on these shortcuts doesn’t mean you should skimp on the glassware — a highball tends to be best for longer serves. Fresh garnishes and plenty of ice are all actively encouraged too; you’re only cheating yourself otherwise.

Our trusted panel of experts and consumers sipped their way through 22 of the most premium tonic waters and mixers on the market. Each was fully appraised for its complexity, length and finish, with in-depth discussions held on how best to serve it.

Once the scores were tallied, these were crowned the best for your bar cart in 2023.

Mixer partner of Soho House, the Double Dutch range is a certifiable party starter, making it easy to rustle up something you’d be proud to serve in seconds.

If Hendricks is your go-to gin of choice, it makes sense to complement the cucumber botanicals, with a tonic water that promises the same. Big, juicy watermelon is freshened up by vegetal cucumber, with only a hint of natural sweetness.

Pair it with: Hendricks Gin, £28.79

Hold up, we know this combination sounds... unorthodox, but hear us out. This is the ultimate mixer for rum. Bold claim, we know, but the blend of lime, mint, rose and cacao has been specifically designed to match rum, and is a total treat in a highball.

Pair it with: Two Drifters Pure White Rum, £37

Make your paloma pop with this expertly made, fragrant grapefruit tonic. It’s floral on the nose, with a natural lemonade-like sweetness that doesn’t linger. Partner it with a natural 100% agave for a fresh tasting, citrus-spiked serve.

Pair it with: El Rayo Plata Tequila, £37.95

While we’re partial to a good sipping tequila, sometimes a longer serve is the order of the day. For those moments, this bittersweet blood orange and elderflower creation adds a mature, carefully carbonated note to proceedings. So don’t be afraid to pair it with the best citrus-centric gin or tequila you have.

Pair it with: Clase Azul Reposado Tequila, £250

Sure, you could bash, muddle and mix a mojito from scratch, and if so, we salute you. But when you’re pressed for time, Belvoir’s lime and yuzu softie does the grafting for you, transforming white rum into a bold, lime-tinged treat for the senses. Fresh, sweet and intensely bitter, it’s the tangiest grown-up soda out there.

Pair it with: Camazotz Oaxacan Rum, £37.25

A proper, fiery ginger beer makes just about any spirit sing. Whether that’s with vodka in a classic Moscow mule, in a dark and stormy with an outstanding dark rum, or in a tequila-laced el diablo.

This one is organic, and Fairtrade, but most importantly, really bloody tasty. It’s got a proper root ginger power and rich sugar cane sweetness but builds to a fiery finish.

Pair it with: Portobello Road English Potato Vodka, £25.95

Got a flavoured gin lingering at the back of the bar cart? Embrace it head on, with a mixer that’s up to the challenge. Using Spanish clementines, Fever-Tree has created a fresh tonic that smells exactly like the burst of oil you get from an easy-peeler. High praise in our books.

Pair it with: Silent Pool Rare Citrus Gin, £35.99

Spiced rum and apple juice is already a thing — you’re basically recreating liquid apple pie — but here Cawston’s addition of elderflower lends the finished serve a fragrant, floral background, with a welcome light spritz.

Pair it with: The Salford Spiced Rum, £34.45

Alternatively, add a splash of Tanqueray, £19.50, and you’ve got yourself a slap-dash (but no less delicious), Hugo Spritz — just add mint.

Picture this: natural, fruity pomegranate sweetness, combined with earthy basil that tastes as though it’s just been freshly plucked for this very drink. You’ve got two ways to go here. First up, try pairing with a smoky mezcal for an enlivening long drink, or hit up your vermouth stash for an aperitivo with added depth.

Pair it with: Código 1530 Mezcal Artesanal, £58.74 or Still Wild Sweet Rosso Vermouth, £26.51

This lightly sparkling number promises a kick from cayenne pepper, but ultimately that buzz is overshadowed by fresh cucumber, sweet apple and mint. Still, we appreciated the subtle buzz, and thought it would work best topped up with tequila, for a not-quite Tommy’s margarita on the hoof.

Pair it with: Casa Dragones, £92.99

Callum is our Food and Drink Testing Manager and has been part of the world of professional catering for 10 years, from cheffing to food manufacturing. While working in manufacturing he specialised in bespoke product and menu development for several start-ups and well-known brands such as Wrap It Up! and HOP Vietnamese. He holds the WSET Level 2 in wine, a Level 3 in spirits and has a particular interest in agave spirits.

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