Question 1

What mixers do I need to start making mocktails at home?

Accepted Answer

A good tonic water, a ginger beer, bitters, and a simple syrup or grenadine cover most classic cocktail templates and let you build a Gin & Tonic, Mule, Old Fashioned, or Shirley Temple style drink without alcohol.

Question 2

Are cocktail bitters alcoholic?

Accepted Answer

Traditional bitters are alcohol-based extracts and technically contain alcohol, though the amount used per drink is negligible; brands like Hella Cocktail Co. are made this way, so check labels if you need a strictly alcohol-free option.

Question 3

Can I use regular tonic water with non-alcoholic gin?

Accepted Answer

Yes, any of these mixers work with either alcoholic or non-alcoholic spirits, since they're built around flavor and carbonation rather than alcohol content.

Question 4

What's the difference between a syrup and a bitters?

Accepted Answer

Syrups like grenadine and simple syrup add sweetness and body in larger pours, while bitters are concentrated flavoring agents used in small drops to add complexity without meaningfully changing sweetness.

The 10 Best Cocktail & Mocktail Mixers of 2026

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