Whisky Mixers That Don’t Bully the Spirit

Bullying should be left to petulant snotty faced children whose parents are ‘’going through something’’ and world leaders who have active twitter accounts. When it comes to drinks, and especially whiskey, mixing should be left to those with a gentle touch and an excellent taste in mixers. 

Now, we can’t help you with sensual touch, but we can help you choose an elevated mixer for your whiskey that won’t leave it bruised, battered and traumatised by poor mixing decisions. 

The trick is - keep it simple: soda water lifts, ginger beer warms, or  citrus sharpens, pick your direction and the rest is simple.

StrangeLove mixers love whiskey, and know how to treat it right. Elevated and nuanced, these are premium mixers that are Australian made, highly carbonated, and free from overpowering sugars or sweeteners.. Check out the mixer range for whiskey pairings such as Dry Ginger Ale, Bitter Lemon or crisp and clean premium Soda Water. If you’re looking for something on the lighter side, the lower in sugar StrangeLove Lo-Cal Soda collection covers everything from Double Ginger Beer Lo-Cal Soda to Lemon Squash Lo-Cal Soda.

You don’t need to drown whiskey. You just need to find something to compliment it.

The 5 Whisky Mixer Rules (So You Taste the Whisky First)

1. Dry beats sweet
Sugar-coating is going to overpower the whisky. It's always better to choose mixers that are lower in sugar (while avoiding sweeteners), and are considered ‘dry’ rather than ‘sweet’. 

2. Carbonation is structure
A good whisky drink needs movement. All you need is good carbonation. Our highly carbonated Lo-Cal sodas and mixers carry aromas, keep the palate sharp, and stops everything from sitting too heavy.

3. Bitterness sharpens flavour
It’s the difference between something tasting “fine” and something tasting considered. That slightly sour edge of a lemon makes everything feel sharper.

4. Spice adds warmth, not syrup
Ginger should sit patiently next to the whisky, not fight for its attention. You’re matching warmth, not overpowering the flavour.

5. Lengthen, don’t drown
Highballs are the hero when it comes to whiskey mixing.

The StrangeLove Whisky Line-Up (What To Reach For First)

You don’t need a full bar setup, just a few simple tools to get your drink from fridge, to mouth.

Soda Water

A classic pairing that works because it’s clean and highly carbonated with no aspirations to dominate the glass.. It lifts the whisky, keeps it sharp, and slightly softens any aggressive notes.

Ginger Beer or Ginger Ale

For when you want something nuanced, spiced and warming. 

Bitter Lemon or Lemon Squash

A sharp, citrus hit that lengthens and compliments. Citrus, it just works with everything.

Lo-Cal range

Ruining a good bottle of whiskey with mixers that don’t work is easy. Pairing with Lo-Cal Soda, which are formulated with delicate oils, juices and extracts rather than a tonne of sugars, is easy. We recommend Lemon Squash Lo-Cal Soda or Double Ginger Beer Lo-Cal Soda for whiskey mixing. 

Premium Mixers

Dry Ginger Ale, with applewood smoked water, burnt sugar and ginger extracts was simply made for whiskey mixing. Otherwise, if a strong citrus hit is more your thing, try Bitter Lemon with Calamansi Lemon, bitter orange and cinchona.

Mixed Packs

They all sound too good to be true? Try a mixed pack and choose your own whisky mixing adventure.

6 Whisky Serves That Let the Spirit Speak

Now you have the mixers, now it’s time to mix.

The Classic Highball (Clean + Structured)

Glass
Highball

Build
Fill with ice
30–45ml quality whisky.
Top with StrangeLove Soda Water.
Give it one gentle stir.

Pro tip
If your soda goes flat in under a minute, you’re obviously not using StrangeLove. How dare you. 

Ginger Snap (Spicey, Not Sugary)

Glass
Highball

Build
Ice → whisky → StrangeLove Ginger Beer.
Optional squeeze of fresh lime if you want to sharpen it.

Pro tip
Using sub-par mixers for this concoction  is when you accidentally make something that tastes like it belongs at a music festival at 2pm. You’re better than that (these days).

Sharp Citrus Edge

Glass
Highball

Build
Ice → whisky → StrangeLove Bitter Lemon.
Finish with a lemon peel, adding oils over the surface.

Pro tip
Garnishing with a twist not only makes you look much fancier than you actually are, it adds oils, cohesion and aromatics. Fancy that.

Light Touch Lemon

Glass
Highball

Build
Ice → whisky → StrangeLove Lemon Squash Lo-Cal Soda.
Keep it simple. Let it land clean with a twist of lemon

Pro tip
Using Lo-Cal Soda produces a lighter, cleaner and more refreshing drink vs. using a traditional whisky mixer. Warning: This makes them dangerously more-ish.

Peel Over Everything

Glass
Highball

Build
Ice → whisky → StrangeLove Soda Water.
Then go heavy on a citrus peel. Twist it properly, drop it in.

Pro tip
Being heavy handed with the garnish on this one will actually make a big difference to the flavour profile, rather than just a traditional whiskey and soda mix.

Ginger Ninja

Glass
Rocks

Build
Large ice cube.
Pour whisky over.
Top with StrangeLove Dry Ginger Ale

Pro tip
Using StrangeLove Dry Ginger Ale will not only improve your whisky drinks by at least 1000%, it will also gain the respect of your whiskey guzzling grandfather who considers you an embarrassment to the family name..

Hosting With Whisky: The “Highball Bar” Setup

You don’t need a full whiskey cellar.  Just an arsenal of whisky’s and a few basics to suit the mood.

• Something approachable, like Jameson

• Something smokier or peaty, like Laphroaig

• Citrus

• Ice (see how to make elevated, clear ice here)

• StrangeLove Mixers

Most people will sort themselves out. Or at least think they have.

Mixed Packs keep things moving without turning it into a DIY cocktail class.

The Final Pour: Build Your Whisky Mixer Kit With StrangeLove

Good whisky doesn’t need fixing.
It just needs considered and premium mixing options.

Soda Water for lift.
Ginger Beer for warmth.
Bitter Lemon for a strong citrus hit.

If you’re ready to become the master of your whisky mixing domain, start adding to cart here.