How to Mix E-Liquid: An Easy Beginner's Guide

Mixing your own e-liquid with flavourings lets UK vapers control exactly what goes into their vape, and cut costs compared to pre-mixed bottles. Getting it right comes down to understanding PG/VG ratios, flavour percentages, and steeping times. This guide walks through each step, from calculating ratios to storing your finished mix safely.

What are the Basics of E-liquids?

E-liquids are the flavour liquids that power every e-cigarette and vape tank, creating the vapour you inhale. Premium vape juices come in a wide range of flavours, nicotine strengths, and PG/VG ratios, catering to every type of vaper. Some of the UK's leading e-liquid brands include ElfLiq, Hangsen, Vampire Vape, and Kingston.

E-liquids have been perfectly worked with vaping kits to produce denser vapours. When the device becomes activated, it powers the coil. It heats the e-liquid and converts it into vapours. These vapours are then inhaled simply through the mouthpiece.

What are the Main Vape Juice Ingredients?

• Propylene Glycol: PG is an odourless, colourless substance which carries flavour and delivers a satisfying throat hit. It is a thin e-liquid component that offers a smoking-like sensation and is used to enhance flavour intensity.
• Vegetable Glycerin: VG is an acronym to PG. It is a thick, colourless substance that is derived from plants. It offers a denser production of vape clouds and provides a smooth inhale during vaping journey. Vegetable Glycerine is less harsh than PG.
• Nicotine: Another e-liquid component is nicotine, an addictive element which is typically extracted from tobacco leaves. This psychoactive substance interacts with nicotinic receptors in the brain and offers comfort while vaping.
• Flavours: It is the crucial element which makes or breaks your vaping adventure. Many well-known e-liquid brands offer tantalising and pleasant flavours to take your experience to the next level.

What are Shortfills?

A shortfill is a large-sized bottle of 0mg e-liquid that has been designed for leaving space for nicotine at the top. It allows you to add one or more 10ml “nic shots” (unflavored nicotine) to customise your desired nicotine strength. You can add nic shots according to your craving level.

Nicotine-free e-liquids are available with varied ingredient strengths. Most shortfills have a 70/30 VG/PG ratio for sub-ohm vaping. Some well-known shortfill brands in the UK include Doozy Vape Co, Ruthless and Ultimate Juice.

What are Nic Shots?

A nic shot is a bottle of nicotine, which is designed to be mixed with a shortfill. All nic shots are available with varied VG/PG strengths, including 70VG/30PG, 100% VG and 100%PG ratios and the desired nicotine strength.

Specifically, nic shots are not intended to be vaped without being added to juice. They are usually available in an 18mg/ml strength, which comes in a 10ml size bottle and is basically flavourless.

What is Nic Salt E-liquid?

Nicotine salt e-liquids in the UK are vape juices that use salt nicotine rather than the “freebase” form found in traditional liquids. Generally, nic salt is a lab-processed form of nicotine that delivers a smoother throat hit. Its higher strengths do not irritates or annoy you. These vape liquids are typically used in low-wattage devices like pod systems.

Nicotine salt e-liquids are particularly well-suited to those smoking switchers who require higher nicotine strengths to manage cravings comfortably. They are also a good option for vapers who prefer controlled, mouth-to-lung vaping with lower power devices.

Can You Mix Vape Juice?

Yes, you can mix multiple e-liquids to form an amazing e-liquid of your choice. Generally speaking, it is safe to make a blend of unique flavours and experiment with nicotine strengths. It's a simple process that requires no prior experience or complex setup. However, you only need to look at a few things while mixing vape juices, including flavour concentrations, base ingredients and their appropriate strengths.

Understanding Flavour Concentrations

It refers to highly concentrated extracts that offer a distinct, unique taste and the aroma of e-liquid flavours. When you are mixing the e-liquid, it is important to choose high-quality flavours from well-known brands. Of many fruits, desserts, and menthol flavours, you can select flavours of your choice to personalise your e-liquid profiles. For example, you can mix Tropical Fury Nic Salt E-Liquid by Riot Salt and Super Ice Menthol 100ml Shortfill E-Liquid.

Calculating the Correct Ratios

Before mixing vape juices, it is important to calculate the correct ratios of e-juice ingredients. These include flavours, Propylene Glycol (PG), Vegetable Glycerin (VG), and nicotine (if required).

In general, the most common ratio used in mix e-liquid is typically expressed as a percentage. Each ingredient is essential in making your desired vape liquids. For example, ratios of e-liquid ingredients are written as 70% VG, 30% PG, 5% flavour concentrate, and 3mg/ml nicotine.

Selecting the Base Ingredients

When mixing the e-liquid, it is important to choose the base vape juice ingredients. These include Propylene Glycol (PG), Vegetable Glycerin (VG) and nicotine. PG and VG serve as the base liquids that carry the flavour and produce vapour when heated. Another element is nicotine, the addictive component, which can be taken according to your craving level.

General Rule of Thumb

Before starting to mix e-liquid, the following are some important guidelines to follow:

• Focus on e-liquid blends of similar viscosity
• Use appropriate and suitable flavour profiles
• Apply practical and correct ingredients’ strengths

For instance, E-liquid flavours like caramel and apple, typically mix well together at a 50/50 ratio. Stronger flavours like cinnamon might be used less often, while flavours like Cherry Cola Nic Salt E-Liquid by Elux Firerose 5000, are best experimented with once you have more mixing experience.

Some E-liquid Flavours That Work Well Together

A benchmark principle is to try those vape liquid flavour combinations which you have already enjoyed. Some well-known e-liquid mixes include:

• Apple & Banana
• Apple & Blueberry
• Peanut Butter & Banana
• Lemon & Custard
• Coffee & Chocolate Cake
• Popcorn & Caramel
• Orange & Almond
• Vanilla & Pistachio
• Watermelon, Cucumber & Apple

How to Mix E-liquids

Step #1 — Choose Your Desired Flavour and Strength

Mixing premium shortfills and nic shots is not a daunting activity. Shortfills are available with the extra space to add nic shots; a 10ml space in 50ml bottles and a 20ml space in 100ml bottles. All you have to do is choose your desired shortfill flavour and the right strength of nicotine, depending on your craving level.

Step #2 — Combine Your Nic Shot and Shortfill

The shortfill e-liquid products come with a child-proof cap, but the e-liquid dripper must pop out and be easy to remove. Also, you can simply detach its whole cover. Once the cap is removed, you can then squeeze all the nic shot into the bottle of your chosen shortfill.

Step #3 — Fill Your Tank and Enjoy!

Firstly, it is good to make sure to give your hands a good wash and that the cap has been firmly replaced. Then you’re ready to give your shortfill a really good shake. This should be nice and vigorous so you can enjoy a smoother vaping experience and not come across any harsh flavours.

Testing and Adjusting

Once your e-liquid is mixed, don't vape it straight away. Give it time to steep first, letting the flavours settle and blend properly before you judge the result. The steeping period varies by recipe, so follow the guidance for the specific concentrates you've used. After steeping, do a proper taste test to check how the flavour and nicotine strength feel. If something's off, whether too strong or too faint, note it down and tweak the flavour concentrate ratio for your next mix.

Safety and Storage

DIY mixing means handling nicotine directly, so safety has to come first. Wear gloves and eye protection when working with concentrates, and keep everything, especially anything containing nicotine, well out of reach of children and pets. Once mixed, your e-liquid should be kept somewhere cool and away from direct light, which helps stop the flavours from breaking down over time.

Experimenting and Refining

One of the best parts of mixing your own e-liquid is the freedom to keep tweaking. UK vapers have access to a huge range of flavour concentrates, giving plenty of room to play with combinations, adjust strengths, and refine recipes until they hit the mark. Try pairing concentrates you wouldn't normally combine, or shift the ratios slightly between batches small changes often lead to blends you wouldn't have found otherwise.

Top-ranked Flavours of Shortfills You Must Try

Strawberry & Vanilla

If you are searching for tropical fruits flavour for making you comfortable in hot sunny days, then this is the ideal combination.

You can preferably mix a Strawberry 100ml Shortfill E-Liquid by Soothes, which offers an exciting delight of luscious strawberries, with the amazing taste of Vanilla Nic Salt E-Liquid by Pod Salt Core for a classic yet pleasurable flavour.

Pear, Peach & Elderflower

For a lovely delicate vape, you can enjoy a Raspberry Peach 100ml Shortfill E-Liquid by Razz Berry with required 10ml bottles of 18 mg/ml 50/50 Mango, Peach & Pineapple Nic Salt E-Liquid By Riot Squad Punx.

In this incredible blend, luscious raspberries, peaches and is beautifully balanced by mangoes and pineapples. Juicy peaches takes this to the next level by adding the delicious nectar of fresh peaches.

Watermelon, Passion Fruit & Mango Mojito

This is one of the most pleasant fruity mix that will make you feel delectable and satisfactory while offering hints of watermelons, passion fruits and mangoes.

Watermelon Mojito 50ml Shortfill E-Liquid is already positively bursting with flavour, but mixing in required amount of Guava, Passion Fruit & Pineapple Nic Salt E-Liquid. This flavour blend offers mouth-watering taste of ripe and delectable fruits within every puff.

Ready to Start Mixing Your Own E-Liquid

DIY e-liquid mixing gives UK vapers real control over their vaping experience, letting them build something genuinely their own rather than picking from what's already on the shelf. With the steps and guidance covered here, you should feel ready to start putting together blends that match exactly what you're after, whether that's chasing a specific flavour or simply cutting down on cost. Either way, mixing your own e-liquid opens up a genuinely enjoyable side of vaping worth exploring.