If you have two bottles of e-liquid and think they might taste good together, you may wonder whether you can simply mix them.
In general, finished e-liquids can be mixed together, but the result is not just a new flavour. Mixing two liquids can also change the nicotine strength and PG/VG ratio, which may affect how the liquid tastes and how well it works with your device.
So before combining two bottles, there are three main things worth checking: flavour, nicotine strength and PG/VG ratio.
What Happens to the Flavour?
The most obvious change is the flavour.
When two finished e-liquids are mixed, their flavour profiles combine. Sometimes this works really well. Other times, the result can taste muddled or completely different from what you expected.
Flavours from similar or complementary families are usually easier to experiment with. For example:
- Blackcurrant + Raspberry
- Strawberry + Peach
- Mango + Pineapple
- Cherry + Menthol
- Apple + Menthol
- Vanilla + Tobacco
- Strawberry Cheesecake + Vanilla Custard
That doesn’t mean you can’t experiment with other combinations. Taste is subjective, and what works for one person might not work for another.
The important thing is to start small. Instead of mixing two entire bottles, make a small 2–3ml test first. If you don’t like it, you haven’t wasted much e-liquid.
Start With One Dominant Flavour
You don’t necessarily have to mix your liquids 50/50.
If you want one flavour to remain dominant, try something like 70% of your main flavour and 30% of the second flavour.
For example, if you enjoy strawberry but want a little cooling effect, you could start with mostly strawberry and add a smaller amount of menthol.
This gives you more control over the final taste.
It’s also worth keeping things simple. Two flavours are usually much easier to balance than four or five. Adding too many different profiles can eventually create a flavour where nothing really stands out.
Does the Mix Need to Steep?
Not necessarily.
Finished e-liquids have already been mixed and manufactured, so you’re not starting from raw flavour concentrates.
After combining them, close the bottle and shake it thoroughly for around 30 seconds. You can then try the mixture and see how it tastes.
You may also choose to let it rest for a while before trying it again. This can give the combined liquid time to settle after mixing, particularly if the flavours are quite different.
But there’s no need to assume every finished-liquid mixture needs days or weeks of steeping.
What Happens to the Nicotine Strength?
This is where a little maths becomes useful.
When you combine e-liquids with different nicotine strengths, the final strength depends on how much of each liquid you use.
For example, if you mix equal amounts of:
6mg/ml + 0mg/ml = approximately 3mg/ml
And if you mix equal amounts of:
6mg/ml + 12mg/ml = approximately 9mg/ml
That’s because you’re combining equal volumes.
If the amounts aren’t equal, you need to calculate the result based on the quantity of each liquid.
A simple formula is:
Final nicotine strength = (Volume 1 × Strength 1 + Volume 2 × Strength 2) ÷ Total volume
For example, imagine you mix:
7ml of 6mg/ml + 3ml of 12mg/ml
The calculation would be:
(7 × 6) + (3 × 12) = 78mg of nicotine
You now have 10ml in total:
78 ÷ 10 = 7.8mg/ml
So the finished mixture would be approximately 7.8mg/ml.
An Easier Option: Match the Nicotine Strength
If you don’t want to calculate anything, the easiest approach is to mix liquids with the same nicotine strength.
Mixing a 10mg/ml liquid with another 10mg/ml liquid doesn’t change the nicotine concentration simply because you’ve combined the flavours.
You still have a 10mg/ml mixture.
What About Nic Salts and Freebase?
It’s simpler to stick with the same nicotine type when experimenting with finished e-liquids.
Nicotine salt and freebase liquids can be formulated to provide different vaping experiences, including differences in throat sensation and typical device use.
Rather than trying to balance two different formulations, matching nic salt with nic salt or freebase with freebase makes the result easier to predict.
What Happens to the PG/VG Ratio?
The same principle applies to PG and VG.
If both bottles are 50VG/50PG, your finished mixture remains 50/50.
But if you combine liquids with different ratios, the final ratio changes.
For example, equal amounts of:
50VG/50PG + 70VG/30PG
would produce approximately:
60VG/40PG
This matters because PG and VG affect the characteristics of the liquid.
Generally, higher-VG liquids are thicker, while higher-PG liquids are thinner. Changing that balance can therefore affect how the liquid behaves in your device.
Why Does PG/VG Ratio Matter for Your Vape?
Different devices and coils are designed to work with different types of e-liquid.
A small, lower-powered pod kit may commonly be paired with a relatively thin 50/50 e-liquid. A higher-powered sub-ohm device may be designed for thicker, higher-VG liquids such as 70VG/30PG.
If you start combining liquids with very different ratios, you can end up with something your coil wasn’t intended for.
A liquid that’s too thick may struggle to wick quickly enough in some smaller coils. A liquid that’s too thin for a particular setup may behave differently and potentially contribute to leaking or flooding.
The safest approach is simple:
Check the recommended e-liquid or PG/VG range for your particular device and coil before mixing.
If you’re unsure, mixing liquids that already have the same PG/VG ratio makes things much easier.
A Simple Example
Imagine you have:
10ml Strawberry — 10mg nic salt — 50VG/50PG
and:
10ml Menthol — 10mg nic salt — 50VG/50PG
If you combine equal amounts, you haven’t changed the nicotine strength or PG/VG ratio.
Your mixture remains approximately:
10mg/ml nicotine
50VG/50PG
The main thing you’ve changed is the flavour.
Now imagine your second bottle was instead:
0mg — 70VG/30PG
Your final mixture would no longer have the same nicotine strength or VG/PG ratio as the original strawberry liquid.
That’s why checking the labels first is important.
How to Mix Finished E-Liquids
You don’t need complicated equipment if you’re simply experimenting with two ready-made liquids.
Use a clean, empty e-liquid bottle and start with a small amount.
For example, you could make a 3ml test:
2ml Strawberry + 1ml Menthol
Close the bottle securely and shake it thoroughly for around 30 seconds.
Try the mixture before making a larger batch. If you like it, write down the proportions so you can recreate it later.
It’s better to do this in a separate bottle rather than pouring everything directly into your vape tank or pod. A separate bottle makes the quantities easier to control and gives you the opportunity to adjust the mixture before filling your device.
What Should You Avoid?
A little experimentation is fine, but there are some sensible boundaries.
Only mix products that are actually manufactured as e-liquids for vaping. Don’t add household liquids, essential oils, syrups or other substances to an e-liquid.
You should also avoid using a bottle that appears damaged, contaminated or significantly past the manufacturer’s stated date.
And don’t assume steeping can rescue a liquid that has deteriorated. Steeping and shelf life are two different things.
When experimenting with flavours, starting with two compatible profiles is usually much easier than mixing several liquids at once.
Easy Flavour Combinations to Try
If you’re new to mixing finished flavours, familiar combinations are a good place to start.
Fruit + Fruit: Blackcurrant & Raspberry, Strawberry & Peach, Mango & Pineapple.
Fruit + Cooling: Cherry & Menthol, Apple & Menthol, Berry & Menthol.
Sweet & Creamy: Banoffee & Vanilla, Strawberry Cheesecake & Vanilla Custard.
Tobacco: Tobacco & Vanilla can add a sweeter note to a tobacco-style flavour.
These are only starting points. Flavour preference is personal, so experiment with small amounts until you find a balance you enjoy.
Quick Checklist Before Mixing
Before combining two finished e-liquids, check:
- Flavour: Are the profiles likely to complement each other?
- Nicotine strength: Are both bottles the same mg/ml? If not, calculate the final strength.
- Nicotine type: Keeping nic salt with nic salt and freebase with freebase makes the result more predictable.
- PG/VG ratio: Will the final ratio still suit your device and coil?
- Condition: Are both liquids within their stated dates and in normal condition?
- Quantity: Test 2–3ml before making a full bottle.
Final Thoughts
Yes, you can mix different finished e-liquid flavours together, and experimenting with combinations can create a flavour that suits your preferences better.
The easiest mixes are also the most predictable: similar flavour families, the same nicotine strength, the same nicotine type and the same PG/VG ratio.
If the strengths or ratios are different, don’t guess. Work out what the final mixture will contain and make sure it’s suitable for your device.
Most importantly, start small. A 2–3ml test is enough to find out whether strawberry and menthol are a great combination—or one you never want to taste again.
For more practical e-liquid and vaping guides, visit Nemo Homes.
Vaping products containing nicotine are intended for adults and are not risk-free. Nicotine is addictive.