How do you create your own original mix?

[AngeNZ]

Just interested in this, I know I have my mad scientist method - but I'd love to hear how everyone who makes their own mixes, goes about this.

I'm also hoping it will help those new to DIY to see the different processes involved.

My Method:

Starting with a basic idea of what I want, I narrow down what flavours will give me that taste. I use ELR to read the notes on flavours I already have, and on flavours I don't have.

For example: CaraMoo - a mix I made that I wanted to taste like a caramel sauce drizzled over a rich ice cream sundae. (and thank you @ShowMeTwice for inspiring this recipe )

To find the Caramel I'd need - I read through the ELR flavour notes, and settled on Purilum Creamy Caramel

The ice cream part was easy, I just used my standard favourite ice cream flavour Capella Vanilla Bean Ice Cream.

To get the sundae, I settled on Capella whipped cream, Wonder Flavors Tahitian Vanilla Cream, and TFA Vanilla Swirl.

I thought this may be too much cream, but I made a test 10ml just to try it.

The percentages I used, again came from ELR flavour notes, along with previous experience of what to use.

I mixed it all together in my "lab" and got a huge surprise when it tasted perfect, first time around. It usually takes trial and error to get the percentages right

The result:

CaraMoo

3% Creamy Caramel (PUR)
4% Vanilla Bean Ice Cream (CAP)
2% Vanilla Whipped Cream (CAP)
2% Vanilla Swirl (TFA)
1.5% Tahitian Vanilla Cream (WF)
0.5% Super Sweet (CAP) (Optional)

Please share your creation process

 

[icepickmaker84]

I just take a guess. I wanted to make an elephant ear juice so I did 3% fried dough, 3% sugar cookie, and 7% cinnamon sugar and it came out pretty good.

 

[Fredman1]

I started out the scientist way but lately I just throw it together the rough an tumble way.
I only do tobacco and been trying for 3years to get something I actually can like. I found it a month or so ago. Plain and simple but it works for me.

I dump in all of the above together with the nicotine (all PG base). I then eyeball and add some more PG (if needed) until the container is 30% full. Then I fill with the VG. That gives me my 70/30 PG/VG.
Got my updated version planned and waiting on the concentrates. I'm in mixing heaven these days. I at last found me an ADV

 

[bombastinator]

Every mix I make is original. Whether I want it to be or not.

 

[ShowMeTwice]

Just interested in this, I know I have my mad scientist method - but I'd love to hear how everyone who makes their own mixes, goes about this.

I'm also hoping it will help those new to DIY to see the different processes involved.

View attachment 851293
My Method:

Starting with a basic idea of what I want, I narrow down what flavours will give me that taste. I use ELR to read the notes on flavours I already have, and on flavours I don't have.

For example: CaraMoo - a mix I made that I wanted to taste like a caramel sauce drizzled over a rich ice cream sundae. (and thank you @ShowMeTwice for inspiring this recipe )

To find the Caramel I'd need - I read through the ELR flavour notes, and settled on Purilum Creamy Caramel

The ice cream part was easy, I just used my standard favourite ice cream flavour Capella Vanilla Bean Ice Cream.

To get the sundae, I settled on Capella whipped cream, Wonder Flavors Tahitian Vanilla Cream, and TFA Vanilla Swirl.

I thought this may be too much cream, but I made a test 10ml just to try it.

The percentages I used, again came from ELR flavour notes, along with previous experience of what to use.

I mixed it all together in my "lab" and got a huge surprise when it tasted perfect, first time around. It usually takes trial and error to get the percentages right

The result:

CaraMoo

3% Creamy Caramel (PUR)
4% Vanilla Bean Ice Cream (CAP)
2% Vanilla Whipped Cream (CAP)
2% Vanilla Swirl (TFA)
1.5% Tahitian Vanilla Cream (WF)
0.5% Super Sweet (CAP) (Optional)

Please share your creation process

Your CaraMoo looks very awesome Ange!!! Way to go!!!

When you mentioned "sundae" my mind immediately went to wanting a sundae, now!!!
Bummer, I don't have any ice cream in the house right now.

So yeah, I'm still working on my caramel ice cream. I like INW Caramel. Once I backed that off it's a very tasty caramel ice cream. Still tweaking but soon.

When I get that done I'm going to ditch the caramel and add some chocolate and nuts. Like the kind of sundaes I get around here with vanilla ice cream, chocolate topping + nuts.

My wife had a gazillion bakery/candy/cooking recipe books that I use for DIY ideas. She got many from her Mom. Good for ideas. I also head to baking, juicing, smoothie and other foodie recipe web sites for ideas. Those are my main idea sources.

Once I find something I just jump in and go for it. I have an idea in mind for where I want to start with each flavor. Then it's mix, test, tweak. Until I'm happy. I do think DIY is very much like baking.

My insanely crazy DIY lab is my kitchen table!!!

 

[ShowMeTwice]

I started out the scientist way but lately I just throw it together the rough an tumble way.
I only do tobacco and been trying for 3years to get something I actually can like. I found it a month or so ago. Plain and simple but it works for me.
View attachment 851315
I dump in all of the above together with the nicotine (all PG base). I then eyeball and add some more PG (if needed) until the container is 30% full. Then I fill with the VG. That gives me my 70/30 PG/VG.
Got my updated version planned and waiting on the concentrates. I'm in mixing heaven these days. I at last found me an ADV
View attachment 851317

I love FW Butterscotch Ripple. It's awesome! I use it along with a couple other butterscotch flavors in my butterscotch vanilla cream recipe. Isn't it great when you make something you really dig?

 

[smacuser]

Use maraschino cherry sparingly.

 

[wetclay]

To get a feel for a flavor concentrate:
I smell it.
Taste a tiny drop.
On a dripper, I drip one drop of the concentrate and few drops of PG/VG. Not very scientific, but gives an idea how a concentrate will taste in a mix.

 

[Zaryk]

I come up with an idea for a flavor.

I go into my flavor concentrate stash.

I used to taste drops of the concentrate to get a feel for how potent each flavor is, but now I know about how strong each of my flavors are.

I mix a test batch.

Taste and adjust accordingly.

Steep.

Taste and adjust accordingly.

Mix larger quantities, steep, and enjoy.

 

[ShowMeTwice]

Use maraschino cherry sparingly.

But of course!

Is any decent sundae complete without one?

I still want a sundae but with a temp of -6°F I won't be getting any today.

 

[barkfunklerbunk]

For original mixes I usually check reviews of flavors on the vendor website, see what % they use, ask around here on ECF what people use for %, and also look at ELR and multiple peoples recipes and what % they use in their recipes. Then do an average of those %s and go for it. Or use my past experience, come up with some %s that I feel will work and go for it. If it doesn't quite come out the way I intend, I adjust.

 

[vaper1960]

Sometimes I discover flavors that mix well together while doing taste tests. After trying them one by one in a RDA, I put some in my tank and see how it vapes, then dump the tank and try another flavor. During the transition, I can taste both flavors and see how they work together. All the small amounts I dump into a container become my "mutt mix"... sometimes it's great but other times it just gets tossed out. One of the keepers was a bakery and several fruits... now a regular recipe.

 

[CagedSpam]

Lazy mixer here. I have been sticking with 2 or 3 flavor mixes, so flavor combos mostly.

I have been using a recipe template that allows for 4% or so total flavor. I just try and keep notes on what I have tried.

Currently vaping 1.5% Cooling Agent & 2% FA Gelato Vaniglia, Bueno!

 

[AngeNZ]

I love how varied the processes we all use are.

I started out the scientist way but lately I just throw it together the rough an tumble way.
I only do tobacco and been trying for 3years to get something I actually can like. I found it a month or so ago. Plain and simple but it works for me.
View attachment 851315
I dump in all of the above together with the nicotine (all PG base). I then eyeball and add some more PG (if needed) until the container is 30% full. Then I fill with the VG. That gives me my 70/30 PG/VG.
Got my updated version planned and waiting on the concentrates. I'm in mixing heaven these days. I at last found me an ADV
View attachment 851317

I hope you did the whole EUREKA thing when you figured out this mix And I'm also so glad you have finally figured out an ADV

 

[sonicbomb]

Luck, intuition etc.
The key is to take accurate notes so you can reproduce it.

 

[bask]

View attachment 851315

Nice handwriting!

 

[ppeeble]

A little splash of this, a drop or two of that. After a while you get a feel for what flavours work together.
I am asked to make liquids for friends and i basically smell and taste as i go, adding whatever's needed to get a nice rounded flavour. And as a last resort, tiny amounts of lemon, sweetener and/or grapfruit will work with a lot more flavours than you'd think.
My regular tobacco flavour is just a mix of Hangsen RY1 & RY2 at 20/80.