The Ultimate Guide to Simple Vape Juice Recipes

Making your own vape juice lets you access a multitude of custom flavours whilst also saving you money. Whether you fancy a refreshing fruit blend or a rich dessert flavour, creating DIY e-liquid at home is easier than you might think. This guide walks you through tested recipes, essential equipment, and the mixing process to get you started.

Beginner-Friendly Vape Juice Recipes

Starting with proven recipes helps you understand how flavours work together before creating your own blends. Here are five mixes that taste great and are simple to make:

1. Fruit Recipe: Tropical Citrus Ice

A refreshing and simple tropical blend that’s perfect for a warm day. The sharp citrus is balanced by a sweet, smooth coconut finish with a touch of coolness.

• Flavour Concentrate: Just Juice Ice Citron & Coconut at 15%
• Target PG/VG Ratio: 30% PG / 70% VG
• Target Nicotine Strength: 3mg/mL
• Steeping Time: 3-5 days.
• To make a 60ml bottle at 3mg:
  • Nicotine: You will need 1 x 10ml (18mg) Nicotine Shot.
  • This provides 10ml of your final volume.

2. Dessert Recipe: Salted Caramel Treat

A rich and decadent dessert flavour. This recipe delivers the warm, gooey taste of cookie dough perfectly complemented by a sweet and savoury salted caramel.

• Flavour Concentrate: Joe’s Juice Cookie Dough Salted Caramel at 18%
• Target PG/VG Ratio: 30% PG / 70% VG
• Target Nicotine Strength: 6mg/mL
• Steeping Time: 2-3 weeks. Steeping is crucial for the bakery and caramel notes to fully develop.
• To make a 60ml bottle at 6mg:
  • Nicotine: You will need 2 x 10ml (18mg) Nicotine Shots.
  • This provides 20ml of your final volume.

3. Menthol Recipe: Double Mint Blast

For those who love a strong, icy vape. This mix combines a sharp peppermint with a powerful menthol blast for a crisp, clean, and intensely cool experience.

• Flavour Concentrates:
  • Vampire Vape Ice Menthol: 8%
  • Just DIY Peppermint: 4%
  • (Total Flavour: 12%)
• Target PG/VG Ratio: 50% PG / 50% VG
• Target Nicotine Strength: 6mg/mL
• Steeping Time: 1-3 days.
• To make a 60ml bottle at 6mg:
  • Nicotine: You will need 2 x 10ml (18mg) Nicotine Shots.
  • This provides 20ml of your final volume.

4. Candy Recipe: The Blue Crystal

Based on a legendary flavour profile, this recipe is a must-try. It’s a complex and secret blend of fruit, aniseed, and a cooling sensation that has become a candy-like favourite for many vapers.

• Flavour Concentrate: Vampire Vape Heisenberg at 15%
• Target PG/VG Ratio: 40% PG / 60% VG
• Target Nicotine Strength: 3mg/mL
• Steeping Time: 5-7 days
• To make a 60ml bottle at 3mg:
  • Nicotine: You will need 1 x 10ml (18mg) Nicotine Shot.
  • This provides 10ml of your final volume.

5. Beverage Recipe: Morning Coffee Break

Your favourite coffee shop beverage in a vape. This recipe provides the warm, comforting taste of a freshly baked coffee cake, perfect for vaping alongside your morning cup of joe.

• Flavour Concentrate: Vampire Vape Coffee Cake at 12%
• Target PG/VG Ratio: 30% PG / 70% VG
• Target Nicotine Strength: 3mg/mL
• Steeping Time: 2 weeks
• To make a 60ml bottle at 3mg:
  • Nicotine: You will need 1 x 10ml (18mg) Nicotine Shot.
  • This provides 10ml of your final volume.

Your DIY E-Liquid Shopping List: Ingredients & Tools

Before mixing your first batch, gather these essential supplies:

Base Liquids: 

• Propylene Glycol (PG) – Carries flavour and provides throat hit 
• Vegetable Glycerin (VG) – Creates thick vapour clouds

50PG/50VG will produce a thin e-liquid with minimal vapour, 70VG+ will instead produce a thicker direct-to-lung vape juice that requires a sub-ohm device to use.

Flavour Concentrates: 

• Use food-grade flavourings designed specifically for vaping 
• Popular brands include Vampire Vape, Joe’s Juice, and Just DIY
• Only use vape flavour concentrates; essential oils and other compounds can be extremely unsafe to inhale

Liquid Nicotine (Optional): 

• Available pre-diluted in PG or VG base 
• Due to TPD restrictions, ‘nicotine shots’ can only be sold in 10ml bottles with a maximum strength of 20mg. Keep in mind that every shot you use will make up a significant portion of your overall e-liquid.

Essential Tools: 

• Digital scale – Accurate to 0.01g for precise measurements 
• Graduated syringes – 1ml, 5ml, and 10ml sizes 
• Empty bottles – 30ml or 60ml “unicorn” bottles work best 
• Nitrile gloves – Protect hands from nicotine exposure 
• Labels – Track recipes and mixing dates

How to Mix E-Liquid: A 5-Step Guide

Follow this straightforward process for consistent results:

1. Calculate Your Recipe. Use a free e-liquid calculator (such as the MIST E-Liquid Calculator) to determine exact weights in grams. Input your desired nicotine strength, PG/VG ratio, and batch size.
2. Add Nicotine & Flavours. Place your empty bottle on the scale and press tare. Add nicotine first (if using), then each flavour concentrate according to your calculated weights/measurements.
3. Add Base Liquids. Tare the scale again. Pour in PG first, then VG until you reach the final weight. VG is thicker, so pour slowly for accuracy.
4. Shake Vigorously. Cap the bottle tightly. Shake hard for at least one minute until bubbles form throughout the liquid. This initial mixing is crucial.
5. Label and Steep. Write the recipe name, nicotine strength, PG/VG ratio, and date mixed. Store in a cool, dark cupboard for steeping.

More detailed step-by-step instructions are available in our How to Make Vape Juice guide!

Safety Rules for Making Homemade Vape Flavours

DIY mixing is safe when you follow basic precautions:

• Always Wear Nitrile Gloves – Even small nicotine spills can cause dizziness or nausea through skin contact 

• Work in a Clean Space – Mix on a stable surface away from children, pets, and food preparation areas 

• Label Everything Clearly – Mark all bottles with contents and strength to prevent dangerous mix-ups 

• Store Nicotine Safely – Keep in a locked container, away from light and heat 

• Dispose of Waste Properly – Rinse equipment thoroughly and dispose of nicotine-contaminated materials responsibly

Steeping 101: How to Improve Your E-Liquid Flavour

Fresh e-liquid often tastes sharp or unbalanced, particularly at high nicotine strengths. Steeping transforms harsh mixes into smooth, developed flavours.

• What is Steeping? Steeping allows flavour molecules to bond with the base liquids. Think of it like ageing wine – time improves the taste.

• Simple Steeping Method: Store sealed bottles in a dark cupboard at room temperature. Give each bottle a quick shake daily to keep ingredients mixed.

Recommended Steep Times

• Fruit flavours: 2-3 days minimum
• Bakery/dessert flavours: 1-2 weeks
• Tobacco flavours: 2-4 weeks
• Complex cream blends: 3-4 weeks

• Speed Steeping Tips: For faster results, try a warm water bath (not hot) for 30 minutes, or leave bottles uncapped for 12 hours to let alcohol notes evaporate.

Something to keep in mind: E-juice can crack tanks.

Conclusion

Creating your own vape juice puts you in control of flavour, strength and cost. Give these tested e-liquid recipes a try before experimenting with your own combinations. Remember to handle ingredients safely, measure precisely, and give your creations time to steep. With practice, you’ll develop signature blends that rival any shop-bought juice.