How to Make DIY E-Liquid: Best Recipes for Custom Vape Flavours

A thin, odourless liquid that carries flavour very well. Higher PG gives a stronger throat hit but can feel harsh if overused. 

A thicker, slightly sweet liquid that produces big, dense clouds. Too much VG can mute flavour, so balance is key. 

Available in strengths from 0mg to 100mg/ml, in freebase or nicotine salts. Always wear gloves and goggles when handling nicotine, as it’s potent and toxic in high doses. 

Food-grade concentrates (e.g., TFA, Capella) are specifically made for vaping. Usually used at 5–20% of total volume—too much can taste overpowering. Never use cooking extracts, as they often contain oils that can harm coils and produce unsafe byproducts when heated. 

Syringes & Droppers: For accurate measurement of PG, VG, nicotine, and flavour concentrates. 

Empty PET or Glass Bottles: Common sizes include 10ml, 30ml, and 60ml. Glass is best for long-term storage. 

Digital Scale: If you prefer mixing by weight, a scale with ±0.01g accuracy is ideal. 

Gloves & Goggles: Essential to prevent nicotine absorption through skin or eye exposure. 

Steeping Station: A small cup of warm water or an ultrasonic cleaner can speed up the steeping process. 

Nicotine Handling: Spills of high-strength nicotine can cause dizziness or nausea if they come into contact with the skin. 

Work Over Disposable Surface: Use a tray or newspaper to catch drips and make cleanup easy. 

Label Everything: Clearly write the mixing date, nicotine strength, PG/VG ratio, and flavour percentages on each bottle to prevent mistakes. 

Store Safely: Keep e-liquids in a dark, cool place, away from sunlight, children, and pets. 

Target Strength Formula (Volume Method): Decide your desired strength (e.g., 6mg/ml), multiply by total volume (e.g., 60 ml), and then divide by nicotine base strength (e.g., 100mg/ml). 

Example: (6mg/ml × 60ml) ÷ 100mg/ml = 3.6ml nicotine base needed for a 6mg/ml final strength in 60ml. 

70/30 VG/PG is a balanced ratio, giving good clouds and robust flavour. 

80/20 VG/PG for bigger clouds but slightly muted taste. 

50/50 VG/PG for maximum flavour intensity, ideal for mouth-to-lung (MTL) devices. 

Step 1: Sanitize your workspace and tools with warm water or 70% isopropyl alcohol. 

Step 2: Add the calculated nicotine base to your labelled bottle (e.g., 3.6ml for 6mg/ml in 60ml). 

Step 3: Measure and pour in PG and VG to match your desired ratio (e.g., 42ml VG + 9ml PG for a 70/30 ratio in 60ml). 

Step 4: Add flavour concentrates—start at about 10% total (6ml in 60ml). 

Step 5: Cap tightly and shake vigorously for 2–3 minutes until fully mixed. 

Step 6: Label the bottle with mixing date, nicotine strength, PG/VG ratio, and flavour percentages. 

Step 7: Steeping: Store in a dark, cool place to let flavours meld. 

Fruit Blends: 3–5 days. 

Custards & Creams: 7–10 days. 

Menthols & Mints: 1–2 days. 

For faster steeping, use a warm water bath (20–30 minutes, shaking occasionally) or an ultrasonic cleaner to reduce time by up to 70%. 

Separate Syringes for Each Ingredient: Prevents cross-contamination and keeps measurements precise. 

Record Every Change: Write down which brand and percentage of flavour you used, plus steep time, so you can replicate or adjust later. 

Taste-Test Frequently: Some flavours are ready after just 24 hours; others (like custards) need a full week. 

Keep a Control Blend: Have a small stash of a known favourite recipe to compare against new experiments. 

Ingredients (60ml): 

3.6ml Nicotine Base (100mg/ml) → 6mg/ml final strength. 

42ml VG + 9ml PG (70/30). 

6ml Mixed Berry Flavour Concentrate. 

1ml Sweetener (optional). 

Steps: Mix nicotine, VG, and PG, then add flavours, shake 3 minutes, label “Mixed Berry Bliss – 6mg – 70/30 – 10% flavour,” and steep 3–5 days. 

Ingredients (60ml): 

3.6ml Nicotine Base (100mg/ml) → 6mg/ml final strength. 

42ml VG + 9ml PG (70/30). 

5ml Vanilla Custard Concentrate. 

2ml French Vanilla. 

1ml Sweetener (optional). 

Steps: Combine nicotine, VG, and PG, then add custard and vanilla. Shake for 3 minutes, label “Vanilla Custard Dream – 6mg – 70/30 – 12% flavour,” and steep for 7–10 days for the richest taste. 

Ingredients (60ml): 

3.6ml Nicotine Base (100mg/ml) → 6mg/ml final strength. 

30ml VG + 18ml PG (60/40 for stronger cooling). 

4ml Peppermint Concentrate. 

2ml Menthol Crystals Solution. 

1ml Sweetener (optional). 

Steps: Mix nicotine, VG, and PG, then add peppermint and menthol. Shake 3 minutes, label “Frosty Mint Rush – 6mg – 60/40 – 10% flavour,” and steep 48 hours for best cool effect. 

Warm Bath Steeping: Place bottles in warm (not boiling) water for 20–30 minutes, shaking every 5 minutes. This speeds up flavour melding. 

Ultrasonic Cleaner: Cuts steep time by up to 70%, especially useful for busy mixers. 

Store in Darkness: Keep bottles in a dark box or cupboard at 15–20°C (59–68°F) to preserve flavour and nicotine stability. 

Troubleshooting Muted Flavour: Increase flavour concentrate by 1–2% or extend steep time; fruit blends need 3–5 days, and custards need a week+. 

Fixing Harsh Throat Hit: Lower PG by 5–10% or reduce nicotine strength by 1–3mg; always use USP-grade PG/VG. 

Boosting Cloud Production: Increase VG by 5–10% and use fresh coils at 0.5Ω–1.0Ω. 

Always wear nitrile gloves and goggles when measuring nicotine to avoid skin contact. 

Work over a disposable tray or paper towel to catch spills. 

Label every bottle with the mixing date, nicotine strength, PG/VG ratio, and flavour percentages to prevent confusion. 

Store e-liquids in dark glass bottles away from sunlight and at stable room temperature to preserve quality. 

Homemade e-liquids can stay fresh for up to 12 months but aim to be used within 6 months for the best flavour.