Hey vape fam! BOB here from VAPORESSO—let’s be real: Picking your first DIY e-juice flavor feels like standing in a shop with 50 toppings, panicking “Did I just order matcha + pickle?!” 
. DIY is awesome (cheaper! customizable!), but mess up the flavor, and you’ll be stuck with a bottle of “what was I thinking?” juice. Fear not—this guide turns you from a DIY newbie to a flavor pro, no fancy skills needed. Let’s dive in!
Rule 1: Start With “Flavors You Already Love” (No Guesswork!) 
The biggest mistake newbies make? Chasing “trendy” flavors they’ve never tasted (looking at you, “Salted Caramel Licorice” 
). Instead, steal from your pantry or fridge—pick flavors you already crave every day. It’s like making a vape version of your go-to snack:
- Fruit lovers: If you grab mango smoothies weekly, start with a single “Fresh Mango” flavor concentrate. Skip weird blends (mango + wasabi? No.)—keep it simple, and you’ll get that “oh, this tastes like my favorite fruit!” hit.
- Coffee addicts: If you down iced lattes daily, go for a “Light Roast Coffee” base. Add a tiny splash of “Vanilla Cream” (1-2% max!) if you want sweetness—too much, and it’ll taste like a vanilla candle.
- Sweet tooths: Cookie dough, vanilla ice cream, or honey—stick to the treats you’d eat plain. A “Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough” DIY juice will never let you down (pro tip: pair with 5% VG for that creamy mouthfeel
).
I tested this with my cousin (total DIY newbie): She loves strawberry yogurt, so we mixed “Strawberry” (8%) + “Plain Yogurt” (2%)—she’s been using it for a month, no complaints. Win!
Rule 2: Avoid “Flavor Chaos” (Simple = Successful) 
Ever had a salad with 10 dressings? It’s a mess. Same with DIY e-juice: More than 2-3 flavors = disaster for beginners. Let’s break it down:
- Good first combo: 1 main flavor + 1 subtle add-on (e.g., “Peach” + “Lemon” for a tangy twist, “Coconut” + “Pineapple” for a tropical vibe
). - Bad first combo: “Blueberry + Mint + Chocolate + Cinnamon”—this is “flavor soup,” and it’ll taste like someone dumped a candy store in a bottle.
Stick to “1 star, 1 sidekick.” Once you nail that, you can graduate to 3-flavor mixes (like “Apple + Cinnamon + Brown Sugar” for fall 
).
Rule 3: Don’t Forget Nicotine & VG/PG (They Make or Break Taste!) 
Flavor isn’t just about concentrates—nicotine and VG/PG ratio change how it hits:
- Nicotine: Newbies, start low! 3-6mg is perfect—higher (12mg+) will make harsh hits mask your flavor (like putting hot sauce on ice cream). Trust me, I’ve seen a newbie use 24mg with “Vanilla” juice—they coughed so hard, they spilled the bottle.
- VG/PG: VG = creamy, thick vapor; PG = bright, sharp flavor. If you’re using a pod system (like XROS 5), go 70/30 VG/PG—smooth for MTL hits. If you’re on a mod (like ARMOUR ULTRA), 80/20 VG/PG makes those big clouds taste rich.
Rule 4: Tiny Batch = No Waste (Save Your Cash!) 
Here’s a pro move: Make 10ml batches first, not 100ml. If the flavor sucks, you only waste a little concentrate (not $20 worth!). Use small tools—10ml measuring cups, droppers, and a tiny mixing bottle (we sell VAPORESSO DIY kits with these—perfect for newbies!).
Another tip: “Smell before you mix!” If the concentrate smells like artificial chemicals (not real fruit/coffee), don’t use it. Bad concentrate = bad juice, no matter how good your ratio is.
Rule 5: Be Patient (Wake Your Juice Up!) 
DIY e-juice needs “steeping” —like wine, it gets better with time. Seal your mixed juice, shake it daily, and let it sit for 3-7 days. This gets rid of that “chemical aftertaste” and lets flavors blend. I once tried my “Grape” juice right after mixing—it tasted like cough syrup. After 5 days? It tasted like fresh grapes. Game-changer!
Final Verdict: DIY Is About Fun (Not Perfection!) 
Your first DIY flavor might not be “viral-worthy”—and that’s okay! My first was a “Banana” juice that tasted like banana candy gone bad—I laughed, dumped it, and tried again.
Grab your favorite snack, a small batch kit, and your XROS 5 (it’s perfect for testing fruit flavors!), and dive in. You’ll find your go-to mix faster than you think.
Happy mixing—may your flavors be bright, and your juice never taste like cough syrup! 
P.S. Want a cheat sheet? I can make you a Beginner DIY Flavor Combo Guide (with exact percentages!)—just say the word!