How to Turn One Flavour Concentrate into a Complete Recipe

Welcome to the latest Make My Vape Guides and Information blog. This guide will walk you through creating a balanced e-liquid recipe using a single flavour concentrate, so your mixes consistently deliver the flavour you want.

Choosing a single hero e-liquid concentrate flavour gives your recipe focus and a foundation to build on. Strong bases like Capella Sweet Strawberry, Flavor West Vanilla Custard or Tobacco act as an anchor for supporting flavours and ingredients.
Testing your core concentrate first, helps you understand its strengths and what it needs to reach a balanced, full-bodied profile.

Start by mixing a small test batch at the recommended percentage. Our product descriptions list suggested flavour ranges to guide you. Once your test batch is ready and steeped, vape it on a clean coil or pod and take note of:

• What stands out on the inhale

• Whether the flavour fades quickly

• If it feels thin or incomplete

• If the flavour lacks depth

These observations will tell you exactly what your recipe needs next.

Creating a standout DIY e-liquid recipe requires structure and balance. Think of your recipe in three seperate layers:

Top Note – The first impression, such as bright fruit or a cooling sensation.
Middle Note – The body of the flavour, like cream or a punchy fruit.
Base Note – Depth and smoothness, such as custard, caramel, bakery notes or tobacco.

A well constructed recipe blends these layers so your core flavour remains central while the overall mix feels complete.

When adding supporting concentrates, use one ingredient at a time in low percentages. After each addition, retest your mix. Your core should remain the star. If it becomes muted or muddled, you’ve added too much. Introduce contrast carefully, so your profile stays interesting without becoming chaotic.

Sweeteners can enhance flavour but too much masks nuance and can gunk coils or pods. Use only 0.5–1% if needed. Whenever possible, rely on concentrates with natural sweetness instead. Keeping total flavour percentages moderate ensures no single ingredient overpowers your core.

Many flavours, especially custards and creams, evolve over time. Don’t judge a mix on the first vape. Allow proper steeping, then revisit and adjust if needed. For more on steeping, check our other blogs for tips and best practices.

Your base impacts both flavour delivery and vapour production. Higher Vegetable Glycerine (VG) produces smooth, dense vapour but can mute delicate flavours. A balanced VG/PG ratio often highlights flavour clarity. Use the Make My Vape E-Liquid Calculator to get precise measurements for any batch size.

• Trying to fix a weak core with too many additives

• Judging mixes before proper steeping

• Overusing sweeteners that damage coils

• Ignoring the impact of VG/PG ratios

Avoiding these pitfalls keeps your learning curve manageable and your results consistent.

Designing an e-liquid recipe around one flavour brings focus and control to your DIY vaping journey. With careful layering, structured testing, and thoughtful balance, you can create e-liquids that are refined, intentional and perfectly suited to your taste.
If you would like further information on recipes and would like to try premade recipes, then please head over to the Recipe section on our website.