Mixing a fantastic cocktail is a skill and an art form, but three Milwaukee entrepreneurs hope to make it a little easier -- and tastier -- for non-professionals. Alexander Marasco, Josh Gentine and Donald Meissner created a new cocktail mixer called Press Cocktail Soda, and in less than two weeks, they plan to introduce it to the masses.

"Sodas tend to be heavy, syrupy and laden with sugar, and tonics are generally bitter, dry and not appealing to drink alone," says Gentine. "We took these two separate elements and fused together a drink that is dry and crisp, yet has full flavor."

A mixture of soda water, lemon lime soda, quinine and a splash of flavor, Press Cocktail Soda is an alternative to other "mixers" like juice, tonic or cola.

Press, which comes in a 10.5-oz. skinny can, is lower in sugar and calories (approximately 80 calories per can) than many other beverages, and is available in four flavors: original, orange, raspberry or cucumber.

"There are a ton of fresh fruit smells when you first open the can and you taste a lot of fresh-squeezed fruits upon your first sip ... then they simply disappear, similar to a dry red wine," says Gentine.

Press can be mixed with alcohol or served by itself over ice. Although Gentine says his beverage complements most spirits, the cucumber flavor goes well with gin and the orange-flavored Press is ideal with whiskey.

In Milwaukee, Press will be available at a variety of boutique liquor/grocery stores, including New World Wine Company, 322 N. Water St. and 632 E. Orgden Ave. New World Wine owner Brad Brunson is a huge fan of Press, and concurs that it's an innovative new product.

"Why would you mix a high-end spirit with a low-end mixer?" he asks. "The staff here have tasted all of the Press flavors, and we love them all. But the cucumber Press mixed with Hendrick's was beautiful. (Hendrick's is a Scottish gin infused with rose petals and cucumbers.) It's by far our favorite new cocktail of the year."

Press sampling parties will take place at numerous local bars and lounges, as well as the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra's Style Show at the Milwaukee Art Museum on Monday, Nov.13.

Press Cocktail, LLC was founded and developed in Milwaukee. Marasco has 20 years in the service industry and is the former owner of Cush Cocktail Lounge, 1806 E. North Ave. Gentine, a private investor, co-manages Press' daily financial and operational functions. He is the grandson of the late Leonard A. Gentine, Sr., who founded Sargento Foods in Plymouth.

Messner is a also private investor and the owner of a real estate management company. He has eight years of marketing and advertising experience under his belt, and runs the sales and promotional end of the business.

All three of the men are confident their product will be well-received by Milwaukeeans, despite our beer drinking reputation and consumption.

"I don't think Milwaukee is as much of a cocktail town as it is a beer town, but we feel more and more people are drinking cocktails," says Gentine. "I thoroughly believe beer drinkers will appreciate the drink."