Sweet and Sour Mix for Cocktails

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Learning how to make sweet and sour mix at home with this easy to make recipe allows you to balance the perfect blend of sweet and tart in your favorite cocktails.

For even more delicious simple syrup recipes to elevate your favorite drinks, check out these recipes too! Cherry simple syrup, berry simple syrup, and basil simple syrup.

Sweet and sour mix in a mason jar surrounded by lemons and limes.

Making your own sour mix at home allows you to use fresh ingredients and avoid the high fructose corn syrup, polysorbate 60, and FD&C #5 (yellow food coloring) that is used in the most popular sweet and sour mix at your local grocery and liquor stores.

What is sweet and sour mix?

It is one of the most versatile mixers used to add a balanced combination of sweetness and tartness to a variety of drinks, such as margaritas and whiskey sours.

This homemade sour mix recipe is made from a combination of water, cane sugar, and equal parts fresh lemon, and fresh lime juice.

Filtered water
Half a cup up to three-quarters of a cup of granulated cane sugar
2 to 3 fresh lemons depending on size
2 to 4 fresh limes depending on size

Check out the printable recipe card below for the complete recipe and detailed instructions.

Tools used

How to make sweet and sour mix

Simmer 0.5 cup of water with .75 cup of sugar over medium heat, in a small saucepan until the sugar dissolves.

Remove from heat and let cool until it drops to room temperature.

Pour simple syrup into a mason jar or other airtight container. Add 0.5 cup of fresh lemon juice, and 0.5 cup of fresh lemon juice. Cover and shake vigorously to fully combine.

Simple syrup, lemon and lime juices in glass jars.

Taste the sweet & sour mix and adjust the sweetness or tartness to your liking. You can add more sugar if you want it sweeter or more lemon/lime juice if you want it more tart.

Sweet and sour mix recipe mixed together in a glass mason jar.

Store in the refrigerator until ready to use.

If you enjoy playing home bartender at your parties and holiday gatherings, this sweet and sour mix is a must have to create both classic cocktails and your guests favorite drinks!

Sweet and sour mix in a glass jar surrounded by cut limes and lemons.

How do you get the most fruit juice out of lemons and limes?

Select ripe lemons and limes that are firm but yield slightly to gentle pressure, and have vibrant, smooth skins.
Before juicing, roll the lemon or lime on a countertop or cutting board while applying gentle pressure with your palm. This helps break down the cell walls and makes it easier to extract the juice.
If your citrus fruits are cold, microwave them for about 10-15 seconds or soak them in warm water for a few minutes. This can make the fruit juicier.
Cut the lemon or lime in half crosswise, not lengthwise. This exposes more of the fruit’s flesh and juice-filled vesicles.
A handheld citrus juicer or a reamer is the most effective tool for extracting juice. Place one half of the citrus fruit in the juicer, press, and twist to release the juice. Be sure to hold the juicer over a container to catch the juice.
If you don’t have any tools, you can also squeeze the fruit by hand. Cup your hand, place the fruit half in it, and squeeze the juice out while using your fingers to catch any seeds.

What cocktails can I make with sweet and sour mix?

Some of the most popular cocktail recipes that use sweet and sour mix include:

Whiskey Sour: This cocktail features whiskey (bourbon or rye), sweet and sour mix, and sometimes a dash of simple syrup. It’s garnished with a maraschino cherry and an orange slice.
Amaretto Sour: Amaretto, a sweet almond-flavored liqueur, combines with sweet and sour mix to create a delightful and slightly nutty cocktail.
Tom Collins: A Tom Collins includes gin, sweet and sour mix, and club soda, resulting in a refreshing and effervescent citrus drink.
Singapore Sling: This tropical cocktail contains gin, cherry brandy, sweet and sour mix, and a variety of fruit juices, creating a complex and fruity flavor profile.
Long Island Iced Tea: Combination of vodka, rum, gin, tequila, triple sec, sweet and sour mix, and a splash of cola to create a refreshing and somewhat deceptive drink that does not taste as strong as it is!

FAQ’s

How long can I store homemade sweet and sour mix?

Fresh sweet and sour mix can be stored in the refrigerator for approximately 2-3 weeks. Be sure to keep it in a tightly sealed container to maintain its freshness.

Can I make a larger batch of sweet and sour mix for a party?

Yes, you can scale up the ingredients to make a big batch to accommodate a group. Just maintain the same ratio of lemon juice, lime juice, water, and sugar.

Are there any alternatives to sugar for sweetening the mix?

If you prefer alternatives to granulated sugar, you can use honey or agave nectar, but it will effect the final flavor.
For sugar free sweet & sour mix substitute allulose for the granulated sugar. You can also use Swerve granulated, but it will not fully dissolve and your sour mix will be cloudy.

Can I use bottled lemon and lime juice instead of fresh juice?

You can, but I do not recommend it. Bottled juices are generally made with additives to preserve freshness that will change the overall flavor of your mix. In a pinch, yes it will absolutely work.

Citrus cocktails without sweet and sour mix

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Enjoy!!

Sweet and Sour Mix for Coctails

Learning how to make sweet and sour mix at home allows you to balance the perfect blend of sweet and tart in your favorite cocktails.

5 from 1 vote

Print Rate

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Keyword: citrus simple syrup

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 10

Total Time: 20

Servings: cups

Calories: 317kcal

Author: Lisa Johnson

Ingredients

1 cup water
.75 cup granulated sugar use half a cup if you prefer
0.5 cup fresh lemon juice 2 large or 3 medium
0.5 cup fresh lime juice 3 medium to 6 smaller limes

Instructions

Simmer 0.5 cup of water with .75 cup of sugar over medium heat, in a small saucepan until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and let cool until it drops to room temperature.
Pour simple syrup into a mason jar or other airtight container. Add 0.5 cup of fresh lemon juice, and 0.5 cup of fresh lemon juice. Cover and shake vigorously to fully combine.
Taste the sweet & sour mix and adjust the sweetness or tartness to your liking. You can add more sugar if you want it sweeter or more lemon/lime juice if you want it more tart.
Store in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Notes

Fresh sweet and sour mix can be stored in the refrigerator for approximately 2-3 weeks. Be sure to keep it in a tightly sealed container to maintain its freshness.
You can scale up the ingredients to make a big batch to accommodate a group. Just maintain the same ratio of lemon juice, lime juice, water, and sugar.
If you prefer alternatives to granulated sugar, you can use honey or agave nectar, but it will effect the final flavor.
For sugar free sweet & sour mix substitute allulose for the granulated sugar. You can also use Swerve granulated, but it will not fully dissolve and your sour mix will be cloudy.
Using fresh lemon and lime juice will give you the best flavor, but bottled juices can be used if needed.
Nutrition information is based on 2) one-cup servings determined by the calculator. Actual values will be determined by the recipe you use this mix in.

Nutrition