Put down that plastic bottle of neon-colored liquid you bought at the liquor stores and learn how to make Homemade Sweet and Sour Mix instead! Made with just 4 simple, easy-to-pronounce ingredients in about 10 minutes of active time, this uncomplicated recipe for homemade sour mix is about to revolutionize your cocktail hour.
Jump to:
About This Recipe
If you’ve ever wondered what the difference was between a delicious margarita or whisky sour and a cheap version of the same drink, the answer is most likely the sweet and sour mix. While plastic bottles of Mrs. T’s are ubiquitous on dive bar shelves, reaching for one is definitely not the way to make a craft cocktail.
Unlike store-bought versions or pre-made mix of sour mix for cocktails that are laden with hyper-processed ingredients like high fructose corn syrup, artificial colors, preservatives, and emulsifiers, my fresh sour mix is, well, FRESH — it’s made with freshly squeezed lemon and lime juices and little else.
You can try using your own sweet and sour mix in some of your favorite cocktails - margarita recipes, a green tea shot, gin sour, a white tea shot or aperol sour!
Why You'll Love this Recipe
Aside from tasting far superior to pre-bottled flavors, this sweet and sour mix recipe is also:
- Made With Only 4 Ingredients - Lemons, limes, sugar, and water. That’s it, all fresh ingredients. Other popular brands are made with things like sodium hexametaphosphate (???), esther gum, natural flavors (whatever that means) and Yellow 5. No thanks!
- Quick & Easy - It’s as simple as dissolving sugar into water and adding freshly squeezed citrus. It’ll take no more than about 10 minutes of active time — well worth it for the flavor AND the peace of mind, if you ask me.
- Super Versatile - The list of perfect cocktail (and mocktail) recipes you can make with your own sour mix is astonishing. This lemon-lime simple syrup bursting with citrus flavor pairs well with nearly any spirit from tequila and whisky to vodka and rum. What I’m trying to say is, if you make a batch, you’ll have no shortage of ways to use it.
- Budget-Friendly - You can make a batch of my real, fresh, citrusy sweet and sour drink mix for about as much as you would pay for the chemically version they sell at the store. Plus, once it’s made, it’ll make your homemade libations on par with fancy cocktail bars without having to pay fancy cocktail bar prices. 🤓
What is Sweet and Sour Mix made of? Ingredients & Substitutions
This sweet n’ sour mix is made from just 4 simple ingredients (one of which is water), so your favorite adult beverages are never far from reach. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Granulated Sugar - White sugar is neutrally flavored, making it the ideal choice for letting the zingy flavor of fresh citrus shine through. Feel free to swap in cane sugar or superfine caster sugar if needed.
- Water - If possible, opt for filtered water for the best, cleanest taste.
- Fresh Lemon Juice & Fresh Lime Juice - While you *can* use bottled juice to make your lemon lime sour mix, the flavor will be much brighter if you use fresh fruit. To get the most juice out of your lemons and limes, give them a firm roll on the countertop for 10-15 seconds before slicing them open.
Equipment
Making sweet and sour mix homemade requires only a few easy steps. Here are all the tools you’ll need:
- Citrus Reamer - You’re welcome to use any juicing device you prefer, but I love my reamer. It’s easy to store, impossible to break, and looks pretty to boot.
- Saucepan - Every kitchen needs a saucepan. Make sure to opt for one with a heavy bottom to prevent scorching an uneven heating.
- Spatula or Whisk - You just need something long enough to stir the sugar into the water without burning your fingers.
- Funnel & Lidded Squeeze Bottle - These are totally optional, but are quite helpful for storing and pouring your margarita sour mix without making a mess.
How To Make Sour Mix
If you’ve ever wondered how to make sweet & sour recipe as a home bartender, the answer is quickly and easily!
Step 1: Make simple syrup by heating water and sugar in a saucepan until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat.
Step 2: Add citrus juices and stir to combine. Cool and store or use as needed!
Optional Variations
While I think this recipe for tasty cocktails and classic drinks is spot on, you’re welcome to make any changes you need to fit your dietary preferences. Here are a few variations to consider:
- Refined Sugar-Free Sour Mix - Opt for organic cane sugar in place of granulated sugar.
- Sugar-Free Sweet & Sour Mix - Use your favorite cup-for-cup sugar alternative like Lakanto or Swerve to make this a diabetic-friendly mixer.
Expert Tips
- Use fresh citrus juice to ensure clean, bright flavors in your sweet and sour mix drink and take it to the next level.
- Add juice after the simple syrup is made. Adding the citrus off of heat will help preserve all the flavor compounds we’re after.
- Save the peels from the citrus to make pretty, candied cocktail garnishes when you’re done. Waste not, want not, right?
Frequently Asked Questions
Depending on who you talk to, margarita mix might only use lime juice whereas sweet and sour uses both lemon and lime juice. In my book, they’re interchangeable in your mixed drink recipes!
You know how all squares are rectangles, but not all rectangles are squares? This is like that. Sweet and sour mix is a particular flavor of simple syrup cut with fresh citrus juice, but simple syrup can come in many different flavors. Then use it in cocktail recipes like long island iced teas, lemon drop martinis, whisky sours, or an amaretto sour cocktail!
More Cocktail Recipes to try
As always, I love seeing your creations and hearing from you! If you try this recipe, rate the recipes below the recipe card and please share your creation with me on social media! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube and Pinterest - for more delicious recipes sent straight to your inbox, sign up for my newsletter!
Homemade Sweet and Sour Mix
Equipment
- Citrus Juicer
- Saucepan
- Spatula or Whisk
- Funnel & Lidded Squeeze Bottle
Ingredients
- 1 cup Granulated Sugar
- 1 cup Water
- 1 cup Lemon Juice, About 6 large lemons
- ¾ Lime Juice, about 8 limes
Instructions
- Make simple syrup by heating water and sugar in a saucepan until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat.1 cup Granulated Sugar, 1 cup Water
- Add citrus juices and stir to combine. Cool and store or use as needed!1 cup Lemon Juice, ¾ Lime Juice
Notes
- Use fresh citrus juice to ensure clean, bright flavors in your sweet and sour mix drink and take it to the next level.
- Add juice after the simple syrup is made. Adding the citrus off of heat will help preserve all the flavor compounds we’re after.
- Save the peels from the citrus to make pretty, candied cocktail garnishes when you’re done.
Leave a Reply