Store-bought sweet and sour doesn’t even compare to my Homemade Sour Mix recipe. If you want a fresher version of the classic bar sour, this recipe is just what you need. Dress up your cocktails and mixed drinks with this simple homemade bar staple.
The Best Homemade Sour Mix
Three simple ingredients are all this recipe requires for that perfect sour mix to stir into your favorite cocktail. Just like most things, homemade is better, and this recipe is just that.
So much better.
You’ll never look at store-bought sour mix the same way again.
Use this in my Classic Margarita!
Sweet and Sour Shopping List
Wondering if you have to hit the store? Here’s the list of items you’ll need to make this recipe. For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Lemon juice
- Lime juice
- Water
- White sugar
Try some in our Blue Hawaiian Colada!
How To Make Homemade Sweet and Sour Mix
This is just the overview so you can see what you’re actually getting into here. When you are cooking, you’ll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.
- Combine the juices in a medium-sized container.
- In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and water. Stir to dissolve the sugar, and bring to a simmer for 4-5 minutes.
- Carefully pour into the juice mixture, and chill.
More Cocktail Recipes here!
Sweet and Sour Mix FAQ
Sour mix is a mix of lime and lemon juice mixed with a simple syrup of sugar and water. This mix is great to add to mixed drinks and cocktails to offer an elevation of tang and sweetness to the liquor. Serve your drinks over ice or blended for that perfect mix of alcohol to sweet.
I am a huge fan of making homemade cocktails. From whipping up a homemade Kahlua coffee liqueur to a lemongrass lemon drop and all things in between.
Pairing the perfect cocktail with your menu is always fun for me! I love creating a menu all the way down the drinks.
Since I love cocktails, I thought why not make my own sour mix instead of buying premade. Once I started doing that, I realized quickly it immediately x10 how great these cocktails ended up.
Ingredients matter.
Like most things, over time your sour mix can go bad. You might find it tastes bad, offers a fragrance that smells extra sour, or even has mold growing in the container. The ingredients themselves do help to preserve the mix naturally, but it isn’t going to last forever. The homemade sour mix is so simple to make; it will take no time to whip up a fresh new batch to have on hand to mix in your drinks.
Sour mix can last around 2-3 weeks in the refrigerator. I recommend refrigerating your sour mix since it has fresh ingredients, it will help extend the shelf life and keep the mix tasting top-notch.
I do recommend investing in a juicer for your lemons and limes. It is a great way to maximize how much juice you can get out of your slices. They are affordable, and you can find at most mass stores or even shop online. It is also a good idea to have a strainer on hand to hold back any pulp or seeds that might go into your sour mix.
Use Sour Mix In…
Try in our Raspberry Margarita!
Sour Mix
This easy homemade sour mix recipe will make your drinks even better than they already were! Simple ingredients, simple prep!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup lemon juice
- 1/2 cup lime juice
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup white sugar
Instructions
- Combine the lemon and lime juice in a medium-sized container that will fit 2 - 2 1/2 cups of liquid inside.
- In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and water. Stir to dissolve the sugar, and bring to a simmer for 4-5 minutes.
- Carefully pour into the juice mixture, and chill.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 413Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 22mgCarbohydrates: 109gFiber: 1gSugar: 102gProtein: 1g