Sweet and sour mix is a bar essential used in many of our favorite drinks. Discover the easy way to make your own delicious and versatile homemade sweet and sour cocktail mix. This simple recipe uses just four basic ingredients and can be customized to your taste preferences.
Sweet and sour mixer is perfect for a variety of classic cocktails like the whisky sour, margarita, and daiquiri. One of my favorite cocktails made with sour mix is the black opal, with it's combination of blackberry, orange and sour mix it's a really fruity cocktail!
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What is Sweet and Sour Mix?
Sweet and sour mix is a mixer used in a variety of drinks. It is a blend of lemon juice, lime juice, and simple syrup that provides a balanced sweet and tart flavor to cocktails.
Store-bought sour mix is widely available in liquor stores, but many bartenders and cocktail enthusiasts prefer to make their own homemade sour mix as it allows for greater control over the sweetness and tartness levels.
Making your own sour mix is also more cost-effective and since homemade sweet and sour mix is made with fresh ingredients, it has a brighter more vibrant flavor.
Ingredient Notes
Homemade sour mix requires just four simple ingredients and there is a good chance you have them on hand:
- Lemon juice: Lemon juice provides the sourness to the mix. I recommend only using fresh lemon juice here.
- Lime juice: Fresh lime juice adds an extra layer of tartness and helps to balance the sweetness of the simple syrup.
- Sugar: Making sweet and sour mix is very similar to making homemade simple syrup. Sugar counters the tartness of the citric acid.
- Water: A small amount of water helps to balance the flavors and make the mix easier to mix into cocktails.
How to Make Homemade Sweet and Sour Cocktail Mix
Step 1: Combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan and place over medium heat. Stir until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
Step 2: Once the simple syrup has cooled, add the lemon juice and lime juice.
Stir until well combined.
Step 3: Strain the mixture through a fine sieve, then transfer it to a sealed jar.
Storage
Store the bottle of sour mix in the refrigerator. It should last for up to one week.
- Use a clean, airtight container: Make sure to use a clean, airtight bottle or container to store your sour mix. This will prevent contamination and keep the mix fresh for longer.
- Label the container: Label the container with the date it was made to keep track of its shelf life.
- Keep it refrigerated: Store the sour mix in the refrigerator at all times. The cold temperature will slow down the growth of bacteria and prevent spoilage.
- Use within a week: Homemade sour mix should be used within a week of being made. If you do not plan to use it all within a week, it may be a good idea to make a smaller batch to ensure freshness.
- Stir before using: Before using the sour mix, give it a good stir to redistribute the flavors. The lemon and lime juices may separate from the simple syrup over time, so stirring before using will ensure an even flavor in your cocktails.
Easy recipes using sour mix
- Whiskey Sour: Fill a shaker with ice. Add 2 oz of whiskey, ¾ oz of sour mix, and a splash of grenadine. Shake well and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with a lemon wedge.
- Margarita: Use this sour drink mix as a homemade margarita mix. Fill a shaker with ice. Add 2 oz of tequila, 1 oz of sour mix, and 1 oz of triple sec. Shake well and strain into a salt-rimmed glass filled with ice. Garnish with a lime wedge.
- Daiquiri: Fill a blender with ice. Add 2 oz of rum, 1 oz of sour mix, and 1 oz of simple syrup. Blend until smooth and pour into a chilled glass. Garnish with a lime wedge.
- Vodka Sour: Fill a shaker with ice. Add 2 oz of vodka, ¾ oz of sour mix, and a splash of bitters. Shake well and strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with a lemon wedge.
- Long Island Iced Tea: Fill a tall glass with ice. Add ½ oz each of vodka, gin, rum, tequila, and triple sec. Fill the glass with equal parts sour mix and cola. Stir gently and garnish with a lemon wedge.
- Homemade Lemon-Lime Soda: Combine 8 oz of club soda with 4 oz sweet and sour mix for a perfect homemade soda.
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Recipe
Sweet and Sour Cocktail Mix
Instructions
- Add the water and sugar to a saucepan and place over medium heat. Allow to simmer gently and stir until sugar has fully dissolved.2 Cups Water, 1 Cup Sugar
- Remove saucepan from heat and allow the simple syrup to cool to room temperature. Once it has cooled, add the lemon and lime juice.½ Cup Lime Juice, ½ Cup Lemon Juice
- Pour into a mason jar and store in the refrigerator for up to one week.
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