How to Make Sour Mix ~ A simple combination of freshly squeezed lemons and simple syrup for all your home entertaining cocktail needs.For years, when making cocktails or mocktails and needed sweet and sour mix, I simply purchased a pre-made one at the store. That humongous jug lived in the door of my refrigerator forever. It was nice having it on hand when I needed it, but I hated the space it took up.
I most often used the mix for Margaritas and Long Island Iced Teas. Then the whiskey sour entered my life. I wanted to make the cocktail at home. And wouldn’t you know it, there was no sour mix in fridge. I guess I finally got through that massive jug.
I could have ran to the store to buy a new jug or I could do as a friend suggested and just make my own. So I made my own. He gave me his basic recipe of 1:1 simple syrup and fresh squeezed lemon juice.
There are plenty of how to make sour mix recipes out there, some with just lemons, some with lemon and limes, and other with a myriad of citrus. I’ll get around to making each version because each has their benefits in cocktails.
As you can see, I made a pretty big bottle of sour mix (but not nearly as big as that ole jug). If sealed, it lasts several weeks in the fridge. I figured if I am squeezing lemons, I might as well squeeze some lemons.
Ironically, I mentioned above I used the sour mix in the jug for margaritas and Long Islands, but yet since making my own mix, I’ve only used it in my Whiskey Sour. If whiskey isn’t your thing or you simply want other ideas on how to use this up, here are a few other recipes you can use the mix in:
Lemon Drop Martini from Homemade Hooplah
Raspberry Margarita from Or Whatever You Do
Amaretto Sour from Real Housemoms
Sweet and Sour Cherry Sparkler from The Kitchn

How to Make Sour Mix
Ingredients
- 12 oz simple syrup
- 12 oz fresh lemon juice
Instructions
-
In a large, clean bottle or jug, add the simple syrup and freshly squeezed lemon juice together, mix well, seal, and store in the refrigerator.
Recipe Notes
Any amount can be made, just keep your ratios 1:1;
1 tbsp simple syrup to 1 tbsp sour mix;
1 cup simple syrup to 1 cup sour mix;
1 gallon simple syrup to 1 gallon sour mix.


11 Comments
Erin @ Texanerin Baking
November 7, 2016 at 3:33 pmI’d much rather have this homemade version! It sounds perfect.
Amy Stafford
November 7, 2016 at 3:51 pmI love giving homemade gifts for the holidays, and this is a must make gift idea.
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious
November 7, 2016 at 7:07 pmYou are just in time for this. I am going to need it on election night!
Melanie
November 7, 2016 at 7:10 pmI didn’t even know that you could make stuff like this at home!
Amanda
November 7, 2016 at 8:05 pmI’ve never thought about making my own sour mix… but this looks amazing!
Emily
November 7, 2016 at 9:12 pmOh my husband will love this! I am not too much into the sour stuff, but my husband is for sure. Thanks for the recipe.
Christina | Christina's Cucina
November 7, 2016 at 11:10 pmI love that this is totally homemade! The bought kind uses corn syrup! LOVE this version and I’m sure it tastes tons better, too!
carrie @ frugal foodie mama
November 8, 2016 at 3:09 pmI had no clue that making your own sour mix at home was so easy to do! 🙂
Michelle
November 8, 2016 at 9:05 pmThis is great, Michelle – I’d so much rather use homemade!
Divya @ Eat. Teach. Blog.
November 9, 2016 at 11:20 amThis is awesome! Thank you for the recipe – I have never heard of making this yourself, but maybe I should do that instead of buying bottle after bottle!
Lisa
November 12, 2016 at 9:17 pmTry steeping lemon zest in the mix for 4 to 24 hours. It rounds out the lemon flavor.