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Home > Recipes > Mixers

Homemade Sour Mix

Equal parts sweet and sour, this homemade sour mix is made with fresh lemon and lime juice mixed with basic simple syrup. By using quality ingredients, you can create a variety of superior cocktails – from whiskey sours to margaritas – without the harshness of bottled mix.
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Sour cocktail mix in a jar with lemons and limes and a cocktail in the background.
Table of Contents
  • Why we love this homemade sour mix
  • Here's what you'll need to make it
    • Equipment
    • Ingredients & substitutions
  • How to make homemade sour mix
  • Everything you need to know about sour cocktail mix
  • More cocktail mix recipes you will love
  • Recipes you can use this sour mix with
  • Homemade Sour Mix

Why we love this homemade sour mix

  • It’s so, so easy to make and the flavor cannot be beat with a store bought mix!
  • This homemade sour mix will make whatever cocktail you make taste exceptionally fresh.
sour mix in a jar ready to make a cocktail.

Here’s what you’ll need to make it

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Equipment

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Easy Measure Jigger

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Citrus Reamer

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Liquid Measure

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Ingredients & substitutions

  • Simple syrup
  • Lemon juice
  • Lime juice

If you want to vary your sour mix, try using a blend of citrus juices rather than just lemon and lime. As long as you keep your ratio of sweet and sour equal, you’ll have a great tasting mix.

However, I wouldn’t recommend using too much orange as it’s sweeter than other citrus fruits and will throw off that sweet-sour balance.

Sour cocktail mix being poured into a cocktail.

How to make homemade sour mix

Make the simple syrup. Mix 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Allow the sugar to dissolve, stirring as needed.

Mix the ingredients. Combine the simple syrup with 3/4 cup (total) lemon and lime juices.

Use or store. You can use the homemade sour mix right away or store it in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

A cocktail made with sour mix, garnished with a cherry and a lime wheel.

Everything you need to know about sour cocktail mix

Is there a difference between sour mix and sweet and sour mix?

No there is not. Sour mix, sour cocktail mix, sweet and sour mix are all the same with interchangeable names.

Is sour mix the same as lemonade?

No, though the flavors and ingredients are similar, lemonade is not concentrated enough to achieve the full sour flavor provided from a true sour cocktail mix.

How long does homemade simple syrup last?

When stored in the fridge, homemade simple syrup will stay fresh for up to a month. Make sure to store in an airtight container, mason jars work great. To keep syrup as fresh as possible, remove any mix ins from the container after 24 hours.

A jar of cocktail syrup with limes and lemons and a cocktail surrounding it.

More cocktail mix recipes you will love

  • Hibiscus syrup
  • Homemade grenadine
  • Vanilla simple syrup
  • Blueberry simple syrup

Recipes you can use this sour mix with

  • Cherry vodka sour
  • Aperol sour
  • Spicy mezcal sour
  • Amaretto stone sour
Homemade cocktail syrup in a mason jar.

Homemade Sour Mix

By: Melissa Belanger
Equal parts sweet and sour, this homemade sour mix is made with fresh lemon and lime juice mixed with basic simple syrup. By using quality ingredients, you can create a variety of superior cocktails – from whiskey sours to margaritas – without the harshness of bottled mix.
Prep Time: 2 minutes mins
12 ounces
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Ingredients 

  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 3/4 cup lemon and lime juices

Instructions 

  • In a saucepan over medium-low heat, mix sugar and water, stirring as needed, until sugar has dissolved.
  • Add citrus juice and stir to combine.
  • Transfer to a mason jar or air tight container and refrigerate for up to 1 week.
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Hi! I’m Melissa.

I’m so happy you’re here!

I’m a food blogger, photographer and cocktail enthusiast – and a mom of 2. I started Another Cocktail Blog to share the fun of mixing cocktails at home, so grab some ice and stay for a while.

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