Homemade Sweet and Sour Mix (2024)

ByCaylie

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Homemade Sweet and Sour Mix is a recipe that absolutely everyone needs! It’s so easy to make with a simple combination of fresh lemon juice, lime juice, and simple syrup. It’s the perfect mixer for any kind of drink you can imagine!

Homemade Sweet and Sour Mix (1)

I’m being absolutely serious when I say this is literally the easiest thing to make! I know it may be tempting to buy that stuff from the store but I guarantee you that this tastes 10x better.

Plus, you can control how sweet or sour you want this mix to be!

There’s nothing better!

What is sweet and sour mix

Well, it’s basically a lemon-lime simple syrup! It’s the key ingredient to so many of your favorite co*cktails and drinks.

does sour mix have alcohol in it

Absolutely not! It is (obviously) used for co*cktails but there isn’t any alcohol in a sour mix. Personally, I actually love to mix it into my lemonades to add a little fresh kick!

Homemade Sweet and Sour Mix (2)

does sweet and sour mix need to be refrigerated

Yes. I always store it in an air tight container and it in the fridge. It keeps so much longer this way! Plus, you’re going to be mixing it into cold drinks so, why not have the sour mix be cold as well? Just makes sense!

It may start to go bad a few weeks after you make it. So, just make sure you check it before using it!

how to make sour mix

Thankfully, this is one of the easiest recipes there is. First, gather your ingredients! If you don’t know how to make a simple syrup, then I recommend clicking over to our homemade simple syrup recipe!

Homemade Sweet and Sour Mix (3)

Juice the lemons and limes, combine in a bowl or a jar and… that’s it! Seriously. That’s all it takes to have the best ever sweet and sour mix!

What to make with sweet and sour mix

Oh, my gosh. The possibilities are endless! From alcoholic to non-alcoholic, here’s a quick list to get you started.

Homemade Sweet and Sour Mix (4)

Expert Tips:

  • Roll your lemons and limes onto the counter to get as much juice as you can!
  • Use homemade simple syrup. It’s super easy to make and takes no time at all!
  • You can use this to make virgin margaritas, if you’d like.
  • You can freeze this if needed for longer storage.
  • Adjust the ratios to your taste! If the mix is too sweet, add more lemon and lime juice. Too sour, add more simple syrup.

When you make this Homemade Sweet and Sour Mix recipe, leave a comment down below! We love hearing from you and answering any questions you might have! Also, be sure to tag us on social media and hashtag it #MSDeltaHospitality.

Homemade Sweet and Sour Mix (5)

Homemade Sour Mix

Traci

Sweet, sour, and tangy. This Homemade Sweet and Sour mix is the perfect blend of citrus and sugar for all your favorite drinks!

5 from 1 vote

Prep Time 5 mins

Total Time 5 mins

Course Syrups

Cuisine American

Servings 4 cups

Calories 158 kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 2 cups [simple syrup]

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients.

  • Stir to mix.

Notes

  • Roll your lemons and limes onto the counter to get as much juice as you can!
  • Use homemade simple syrup. It’s super easy to make and takes no time at all!
  • You can use this to make virgin margaritas, if you’d like.
  • You can freeze this if needed for longer storage.
  • Adjust the ratios to your taste! If the mix is too sweet, add more lemon and lime juice. Too sour, add more simple syrup.

Nutrition

Serving: 1/2 cupCalories: 158kcalCarbohydrates: 42gSodium: 9mgSugar: 38g

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

When you make this recipe, remember to tag @bakerstble or hashtag it #BakersTable!

Homemade Sweet and Sour Mix (6)

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  1. I make this all the time, especially for green tea shots. Can I freeze the sour mix in a mason jar if not what can I use?

    Reply

    1. Hi Jojo! I would freeze it in ice cube trays. Once frozen, you can store in a zip top bag.

      Reply

  2. I’m ready for a margarita!

    Reply

    1. Me too!

      Reply

Homemade Sweet and Sour Mix (7)

About Us

Hi! We’re Traci and Caylie. Welcome to Bakers Table! I’m Traci, a retired chef, restauranteur, and caterer, as well as a mother to two children and two rescue dogs. My daughter, Caylie, is the photographer, writer, and #1 taste tester. This blog is the place to come and find easy yet impressive food and desserts.

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Homemade Sweet and Sour Mix (2024)

FAQs

What is sweet and sour mix made of? ›

So What is Sweet and Sour Mix? This is basically a lemon-lime simple syrup, combining sugar and water with lime and lemon juice.

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

Sour mix (also known as sweet and sour mix) is a mixer that is yellow-green in color and is used in many co*cktails. It is made from approximately equal parts lemon and/or lime juice and simple syrup and shaken vigorously with ice.

Is margarita mix the same as sweet and sour mix? ›

Margarita mix is a combination of lemon juice, lime juice, sugar, and water. If you've ever had a sweet and sour co*cktail, margarita mix and sweet and sour mix are the same recipe!

What is the difference between an old fashioned sweet and sour? ›

Sweet or sour. If you want to make a brandy old fashioned sweet, you would top your drink with lemon-lime soda like Sprite or 7Up. For a brandy old fashioned sour, you would use grapefruit soda, like 50/50 or Squirt.

What is sweet and sour chicken batter made of? ›

Place flour, 2 tablespoons oil, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, egg, salt, and white pepper in a large bowl; gradually whisk in 1 1/2 cups water to make a thick batter. Add chicken pieces; stir until well coated.

What is restaurant sweet and sour sauce made of? ›

While sweet and sour can be found in diverse forms in China, the American version builds upon the simple mixture of sugar, vinegar, and spices with the addition of fruit juice—most commonly pineapple—and ketchup, giving the sauce both its red hue and uniquely Western flavor.

What can you use instead of sugar old fashioned? ›

Swapping white sugar for brown sugar makes a rich, almost caramel-like syrup that works well in Old Fashioned co*cktails. Honey or maple syrup are also a nice idea.

How do you make sweet and sour food? ›

Sour: The general go-to here would be lemon juice, although lime will also work. Orange juice will only add more sweetness as will some kinds of vinegar. White wine vinegar, red wine vinegar, or apple cider vinegar are good choices but shy away from balsamic because of its inherent sweetness.

Can you use lemon juice instead of sour mix? ›

Substitutes for sour mix

You can use any citrus juice, such as lemon, lime, orange or grapefruit — or a combination — to mix with a sweetener like simple syrup, honey syrup, agave nectar or even maple syrup. Anything labeled “margarita mix” will also work.

Why do we shake sour mix? ›

co*cktails that should be shaken are ones that contain dairy, cream liqueurs, fruit juices, eggs, or sour mix. These drinks get a better balance of flavor and alcohol when there is more diluting involved.

What is in store bought sour mix? ›

Cheap sour mixes are made from artificial lemon and lime flavoring along with corn syrup, coloring, preservatives, and stabilizers. Higher-end mixes are made with juice from concentrate, citric acid, and sugar.

Why is Triple Sec used in margaritas? ›

Triple sec, a term used interchangeably with curaçao, is a type of orange liqueur that provides fruity flavors as well as sweet and bitter notes — all of which are essential for a well-made Margarita.

Is Triple Sec sweet or sour? ›

Triple sec is a strong, sweet, and colourless orange-flavoured liqueur made from dried peels of bitter and sweet oranges and ranges in alcohol content from 15% to 40% ABV depending on the brand – Combier and Cointreau are the two best-known brands of the triple sec style of orange liqueur.

Is Triple Sec the same as margarita mix? ›

Others think that a margarita isn't a margarita unless it contains Triple Sec, a generic, deplorable, sticky-sweet liqueur made from dried orange peels. I agree that a margarita contains three ingredients. But Cointreau or Triple Sec aren't among them—neither has a place in a Margarita.

Why do people put soda water in Old Fashioned? ›

She says the tradition of adding soda and fruit to an Old Fashioned goes back to Prohibition. Since the only alcohol anyone could get at the time was homemade, much of it didn't taste great, so people began adding extra ingredients to drinks to mask the taste.

Is whiskey sour the same as sweet and sour? ›

Of course Sour Mix, Sweet & Sour Mix, Whiskey Sour Mix, Daiquiri Mix, and even Margarita Mix (for the most part) are all essentially the same thing.

Can I use regular sugar instead sugar cube for Old Fashioned? ›

The caramel and molasses notes pair well with dark liquor, normally Rye or Bourbon. If you don't happen to have brown sugar on hand, white sugar can be substituted, though the same rules do apply—be sure to muddle it enough to ensure that it is fully dissolved into the bitters before adding your whiskey.

What are the ingredients in making the batter mixture? ›

batter, mixture of flour and liquid with other ingredients, such as leavening agents, shortening, sugar, salt, eggs, and various flavourings, used to make baked goods and other food products.

What is Chick Fil A chicken batter made of? ›

The ingredients for the Chick Fil A Chicken Sandwich are; boneless skinless chicken breasts, seasoning (salt, msg, sugar, paprika, spices), flour, nonfat milk, leavening (baking soda, and baking powder), soybean oil, water, egg, fully refined peanut oil, bun, vinegar, butter flavored oil, pickle.

What is Chinese batter made of? ›

What is Chinese batter? Chinese batter is usually made of plain flour, cornstarch, baking soda and water. Can be seasoned with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. You can make battered chicken, prawns, or pork with this recipe.

What is McDonald's sweet and sour sauce made of? ›

Spotted online via TikTok, @evs_kii shared a video asking if anyone knew what McDonald's sweet and sour sauce was made from, before revealing it was in fact apricot.

What is the mother sauce of sweet and sour? ›

In China traditionally the sauces are made from mixing sugar or honey with a sour liquid such as rice vinegar, soy sauce, and spices such as ginger and cloves. Sometimes a paste made from tomatoes is used but this is rare and normally restricted to Western cooking.

What are the two ingredients that give a sour taste to the dressing? ›

Vinegar or citrus juice are the most common acids, but tomato juice or soy sauce work, too.

What is the safest and healthiest sugar substitute? ›

5 Natural Sweeteners That Are Good for Your Health
  1. Stevia. Stevia is a very popular low calorie sweetener. ...
  2. Erythritol. Erythritol is another low calorie sweetener. ...
  3. Xylitol. Xylitol is a sugar alcohol with a sweetness similar to that of sugar. ...
  4. Yacon syrup. Yacon syrup is another unique sweetener. ...
  5. Monk fruit sweetener.

What sweetener tastes most like sugar? ›

Most people find that erythritol has a very similar taste to sugar and find the two indistinguishable. It even caramelizes like sugar.

What is the healthiest alternative to sugar? ›

The healthiest alternative to sugar is whole fruits, followed by dried fruits, as they contain added nutrients and fiber. In comparison to table sugar, fruit juices, maple syrup, honey, and molasses are marginally healthier as they contain some vitamins and minerals.

How do you make sweet and sour thicker? ›

If the sauce isn't thick enough, you can add one more tablespoon of cornstarch and whisk it in. But remember, the sauce will thicken even more as it cools down. So only add more cornstarch if the sauce is way too thin.

What is the berry that makes everything taste sweet? ›

Synsepalum dulcificum is a plant in the Sapotaceae family known for its berry that, when eaten, causes sour foods (such as lemons and limes) subsequently consumed to taste sweet.

How long does homemade sweet and sour last? ›

How long will homemade sweet and sour sauce keep in the fridge? This sweet and sour sauce recipe should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. If you are storing the sauce straight after cooking, let it cool to room temperature first.

How much vinegar do I use to make sour milk? ›

To make 1 cup (250 mL) sour milk for baking, use 1 tbsp (15 mL) vinegar or lemon juice and enough milk to equal 1 cup (250 mL). Stir and let stand for 5 minutes before using. This will give the right amount of acidity for the recipe.

Is sour mix the same as lemonade? ›

Lemonade | Essentially a sour mix is a more concentrated lemonade in a way. It is a great base for so many drinks but even watering it down can give that tart and sweet flavor of lemonade that so many love and know.

Can I use milk and lemon juice instead of sour cream? ›

Milk or Milk Powder

Mix one cup of whole milk and a tablespoon juice of lemon to make sour cream replacement.

Why do bartenders shake so hard? ›

Hard Shake

It's a way of understanding how the ice performs in the shaker.” Essentially, it's a three-point shake, typically done with a cobbler shaker, with choreographed motions that focus on maximizing aeration. It moves the ice around the entire shaker, rather than merely back and forth from end to end.

How long to dry shake a sour? ›

This is the dry shake. Once you've shaken for at least 10 seconds, then add ice in. This will chill the drink and also dilute it just slightly. With the ice, give your shaker at least another 10 seconds of shaking.

What is a good sour mix? ›

Best Sweet & Sour Mix
  • Collins Sweet & Sour co*cktail Mix.
  • Zing Zang All Natural Sweet and Sour Mix.
  • Bittermilk No. 3 Smoked Honey Whiskey Sour.
  • LAVA Sweet and Sour Mix.
  • Royal Rose Real Sour Mix.
  • Mr & Mrs T Sweet & Sour Mix.
  • Swig + Swallow Sour.
18 Aug 2022

Can you buy sweet and sour mix? ›

With a made-from-scratch taste, The Sweet & Sour Mix is ready to be mixed with your favorite co*cktails like Whiskey Sours, Amaretto Sours or even margaritas. You can also enjoy the great taste as a virgin co*cktail. Mix delicious co*cktails like a pro with the taste of Mr & Mrs T's Sweet & Sour Mix.

Does homemade sour mix need to be refrigerated? ›

does sweet and sour mix need to be refrigerated. Yes.

What is sour in sweet and sour Chinese? ›

It is a thickened sauce made from both sweet and sour ingredients. In most modern Chinese sweet and sour sauce recipes, the sweetness comes from white sugar, and the sourness comes from vinegar. Some older recipes used pineapple or citrus juices for both the sweet and sour components of the sauce.

Why do they put sugar on the rim of margaritas? ›

You traditionally see sugar rims with margaritas, but you can serve them with virtually any drink–coffee, hot chocolate, co*cktails, lemonade or even regular fruit juice. The sugar adds an extra kick of sweetness, plus some zest or spice if you mix it with other ingredients.

Is triple sec just vodka? ›

What it is: Triple Sec is any clear dry orange-flavored liqueur, including Cointreau. In most liquor stores, bottles labeled Triple Sec are lower in quality and more affordable than Cointreau. Flavor: Triple Sec has a more straightforward flavor vs Cointreau: it's very citrusy, almost like an orange-infused vodka.

Why do people put orange juice in margaritas? ›

Add fresh squeezed orange juice to this classic co*cktail and you get a zingy, sweetly perfumed drink that's absolutely irresistible. You might think the margarita is all about lime and tequila: which is true. But the flavor for from the orange liqueur is essential to this famous flavor pairing.

Is triple sec just orange vodka? ›

“Triple sec is very citrusy, almost like an orange-infused vodka. The quality ranges based on the brand.” The alcohol by volume (abv) varies, too, ranging from 15%–40%.

Is triple sec just orange? ›

Both triple sec and Curacao are orange-flavored liqueurs, and today's triple secs are typically clear, while curacao is either clear or sold in a variety of colors, including blue.

Is Grand Marnier and triple sec the same thing? ›

Grand Marnier is different from both a basic triple sec and Cointreau. Grand Marnier is a cognac-based orange spirit. As a refresher, cognac is a special type of brandy. Because this liqueur starts with cognac, it's darker in color than its triple sec cousins, though it has a similar ABV—about 40%.

What does bruising mean in bartending? ›

All liquors bruise when shaken. So what is “bruising” (the gin, or vodka or rum…)? Bruising simply refers to diluting the liquor with the melted ice (water) thus making the drink weaker. Those who prefer their co*cktails shaken like this because it makes for a more smooth drink.

What can I use if I don't have triple sec? ›

Best Triple Sec substitute
  • Cointreau. The best Triple Sec substitute? Cointreau. In fact, Cointreau is considered a type of triple sec style orange liqueur. ...
  • Grand Marnier. Another great Triple Sec substitute? Grand Marnier. ...
  • Orange Curaçao. A final Triple Sec substitute? Orange Curaçao.
6 Dec 2020

Can you substitute orange juice for triple sec in a margarita? ›

You absolutely can. I do this all the time. It's super easy to substitute for triple sec in a margarita. If you don't have triple sec you can use a splash of orange juice or a squeeze of fresh orange.

What is Mcdonalds sweet and sour? ›

McDonald's Sweet 'N Sour blends flavors of apricot and peach flavors with savory spices and leaves a slight lingering heat. This sauce is the perfect Chicken McNuggets® dipping sauce when you want something slightly sweet with a touch of heat. There are 50 calories in a serving of Sweet 'N Sour Sauce at McDonald's.

What are the ingredients in Kraft sweet and sour sauce? ›

Ingredients: High Fructose Corn Syrup, Vinegar, Water, Pineapple Juice Concentrate, Modified Cornstarch, Contains Less than 2% of Salt, Soybean Oil, Dried Green Bell Peppers, Dried Red Bell Peppers, Spice, Oleoresin Paprika.

Is whiskey sour and sweet and sour mix the same thing? ›

Of course Sour Mix, Sweet & Sour Mix, Whiskey Sour Mix, Daiquiri Mix, and even Margarita Mix (for the most part) are all essentially the same thing.

What fruit is used in McDonald's sweet and sour sauce? ›

So you can imagine how we responded to discovering that perhaps one of McDonald's most sought-after sauces: sweet and sour, was made with... (prepare yourselves) apricots. No – really, it's not pineapple, it's not mango. It's apricot.

Why is McDonald's sweet and sour sauce so good? ›

While the sauce, a mainstay of American Chinese restaurants, usually has a tomato-y element, the appeal of the McDonald's version lies in its simpler taste and its use of apricot and peach purée. But it's the texture that makes the sweet-and-sour a work of art.

What brand of sweet and sour sauce does McDonald's use? ›

You Probably Didn't Know This Popular McDonald's Sauce Is Made From Fruit. Mickey D's Sweet 'N Sour Sauce contains this surprising fruit, and a TikTok post about it is going viral. No trip to the Golden Arches is complete without ripping open at least a few sauce packets.

What is authentic sweet and sour sauce made of? ›

While sweet and sour can be found in diverse forms in China, the American version builds upon the simple mixture of sugar, vinegar, and spices with the addition of fruit juice—most commonly pineapple—and ketchup, giving the sauce both its red hue and uniquely Western flavor.

Can you use any whiskey for a whiskey sour? ›

The traditional Whiskey Sour calls for an 80-proof bourbon as the base, which adds a touch of vanilla and oak without overpowering the sweet vs. sour tug-of-war going on in the glass. We made our classic Whiskey Sour with Basil Hayden's, but any mid-range, 80-proof bourbon will do.

Is a whisky sour a man's drink? ›

Whiskey Sour

The name alone takes the cake for ranking among the top manly drinks. A concoction of whiskey and lemon and maybe sugar for the beginners. Not the biggest and baddest of drinks for men, but this can be a refreshing for the summer that is sure to add some bass to your tone when you order the next round.

What kind of person drinks a whiskey sour? ›

Dating all the way back to the 1800s, a Whisky Sour is about as classic a co*cktail as you can get. If you're a Whisky Sour sipper, it's likely that you are very complex; you tend to have many different - sometimes opposing - personality traits and are extremely adaptable in social situations.

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