How to Make Sour Mix for Cocktails and More

Learn how to make sour mix to level up your cocktail mixing game. We’ll provide you with a quick recipe and some inspiration for using it in cocktails!

The key to bringing your cocktail mixing skills to the next level is having the right mixer on hand. Knowing how to make sour mix yourself spares you that run to the grocery store before your next cocktail party or a spontaneous after-work drink.

Not only is homemade sour mix more delicious than store-bought sour mix, but it also refrains from artificial flavors and citric acid and allows you to stick to organic and fair trade products. On top of that, it is also less expensive. Not into alcoholic drinks? Sour mix is great in alcohol-free cocktails or even for making desserts, such as Italian lemon ice. Just follow the simple steps below and enjoy!

Homemade Sour Mix Recipe

Yield: 4 cups

Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup sugar
• 5 limes or 1 cup lime juice
• 5 lemons or 1 cup lemon juice
• 2 egg whites, optional
• 1-2 ice cubes, optional

Instructions

1. Combine water and sugar over medium heat. Stir until combined and remove from stove. Let cool for 10 minutes.
2. Stir in lime juice and lemon juice until well combined.
3. Stir in 1-2 ice cubes to reduce temperature, or pour into a jar and store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Tips

• For a fresh and authentic taste, use fresh lemon or lime juice over store-bought juice.
• For certain cocktails, you may want a foamy sour mix. Simply mix in 2 egg whites to the cooled mixture and shake to combine. Use right away or no later than two days after.

Variations of Sour Mix

To variate a bit when making sour mix, you can swap lime and lemon for any type of citrus. Next to that, any type of sweetener works: honey, agave nectar, stevia, maple syrup — you name it. Here are some ideas for some unusual, but mouthwatering combinations:

• Grapefruit sour mix: You enjoy a slightly bitter note next to the citrusy flavor? Simply swap lemon and lime with grapefruit or add on top to make a grapefruit sour mix. 
• Pomelo sour mix: As an alternative to traditional citrus fruit, try pomelo. Pomelo is slightly similar to grapefruit but much milder and sweeter.
• Pomegranate sour mix: Although sour mix is great with citrus fruits, it is not limited to those. Adding pomegranate juice to your sour mix can bring in a flavorsome and tart taste.

How To Use Your Sour Mix

While making sour mix is fairly simple, its use is actually quite versatile! We’ll show you a few of our favorites:

• Summer Spritz cocktails: Despite their name, they can be enjoyed at every time of the year. Sour mix will add a nice touch of yellow-green color and a refreshing taste to your cocktail.
• Limoncello Spritz: No more limoncello on hand? Sour mix does the trick! This cocktail is perfect for bringing the taste of summer to any season.
• Lemonade: Not only do cocktails benefit from a tasty sour mix, but you can also use it to spice up your homemade lemonade.
• Homemade slushies: Ever tried making this popular frozen drink at home? Adding sour mix brings in a delicious balance of sweet and sour, that every child and adult is going to love.
• Shaved ice: You don’t even need a blender to make shaved ice. Sour mix is great for a citrusy but sweet flavor in this.

Read More:

• Is Alcohol Vegan? A Guide to Vegan Booze
• The 9 Best Alcohol Alternatives
• Kombucha Cocktails: 3 Recipes to Try in 2022

Tags: Beverages Guide How-To's Recipes