Homemade Sweet and Sour Cocktail Mix (with Variations)
This easy recipe for a homemade sweet and sour mix uses fresh lemons, lime, and a quickly made simple syrup. It comes together in a matter of minutes and it will keep you from using store-bought mixes ever again!
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Equipment
- 1 citrus press
- 1 1.5-quart saucepan
- 1 fine mesh sieve optional
Ingredients
- 6 whole lemons enough to get 1 cup of juice
- 8 whole limes enough to get 1 cup of juice
- 150 g granulated sugar 3/4 cup
- 177 g filtered water 3/4 cup
Instructions
- Combine 150 g granulated sugar and 177 g cup filtered water in a 1.5-quart saucepan. (3/4 cup sugar + 3/4 cup water)
- Place the saucepan over medium heat until it reaches a simmer.
- Lower the heat to medium-low and simmer until the sugar is completely dissolved. Remove the pan from heat and allow to cool. You should have about a cup of syrup.
- While the syrup cools, juice about 6 lemons and about 8 limes, until you have 1 cup of each kind of juice.
- Strain your juices through a fine mesh sieve to remove the pulp, if desired.
- When the syrup is completely cooled, combine the syrup and both the lemon and lime juice in a pitcher or other airtight container.
- Store the sweet and sour mix in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Use it in any cocktails you like!
Notes
Variations
- If you want to make a margarita mix, replace the lemons with more limes.
- If you want to make a classic lemon sour mix, use only lemons in place of any limes.
- Try switching things up by using a blend of juices, like orange juice, tangerine juice, grapefruit juice, blood orange juice, or more tropical fruit juices like passion fruit and pineapple!
Troubleshooting
- too sour or bitter - make sure your citrus is ripe and fresh. Overripe or spoiled citrus will be bitter.
- saline solution - use a homemade saline solution for drinks to offset any extreme sour flavors.
- more simple syrup - you can also add in more simple syrup to balance the sour flavor.
Nutrition
Calories: 16kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 0.004gFat: 0.01gSodium: 0.3mgPotassium: 1mgFiber: 0.01gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 0.1IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 0.3mgIron: 0.005mg
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Keyword: lemon, lime, simple syrup, sour mix, sweet and sour, sweet and sour mix