20 minutes
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by Lisa Longley
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posted: 03/30/19
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This Sweet and Sour Mix is easy to make with only three ingredients and it is the key to making the BEST margaritas! It keeps in the refrigerator for about a week and makes two pitchers of margaritas. Or you can keep it in the freezer for a month!
What is the Key to the Perfect Margarita?
With Cinco de Mayo just around the corner, I know a lot of you are going to be making big ole pitchers of margaritas. I mean, I know I am. But before you get there, there is a really important step you need to do: Make a big batch of this Sweet and Sour Mix!
So What is Sweet and Sour Mix?
This is basically a lemon-lime simple syrup, combining sugar and water with lime and lemon juice. It is the key to my amazing margaritas that has so many great reviews!
It’s also makes my Amaretto Sour the amazing co*cktail that it is!
Does Sweet and Sour Mix Contain Alcohol?
Though it is used to make so many great co*cktails, sweet and sour drink mix itself does not have any alcohol in it. It would be a great ingredient to use if you are going to make Virgin Margaritas.
What Drinks do you Make with Sweet and Sour Mix?
- As mentioned above, you can make my margarita recipe.
- It’s also amazing in my Strawberry Margaritas.
- I love it in this great Amaretto Sour.
- This is amazing in a Long Island Iced Tea.
- If you live in Wisconsin, you might use it to make an Old Fashioned!
How to Make Homemade Sweet and Sour Mix
- Start with a cup of granulated sugar.
- Add water and simmer over medium heat until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Next, add half a cup each of fresh lemon and lime juice. You’ll need about seven plump lemons and limes. Helpful tip alert! Microwave your fruit for about ten seconds and then roll on the counter with your hand to get those juices flowing.
- Your Sweet and Sour Mix is now ready! You can store it in a sealed container in the fridge for about a week, or even longer in the freezer.
This recipe makes enough for about 2 pitchers of margaritas, using 1 1/4 cup for each pitcher.
5 from 26 votes
Sweet and Sour Mix
(tap # to scale)
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 20 minutes
This Sweet and Sour Mix is easy to make with only three ingredients and it is the key to making the BEST margaritas! It keeps in the refrigerator for about a week and makes two pitchers of margaritas. Or you can keep it in the freezer for a month!
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup fresh lime juice about 7 limes
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice about 2 lemons
Instructions
Simmer 2 cups of water and 1 cup of granulated sugar over medium heat until it is fully dissolved.
Pour it into a jar and let it come to room temperature.
Add 1/2 cup of lemon juice and 1/2 cup lime juice.
Store it in a sealed container for a week or for up to a month in the freezer.
Notes
Calorie information is for 1 1/4 cup, what you need for one pitcher of margaritas.
Calories: 416kcal (21%) Carbohydrates: 109g (36%) Sodium: 8mg Potassium: 137mg (4%) Sugar: 102g (113%) Vitamin C: 57.8mg (70%) Calcium: 20mg (2%) Iron: 0.2mg (1%)
Author: Lisa Longley
Course: co*cktails
Cuisine: American
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Sweet and Sour Mix
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Reader Interactions
Suzanne says
And of course I did not read instructions completely and dumped it all in the pan together. Will that affect the taste?
Reply
Lisa Longley saysSo, I haven’t done that and can’t say for sure. But! It might be okay. The lemon and lime juice don’t need to be cooked and cooking citrus can really change the taste of it. So that’s the concern. You might just have to taste it at the end and see if it is too bitter or has that great sweet and sour taste still.
Reply
Suzanne Kiser says
It was fine! The amaretto sours were a huge hit!
Reply
Cindi says
Can you substitute spends to make this recipe?
Reply
- Lisa Longley says
I haven’t tried that Cindi. If you do, let me know how it goes.
Reply
Sandra says
Lisa, can the Sweet and Sour mix be made using the bottled Reallemon and Reallime liquid instead of the fresh juice?
Reply
Sharon Wagner says
Your recipes are so “Simple” and easy to make. I save almost all of them for future or tonight. I don’t think I’ve had a delete yet. And I love how easy they all are. (I’m not a beginner cook at 70+ years of practice.)
Reply
- Lisa Longley says
Oh thank you Sharon! I’m so happy to hear this!
Reply
Rebecca Fredman says
Love this recipe, and as a non cook type, I trialed half the recipe. ALso wanting to reduce sugar, I used a substitute, without needing the heat to disolve it. I used a lime liquid, 1 orange, 1 lemon. Loved being able to whip this up while in lockdown, as leaving home for margarita ingredients is not considered essential.
Reply
Jeanette Maya says
This is by FAR the best sweet and sour mix recipe I’ve come across! Tried and true! It really is the KEY to my most loved Cadillac margarita :) Thank you!
Reply
- Lisa Longley says
I’m so glad that you like it! And I agree completely, it is the key to a good margarita.
Reply
Deanne says
I just tried this and such a simple but delicious Sour!
I will never by another Sour mix again, thank you!Reply
- Lisa Longley says
I’m so happy you liked it!
Reply
Julie T says
What is your margarita recipe when using this s&s mix? I’d like to know the ratio of alcohol to the 1.25c of mix for a pitcher.
Reply
- Lisa Longley says
You can get my margarita recipe here: Margarita Recipe.
Reply
Krys lytton says
Easy to follow instructions and measurements were spot on. Great recipe! Thank youuuuu.Reply
- Lisa Longley says
I’m so glad you liked it!
Reply
buck wheat says
i used to buy a case of sunkist sweet and sour lemon mix, last one was 75 dollars around 2016, stored in the fridge, and i’m just now getting into the last bottle, and it’s as delicious as it was 8 or 9 yrs ago. now i find it at $157 but that’s if they’re not out. your recipe caught my attention. i could now simply get the lemons and limes, probably a lot cheaper. i like everything in concentration. margaritas-in a blender about a cup of cuervo gold, or 1800, a shot of triple sec, big shot, handful or more frozen whole strawberries, done. (buy pineapple or watermelon on sale and slice it 2 inch thick disc cutting off the rinds, and freeze in plastic bag no prep and if they’re not loaded with flavor put a half gallon artificial drink mix packet strawberry, watermelon or fruit punch, dusted over it will lite its fire,) i used to put a coors beer in it the blender with it, as it makes a smoother antifreeze effect, and they get better and better, after the first one, pitcher makes about 2 double shot margi glasses. that’ll set you free!Reply
LEAVE A COMMENT
Greetings co*cktail enthusiasts! I'm here to guide you through the intricacies of crafting the perfect Sweet and Sour Mix, a vital component in creating exceptional margaritas and other delightful co*cktails. My expertise in mixology stems from a deep understanding of the fundamental principles and a wealth of hands-on experience in the world of beverages.
Let's dissect the key elements of this enticing article on Sweet and Sour Mix:
Sweet and Sour Mix: The Heart of the Margarita
1. Overview of Sweet and Sour Mix
- Definition: Sweet and Sour Mix is essentially a lemon-lime simple syrup, blending sugar, water, lime juice, and lemon juice.
- Function: It serves as a crucial ingredient in various co*cktails, including margaritas and Amaretto Sours.
2. Key Features
- Composition: Consists of granulated sugar, water, fresh lime juice (about 7 limes), and fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons).
- Storage: Can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for approximately a week or in the freezer for up to a month.
- Quantity: The recipe yields enough for two pitchers of margaritas, using 1 1/4 cups for each pitcher.
3. Margarita and Beyond
- Role in Margaritas: Described as the "key to making the BEST margaritas," the Sweet and Sour Mix enhances the flavor profile of margaritas, making them exceptional.
- Versatility: Besides margaritas, it complements other co*cktails like Strawberry Margaritas, Amaretto Sours, and Long Island Iced Tea.
- Regional Variation: In Wisconsin, it might be used in an Old Fashioned co*cktail.
4. Preparation Steps
- Simmering Process: Involves simmering 2 cups of water and 1 cup of granulated sugar until fully dissolved over medium heat.
- Citrus Addition: After cooling, fresh lemon and lime juice are added to the sugar syrup.
- Storage: The final mix is stored in a sealed container in the fridge for about a week or in the freezer for an extended shelf life.
5. Nutritional Information
- Caloric Content: Each 1 1/4 cup serving contains approximately 416 calories, with a breakdown of other nutritional components such as carbohydrates, sodium, potassium, and vitamin C.
User Interactions and Testimonials
The article is enriched by real-life user interactions and testimonials, showcasing the recipe's popularity and success among readers. Questions about ingredient substitutions, recipe variations, and positive feedback attest to the community's engagement and satisfaction.
In summary, mastering the art of Sweet and Sour Mix is the gateway to elevating your co*cktail game, and with this recipe, you're well on your way to creating mixologist-worthy margaritas and more. Cheers to your mixology adventures!
