How to Make Homemade Lemon Sour Mix

This is the best lemon sour recipe!

Sometimes store-bought lemon sour mix is full of artificial flavors, so I think whenever you can make your own, go for it! Especially when it is this simple. Make a big batch using this simple recipe and keep this handy bottle of sour mix in the fridge for whenever you are ready to make drinks; it’ll be ready. 

This is especially perfect for when you’re hosting a cocktail party and want to impress your guests by using a homemade sour drink mix!

Ingredients for this lemon sour mix

Here are the ingredients you will need to make this drink mixer. Scroll down to the recipe card for full ingredient measurements. 

• Water: This, combined with the sugar, is used to make homemade simple syrup 
• Sugar: Regular granulated sugar works great. We’ll use part sugar and part water to make the simple syrup.  
• Lemon juice and Lime Juice: Fresh citrus juice will make our sour mix taste much better! Fresh limes and lemons pair so well together, too!

How to make the best lemon sour mix

Here is how to make a homemade lemon sour mix. Scroll down to the recipe card for full instructions! 

1. Pour the white sugar and water into a saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously until the sugar dissolves. 
2. ​Add the lemon juice and fresh lime juice, and stir to combine. 
3. ​Remove from the heat and let it cool down completely.
4. ​Sieve the liquid into a storage container, such as a bottle or mason jar, and store it for later. 

Why do you need to make this recipe?

• This is a quick no-fuss recipe. It takes only a few minutes to make. 
• It uses simple ingredients you probably already have on hand. If you don’t have everything, you can find it at your local grocery store! 
• Making this recipe at home allows you to customize it to your liking. Make it sweeter, more tangy, or whatever else you prefer. 
• This recipe is more budget-friendly because the store-bought version is much more expensive. 
• You can use this lemon sour mix in lots of cocktails, so it’s super versatile. It’s also a great starting point for a homemade syrup station. Pair it with this sugar cookie syrup, this brown sugar syrup, or this white mocha sauce for your coffee drinks too.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ

What is a lemon sour mix?

A lemon sour mix is a pre-made mixture used in cocktails, typically containing lemon juice and a sweetener. It is a convenient way to add the sour and sweet elements to a drink without juicing fresh lemons and measuring sugar or simple syrup each time.

Lemon sour mix can vary in sweetness and tartness depending on the brand and recipe. It is commonly used in cocktails like whiskey sours, margaritas, and other sour-style drinks.

How to store this lemon sour mix?

You can store this lemon sour mix in a tall syrup glass, or you can even put it in a mason jar. Store in the fridge for 2-3 weeks. 

Can I add different citrus fruits to this sour mix?

Of course! Delicious variations include adding grapefruit juice or orange juice. You could also mix in some blood oranges, key limes, yuzu, or even tangerines!

What drinks can be made with this Lemon sour recipe?

Here are some of the crowd-favorite cocktail recipes that can be made with lemon sour:

• Frozen mango margaritas
• Boston sour
• Whiskey sour
• Lemon drop martini
• Vodka Collins
• Amaretto sour
• Rum cocktails
• Japanese lemon sour
• New York Sour
• Tom Collins

You can even use it in homemade lemonade or shake it into a batch of creamy lemonade if you don’t want an alcoholic drink! I did this and it turned out so good!

Can I use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh lemon juice?

While fresh lemon juice is preferred for the best flavor, bottled lemon juice can be used as a substitute if fresh lemons and limes are not available.

Does sour mix have alcohol in It?

This mix doesn’t have any alcohol in it, but it can be used in your favorite cocktails, which can have alcohol if you are using alcoholic drinks. I also like to make a non-alcoholic sour cocktail.

Is sour mix the same as margarita mix?

The two are very similar, but the margarita mix is made with part simple syrup and part lime juice, while this one is made with fresh lemon and lime juice and simple syrup.