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Sweet and Sour Mix

5 from 28 votes
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posted: 03/30/19

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy
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This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy

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!

clear mason jar full of sweet and sour mix with limes and lemons around it on marble counter top

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!

clear margarita glass filled with ice and rimed with salt, mason jar full of sweet and sour mix in the background

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 cocktail that it is!

Does Sweet and Sour Mix Contain Alcohol?

Though it is used to make so  many great cocktails, 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?

overhead view of sweet and sour mix in a clear mason jar with cut up limes and lemons on a marble countertop

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.

clear mason jar full of homemade sweet and sour mix with limes and lemons around it on marble counter top
clear mason jar full of homemade sweet and sour mix with limes and lemons around it on marble counter top
5 from 28 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: cocktails
Cuisine: American
clear mason jar full of homemade sweet and sour mix with limes and lemons around it on marble counter top

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Sweet and Sour Mix

I’d love to see what you made! Tag me @lisasimplejoy and hashtag it #simplejoyrecipes!

Hi! I'm Lisa Longley, and I am committed to giving you simple dinner ideas and recipes that are easy to make; recipes that will fill your home with joy. I am the owner and author of SimpleJoy.com and I'm so glad that you are here.

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  1. Kathy says

    This recipe sounds great. For making individual margaritas, how much mix do you use per individual drink?
    Thanks!

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