Sour mix

A generic bar bottle of sour mix, served with a lemon wheel

Sour mix (also known as sweet-and-sour mix) is a non-alcoholic drink mixer used to provide a set mix of acidic and sweet components to cocktails. While a traditional recipe consists of equal parts lemon and/or lime juice mixed with simple syrup, prepackaged commercial varieties can vary and often contain artificial flavors, colors, and/or preservatives. The primary purpose of sour mix is to simplify beverage making by replacing two separate ingredients (a sweetener and a sour citrus juice) with a single, pre-blended ingredient.

Sour mix can be mixed with liquor(s) to make a sour drink; the most common are vodka sour (vodka) and whiskey sour (whiskey). It may also be served neat or with juice, club soda, etc., as a soft drink.

Pre-mixed versions are available and are used in many bars. These typically consist of a powder that must be rehydrated by adding water prior to use.

See also

• List of cocktails
• Tom Collins