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Cookbook:Sour Mix

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Cookbook | Ingredients | Recipes

Sour mix is a mixer used in many cocktails, notably the Long Island Iced Tea family. It is made from approximately equal parts lemon and/or lime juice and simple syrup and shaken vigorously with ice. This produces a pearly-white liquid with a pronounced flavour. Egg white may be added as a foaming agent, to improve the texture of the finished product. Pre-mixed versions are available, and are in use in many bars - these typically consist of a powder which must be rehydrated by adding water prior to use.

One of the earliest known printed references to the word "cocktail" described a drink made from "Spirit of any kind, sugar, water and bitters". This is very similar to the drink that would these days be known as sours - a spirit or liqueur, shaken vigorously with ice, lemon juice and sugar.


  • One cup of sugar
  • One egg white
  • Two cups of water
  • Two cups of lemon juice, preferably freshly squeezed

Alternately, try this "vegan" recipe:

  1. 2 parts lime juice
  2. 2 parts simple syrup (sugar water)
  3. 1 part orange juice
  4. 1 part lemon juice


  1. Whisk egg white (unless preparing vegan version) in a medium-sized bowl until frothy
  2. Stir in the sugar and water or simple syrup
  3. Add the lemon juice (and lime and orange juices if using)
  4. Stir all ingredients well

Store the mix refrigerated and use within three days of making it.