Beverages, Whiskey sour mix, bottled
Whole food · Beverages
Photo: Wikipedia
This bottled, pre-made mix is a sweet, tangy, and often neon-yellow or amber liquid designed to instantly create a classic whiskey sour cocktail. It delivers a punchy, artificial citrus flavor with a syrupy, smooth texture, and its primary nutritional feature is being almost entirely composed of simple sugars.
Calorie split: 0% protein · 99% carbs · 1% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its nostalgic, retro bar appeal and the sheer ease of making a familiar cocktail at home without squeezing lemons or measuring simple syrup. Its bold, recognizable flavor is a staple for casual gatherings and quick drinks.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high sugar content (21.4g per 100g) can lead to rapid blood sugar spikes and contributes empty calories, making it unsuitable for those managing diabetes or calorie intake. The artificial flavor and color additives are a downside for those preferring natural ingredients. To counteract, use it sparingly as a modifier, not the main volume; pair your cocktail with a protein-rich snack to slow sugar absorption.
Key benefits
- Provides instant cocktail preparation convenience
- Offers a consistent, predictable sour-sweet flavor profile
- Shelf-stable and ready to use without fresh ingredients
- Low in fat and protein, making it a pure carbohydrate source
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The classic whiskey sour recipe predates the bottled mix by over a century, with the earliest known published recipe appearing in Jerry Thomas's 1862 'How to Mix Drinks,' which called for fresh lemon juice and sugar.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 78.2 g |
| Energy | 87.0 kcal |
| Energy | 364 kj |
| Protein | 0.10 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.10 g |
| Ash | 0.20 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 21.4 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 21.4 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 2.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.11 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 1.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 6.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 28.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 102 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.07 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.00 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.00 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.40 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 2.7 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.01 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.01 mg |
| Niacin | 0.00 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.01 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.00 mg |
| Folate, total | 0.00 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 0.00 ug |
| Choline, total | 0.90 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 0.00 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.01 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Beverages, carbonated, tonic water — USDA does not publish this profile for Beverages.
| Tryptophan | 0.00 g |
| Threonine | 0.00 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.00 g |
| Leucine | 0.00 g |
| Lysine | 0.00 g |
| Methionine | 0.00 g |
| Cystine | 0.00 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.00 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.00 g |
| Valine | 0.00 g |
| Arginine | 0.00 g |
| Histidine | 0.00 g |
| Alanine | 0.00 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.00 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.00 g |
| Glycine | 0.00 g |
| Proline | 0.00 g |
| Serine | 0.00 g |
FAQ
How does bottled whiskey sour mix differ from a homemade version?
Bottled mixes use high-fructose corn syrup or sugar, citric acid, and artificial flavors/colors for shelf stability and consistency. Homemade versions use fresh lemon juice, simple syrup (or sugar), and sometimes egg white for a richer texture and brighter, more nuanced flavor.
Can I use this mix for anything besides a whiskey sour?
Yes, it's a versatile sour component. Use it to make Amaretto Sours, add a tangy kick to fruit punches, or as a glaze for grilled chicken or pork by reducing it slightly.
Is the yellow color natural?
Typically, no. The bright yellow or amber hue in most commercial mixes comes from added food coloring like Yellow 5 or caramel color, not from actual citrus juice.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 0.87 kcal/g · 0% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 21.4 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 3.64 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.