Beverages, Whiskey sour mix, powder
Whole food · Beverages
Photo: Wikipedia
This is a finely milled, intensely sweet powder designed to instantly create a whiskey sour cocktail when mixed with whiskey and water. Its texture is smooth and free-flowing, dissolving quickly into a bright, tart, and sugary syrup with a characteristic artificial lemon flavor. Nutritionally, it is almost pure carbohydrate, providing a rapid burst of energy with virtually no protein, fat, or fiber.
Calorie split: 1% protein · 99% carbs · 0% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its sheer convenience and nostalgic, reliable flavor that instantly evokes a classic bar cocktail. It offers a perfectly balanced sweet-and-sour taste with zero effort, making it a staple for quick entertaining.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The extreme sugar content (97.3g per 100g) can cause rapid blood-sugar spikes, and the flavor is often perceived as artificial compared to fresh ingredients. To counteract this, use strict portion control (e.g., 1-2 tablespoons per drink), pair the cocktail with a protein-rich snack, or consider it an occasional treat rather than a regular mixer.
Key benefits
- Instant cocktail preparation
- Long shelf life as a dry powder
- Consistent flavor profile
- No fresh fruit preparation needed
- Lightweight and easy to store
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The powdered mix was popularized in the mid-20th century as part of the 'home bar' movement, offering a foolproof way to replicate the complex sweet-sour balance of a cocktail without needing to source lemons or simple syrup.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 0.60 g |
| Energy | 383 kcal |
| Energy | 1602 kj |
| Protein | 0.60 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.10 g |
| Ash | 1.4 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 97.3 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 97.3 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 272 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.39 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 19.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 13.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 19.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 274 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.14 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.13 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.00 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.60 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 2.7 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.01 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.00 mg |
| Niacin | 0.00 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.06 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 |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.01 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 2.0 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 30.0 iu |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.02 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.01 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.04 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.03 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.01 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 is powdered whiskey sour mix different from the bottled liquid version?
The powdered version is more concentrated and shelf-stable, requiring only water and whiskey to reconstitute. Bottled mixes are pre-diluted and often contain preservatives, while the powder is primarily sugar, citric acid, and flavorings.
Can I use this powder for anything other than cocktails?
Yes, it can be used as a flavoring for frostings, glazes for cakes or chicken, or to make a quick lemonade-style drink by mixing with cold water instead of alcohol.
Why does it have zero fiber?
The powder is made from refined sugars and processed flavorings, which contain no plant-based fiber. The original fruit juice or pulp is not included in the manufacturing process.
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 3.83 kcal/g · 1% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 97.3 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: 14.42 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.