Collins Stone Sour 1L

Collins Stone Sour 1L is a 1-liter non-alcoholic cocktail mixer (less than 0.5% ABV) built on real orange juice and lemon juice concentrates. What distinguishes it from standard sweet-and-sour mixes is the inclusion of 19% real juice and the absence of high fructose corn syrup, using real sugar instead.

Quick Facts: ABV: <0.5% (Non-Alcoholic Mixer)  |  Origin: USA  |  Category: Cocktail Mixer  |  Brand: Collins

Production & Ingredients

Collins is an American cocktail mixer brand known for its bar-quality ingredients. The Stone Sour formula combines water, sugar, orange juice concentrate, lemon juice concentrate, citric acid, natural flavors, and lemon oils. Unlike many mass-market sour mixes that rely on high fructose corn syrup and artificial coloring, Collins uses real sugar and beta carotene for color, with sodium benzoate and sodium metabisulfite as preservatives. The result is a mixer with genuine citrus character rather than the one-dimensional sweetness common in the category.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh orange peel leads, followed by tart lemon and a subtle sugary sweetness. The citrus notes read as natural rather than synthetic.

Taste: The initial sip delivers bright orange juice flavor that quickly transitions into a tart lemon backbone at mid-palate. Sweetness is present but measured, with the real juice providing a richer mouthfeel and fruity depth that artificial mixes lack. Some palates may find the concentrate quite bold on its own.

Finish: A lingering citrus tartness balances the residual sugar. The orange component fades last, leaving a clean, slightly pulpy impression.

How to Use Collins Stone Sour

This mixer is designed to be combined with a base spirit — traditionally whiskey or bourbon — to create a Stone Sour cocktail. Simply pour 3–4 ounces of the mix over ice with 1.5–2 ounces of your chosen spirit and stir or shake. Beyond the classic Stone Sour:

• Whiskey Sour: Pair with bourbon for a citrus-forward riff on the classic; the real orange juice adds depth that plain sour mix cannot.
• Amaretto Sour: Combine with amaretto and a splash of bourbon for a nutty, citrus-balanced cocktail where the orange concentrate complements the almond notes.
• Tequila Stone Sour: Swap in blanco tequila for a brighter, agave-driven variation that plays well against the orange and lemon base.

Best For

• Stocking a home bar with higher-quality mixers
• Hosting cocktail parties where speed and consistency matter
• Bartenders seeking a reliable sour base without mixing fresh juice in high-volume settings
• Gifting alongside a bottle of bourbon as a ready-to-mix cocktail kit

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Collins Stone Sour taste like? It tastes like a concentrated blend of orange and lemon juice balanced with real sugar — noticeably more citrus-forward and less artificially sweet than many competing sour mixes.

How does Collins Stone Sour compare to Master of Mixes Tom Collins Mix? Collins Stone Sour contains 19% real juice and uses no high fructose corn syrup, while Master of Mixes products vary in juice content and sweetener type. The Stone Sour also leans more heavily on orange juice, giving it a distinctly richer, fruitier profile compared to a standard lemon-forward Collins mixer.

Is Collins Stone Sour good for making whiskey sours? Yes — the real orange and lemon juice base was specifically designed to pair with whiskey and bourbon, making it a convenient shortcut to a well-balanced Whiskey Sour or Stone Sour without squeezing fresh citrus.

Where is Collins Stone Sour made? Collins Stone Sour is produced in the United States. The Collins brand is an American cocktail mixer company focused on bar-quality ingredients for home and professional use.

What spirits pair well with Collins Stone Sour? Bourbon and rye whiskey are the traditional choices, letting the citrus balance the grain's warmth. Amaretto pairs well for a sweeter cocktail. Blanco tequila creates a bright, refreshing variation, and brandy works for a fruit-forward after-dinner drink.

What sizes does Collins Stone Sour come in? The 1-liter (approximately 33.8 fl oz) bottle is the standard size widely available for this product.

Is Collins Stone Sour worth the price? Collins Stone Sour positions as a mid-range cocktail mixer that justifies its price through real juice content and the absence of high fructose corn syrup — a meaningful upgrade over budget sour mixes for anyone who notices the difference between real and artificial citrus in their cocktails.

Why Collins Stone Sour?

The defining feature of this mixer is its 19% real juice content, which sets it apart from the many sour mixes that rely entirely on citric acid and artificial flavors for their tartness. The use of real sugar rather than high fructose corn syrup results in a cleaner sweetness that integrates more naturally with spirits. For anyone making Stone Sours, Whiskey Sours, or Amaretto Sours at home, it eliminates the need to juice fresh oranges and lemons without sacrificing the authentic citrus character that makes these cocktails work. In a crowded mixer category, the Collins Stone Sour earns its spot by delivering genuine fruit flavor in a convenient, shelf-stable format.