If you’re on the lookout for some healthy drink ideas, you might have been surprised to find that cordials make the list. If you're asking yourself "Are these really healthy?", don't worry - you are not alone. The truth is, the answer to your question is complicated: it's both yes and no!
So let’s take a closer look at cordial drinks and identify the ones that are surprisingly very good for you with this guide to cordials.
What is a cordial and what is it used for?
Did you know that cordials are different things in the UK and the US?
There are fruity and boozy cordials
In the UK, a cordial refers to a sweet, concentrated fruit juice or syrup that is mixed with water (still or carbonated) to create a sweet beverage. It may also be known as a sweetened distilled spirit for an alcoholic drink in the US. While they can both make a syrupy drink, we’re going to discuss the non-alcoholic concentrated syrup commonly used in the UK.
Syrupy concentrates are infused with fruits and botanicals. They are bursting with flavour and are typically diluted with water, however, fruit cordials can be used to make creative drinks too.
This is the benefit of fruit cordials: they are versatile. While they differ from the ones used to create an alcoholic beverage, you can still add them to a cocktail if you fancy some juicy flavour. They’re also great for cooking, especially for flavoursome desserts.
And there are fermented cordials
On the other hand, you can find fermented cordials too. They also taste delicious but once mixed with water, they become nutritious drinks. So, while a fruit cordial makes water more enjoyable thanks to the fruity flavour and sugar, fermented cordials like JIN JIN have wonderful health benefits.
They’re not only healthier because they create low-sugar drinks, but they also have a positive impact on your digestive system. This is thanks to the healthy bacteria and enzymes that are a result of the fermentation process.
If boosting your gut health is something you’re interested in, the best cordials would be from JIN JIN’s range as they’re packed full of health-affirming plants. Healthy flavoured beverages are now on the cards if you're looking for a quick healthy drink other than water.
Cordial vs squash: what’s the difference?
If you’re from the UK, you’re now probably wondering what the difference is between cordial and squash. They are similar and the word cordial is often used interchangeably but to be clear, let’s look at "cordial vs squash" in more detail.
Firstly, what exactly is squash?
Squash is a popular soft drink that is made from a mixture of water and fruit juice concentrate. They mimic real fruit juice (like freshly squeezed orange juice) but ultimately, they have a high sugar content and contain very little nutrients compared to pure juice.
This is because healthy juices tend to be cold pressed to retain the vitamins whereas squash can contain preservatives, added sugar and flavourings. Squash is simply enjoyed as a quick way to add fruity flavour to water.
How is squash different from cordial?
A cordial can be a syrupy liqueur, fruit-infused concentrate or gut-friendly tonic. And while cordials don’t exactly create sugar-free drinks, they can be much lower in sugar especially if you opt for a fermented cordial.
Ultimately, the difference between a cordial and a squash comes down to the intention. If you want to sweeten up your water, you’ll probably reach for squash. That’s unless you’re seeking a healthier option, then you’d reach for tasty fermented cordials.
How to serve and how to store cordials
There are two important parts of drinking cordials. Firstly, you’ve got to know how to make these delicious drinks. Secondly, you should know how to store your cordials so they taste just as good each time you pour yourself a glass.
Serving is personal
As mentioned, cordials can be a dynamic ingredient in your kitchen. Add them to water or get creative by adding them to cocktails and smoothies.
If you’re opting for a refreshingly delicious fermented cordial, you might enjoy it with fizzy water and a generous squeeze of lime. The recommended ratio to start with is one part cordial to ten parts water (1:10) but you can adjust this to your liking.
Storage is simple
As for storing cordials, they don’t need to be refrigerated which saves you precious space. Keep them in your cupboards or bar cart and know that they’ll be happy there for up to 18 months.
When it comes to fermented cordials like JIN JIN, storage advice differs slightly. Natural enzyme drinks contain living beneficial bacteria which can survive between 4-40°C. This means you should store cordial bottles in a cool dry place and away from direct sunlight. Due to the living nature of this product, fermented cordials should be consumed within six months.
Get cordials to your door with subscriptions
Whether you are looking to improve your gut health or you’re cutting down on alcoholic drinks, there are subscription services that make keeping that healthy habit easier.
You might not be able to pick the exact cordial you want during every supermarket visit. Yet with a subscription service, you save the hassle of remembering to order a new bottle each time. Plus, it comes straight to your door!
Fermented cordial JIN JIN is so full of health benefits that it can be considered an all-natural energy drink and the convenience of a subscription service is available on all products. The added bonus? You save up to 15% on the cost.
Finally, some clarity on cordials!
So if you found yourself lost in the world of drinks and you didn’t know your lemon squash from your fermented cordial, hopefully, this guide has brought some clarity.
On the surface, there doesn’t seem to be much difference between squash and cordials but now you have all this refreshing knowledge. Hopefully, you're now also assured that there are healthy options out there for upgrading your water and, if health is on your agenda, make sure to stop by JIN JIN’s range of delicious cordials.