Where “Cordial” Comes From
Cordial is a concentrated sweet fruit syrup that you dilute with water, usually cold, to make a drink. Common flavours are raspberry, lime, orange and lemon.
It’s a childhood staple, served in jugs at barbecues and parties and sold in bottles in every supermarket.
“Mix some cordial with cold water.”
How Aussies Actually Use It
You’ll hear it at barbecues, parties and in the supermarket.
In Real Life
A jug of cordial on a hot day is the Australian way to quench thirst without a fizzy drink. Families keep a big bottle in the fridge or pantry, and kids learn how strong they like it. Some brands are very old and well loved. Because it’s concentrated, it’s cheap and goes a long way.
Quick Questions
What is cordial?
A sweet fruit syrup you mix with water to make a drink.
Is Australian cordial the same as in the UK?
Yes, in the UK “squash” is also used. In the US, the word means something different.
Say It Like an Aussie
Say it: KOR-jul.
In conversation:
- Do you want some raspberry cordial?
- Mum made a jug of cordial.
- The kids drank lemon cordial at the party.
Good to know: In other countries, “cordial” can mean something else, so visitors can be confused. In Australia it’s a soft-drink syrup you add water to.
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