What is a cordial ingredient?

Cordials are flavoured, sweetened syrups, typically used to add flavour and sweetness to non-alcoholic beverages. They are often made with fruit, herbs, spices, or flowers, and can vary greatly in flavour and sweetness. Common cordial ingredients include:

- Fruit: Fruits such as berries, citrus, stone fruits, and tropical fruits are commonly used to make cordials. The fruit is typically macerated or steeped in alcohol, water, or a combination of both, to extract the flavour and sweetness.

- Herbs: Herbs such as mint, basil, thyme, and rosemary can be used to add a variety of flavours to cordials. Herbs are often steeped in alcohol or water to extract their essential oils and flavour compounds.

- Spices: Spices such as cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and ginger can be used to add warmth and complexity to cordials. Spices are typically ground or crushed before being added to the cordial mixture.

- Flowers: Flowers such as lavender, elderflower, and hibiscus can be used to add floral and delicate flavours to cordials. Flowers are often steeped in alcohol or water to extract their essential oils and flavour compounds.

- Other ingredients: In addition to fruit, herbs, spices, and flowers, cordials can also include a variety of other ingredients such as sweeteners, preservatives, and colouring. Sweeteners such as sugar or honey are typically added to enhance the sweetness of the cordial, while preservatives such as citric acid or potassium sorbate are used to prevent spoilage. Colouring may be added to enhance the visual appeal of the cordial.