Anyone packing a sealed drink
If you want to open a drink without finding water or mixing it, choose a ready-to-drink format. Check the pack: a multipack of bottles does not meet a requirement for cans.
Who needs which format?
Cordial drinkers carrying a reusable bottle
A concentrate is practical if you have water available and are happy to dilute it. Check the mixing instructions and the nutrition information for the prepared drink.
Shoppers checking sugar or ingredients
Read the label on the exact product. ASDA lists different sugar amounts for two prepared Robinsons drinks, and both reviewed products contain sulphites.
What should you check before buying?
Start with the pack format, then check what a cordial needs to prepare it and what its label says about the finished drink.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Pack format | Check whether each unit is ready to drink and whether the multipack contains cans or bottles. A cordial concentrate requires water and a container for mixing. | I want to put a sealed drink in my gym bag and open it without preparation. |
| Prepared drink | Follow the stated dilution ratio and compare nutrition for the same prepared volume. ASDA lists 0g sugars per 250ml diluted serving for Robinsons Double Strength Apple & Blackcurrant No Added Sugar at 1:9 dilution, and 10g per 250ml for Robinsons Lime & Mint at 1:6. | If I choose cordial, I want to know what is in the drink after mixing, not just what is in the concentrate. |
| Ingredients | Check the current pack for sweeteners and allergens. The reviewed Robinsons cordials listed by ASDA contain sulphites; their ingredient lists are not interchangeable. | I need to check whether the exact drink contains an ingredient I avoid. |
| Storage and mixing | Check the dilution instructions, access to water and directions for storage after opening. Waitrose says its listed Belvoir Lemon & Lime No Added Sugar Cordial should be refrigerated after opening and used within three weeks. | I can prepare a drink before leaving, but I need to know how to store the opened bottle. |
Common buying mistakes
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Buying concentrate when you need a drink to open straight away
The cordial products listed by ASDA need diluting, so they do not offer the same packing routine as a sealed, ready-to-drink bottle or can.
Choose a ready-to-drink multipack if you do not want to mix a drink; otherwise, check that you can carry a bottle and obtain water.
Using cordial away from home means carrying a mixing bottle and having water available.
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Assuming all cordials have the same sugar content
ASDA lists 0g sugars per 250ml diluted serving for Robinsons Double Strength Apple & Blackcurrant No Added Sugar, compared with 10g per 250ml for Robinsons Lime & Mint.
Compare the nutrition panels for equal volumes of prepared drink and follow each product’s dilution instructions.
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Reading “no added sugar” as an ingredient or allergen guarantee
The Robinsons No Added Sugar product listed by ASDA contains sweeteners and sulphites. The M&S elderflower cordial listing also identifies sulphites.
Check the current physical pack for ingredients and allergens relevant to you.
Cordial brand references
These examples are concentrates to dilute with water, rather than individually sealed drinks for a gym bag.
Robinsons
The two Robinsons products listed by ASDA show why the precise cordial and its dilution ratio matter.
- Double Strength Apple & Blackcurrant No Added Sugar lists 0g sugars and 5kcal per 250ml diluted serving at 1:9 dilution.
- Lime & Mint lists 10g sugars per 250ml diluted serving at 1:6 dilution. Both listed products contain sulphites and need water for preparation.
Belvoir
Waitrose lists Belvoir Lemon & Lime No Added Sugar Cordial as a 500ml bottle to dilute at 1:6.
- The stated dilution ratio gives a specific instruction for preparing the drink.
- Waitrose says to refrigerate it after opening and use it within three weeks; it is not an individually sealed can.
M&S
M&S describes its cordials as drinks to dilute with still or sparkling water.
- Its listed elderflower cordial comes in a 500ml bottle.
- The elderflower product lists E223 sulphites, so check the current pack if this ingredient matters to you.
Joybuy bottled-water option for a gym bag
This six-bottle water multipack is a ready-to-drink option for a gym bag. It is neither cordial nor a multipack of cans.
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evian Mineral Water 6x500ml
Six individual 500ml bottles offer a drink you can pack without diluting cordial. This is bottled mineral water, not cordial or a pack of cans.
Frequently asked questions
Is a cordial multipack the same as a pack of ready-to-drink cans?
No. The cordial listings in Tesco’s reviewed category are bottles, while its multipack soft-drinks category lists ready-to-drink cans. Check an individual product’s description if you specifically want both cordial and a multi-can format.
What if I want a drink after exercise but not cordial?
A ready-to-drink water multipack avoids the dilution step. The NHS advises drinking extra fluids if you have been sweating from physical activity; check whether the pack contains the bottles or cans you want to carry.
How do I compare sugar in different cordials?
Compare the same volume of prepared drink and follow each dilution ratio. ASDA lists 0g sugars per 250ml diluted serving for Robinsons Double Strength Apple & Blackcurrant No Added Sugar at 1:9 dilution, versus 10g per 250ml for Robinsons Lime & Mint at 1:6.
What should I check if I avoid sulphites?
Check the current physical-pack label before choosing a cordial. The Robinsons products listed by ASDA and the M&S elderflower cordial listing identify sulphites.