Hosts making drinks for a family BBQ
A concentrate lets you mix more than one jug. Check the dilution instructions and the no-added-sugar claim on the particular bottle you plan to serve.
Who is this choice for?
Shoppers looking for a citrus cordial
If lime or lemon-and-lime cordial is the requirement, check the product’s format as well as its sweetener, ingredients and mixing directions. A fruit squash is a different choice.
Households happy to serve squash
No-added-sugar squash offers fruit-flavour alternatives to citrus cordial. Check the exact product name: Robinsons distinguishes its squash from its classic cordials, which it says contain added sugar.
What should you check before buying?
Decide whether the drink must be a true cordial, then compare the instructions and ingredients on the bottles that meet that requirement.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Drink format | Look for “no added sugar” on the exact product and distinguish cordial from squash. Robinsons says its classic cordials contain added sugar, even though most of its squash range has no added sugar. | I want a citrus cordial, not just a concentrated fruit drink — or I’m happy to serve squash instead. |
| Jug preparation | Follow the bottle’s dilution ratio and stated servings. Sainsbury’s and Waitrose suggest one part of their no-added-sugar lime cordials to four parts water; online directions for Belvoir’s lemon-and-lime cordial differ, so use its current bottle. | Several guests will be drinking it, and I want to mix each jug to the same instructions. |
| Nutrition basis | Compare sugars or other nutrition values at the dilution stated on each label, using the same volume basis. A no-added-sugar claim does not mean the drink contains no sugars: Waitrose says its lime cordial contains naturally occurring sugars. | I need to compare the drink as served, rather than concentrate values or bottle sizes alone. |
| Ingredients and storage | Read the current ingredient and allergen declarations. The Sainsbury’s and Waitrose lime cordials list sucralose and sulphites; Belvoir lists steviol glycosides from stevia. Check the bottle’s instructions after opening. | Guests may have a sweetener preference or need me to check declared allergens before serving. |
| Water for guests | Keep water available alongside flavoured drinks. NHS guidance advises diluting cordial or squash well and says water is the preferred way to replace fluid lost through sweating. | For a warm or active BBQ, I want guests to have water as well as a flavoured option. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Reading “no added sugar” as “no sugars”
Naturally occurring sugars can remain; Waitrose says they are present in its no-added-sugar lime cordial.
Check the sugars figure for the prepared drink if that distinction matters to your purchase.
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Choosing by brand name rather than product name
Robinsons says its classic cordials contain added sugar, while most of its squash range has no added sugar.
Specify cordial or squash on your shopping list, then check the claim on the exact bottle.
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Planning jugs from bottle volume alone
Concentrates can have different dilution instructions, so equal bottle volumes do not establish equal amounts of prepared drink.
Use the stated ratio and servings. For Belvoir lemon-and-lime cordial, follow the current bottle rather than assuming either of the differing online dilution references applies.
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Overlooking the label before serving
Sweeteners, declared allergens and after-opening instructions matter when a bottle is being shared.
Check the pack’s ingredients, allergen statement and storage directions before making the jug.
Relevant brand and retailer ranges
These examples help distinguish named cordials from squash; they do not describe every drink sold under each brand.
Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s lists a 1L Lime Cordial No Added Sugar with 30% fruit juice from concentrate.
- The listing states 20 servings and suggests one part cordial to four parts water.
- It lists sucralose and sulphites; check the bottle for guests’ requirements.
Waitrose
Waitrose lists a 1L No Added Sugar Lime Juice Cordial containing sweetener and naturally occurring sugars.
- Its listing states 20 servings and suggests one part cordial to four parts water.
- It lists sucralose and sodium metabisulphite; rely on the current pack for ingredients and allergens.
Belvoir Farm
Belvoir Farm describes its 500ml Sicilian Lemon and Lime No Added Sugar Cordial as containing lemon and lime juices and steviol glycosides from stevia.
- It offers a lemon-and-lime cordial for shoppers comparing ingredients with the named lime cordials.
- Waitrose and Belvoir give different online dilution references; follow the current bottle when mixing it.
Robinsons
Robinsons distinguishes its no-added-sugar squash range from its classic cordials.
- Tesco lists Robinsons Double Strength Orange No Added Sugar Squash.
- Robinsons says its classic Barley Waters and Cordials contain added sugar; check the exact product rather than applying a squash claim to a cordial.
Tesco
Tesco lists several own-label Quadruple Strength No Added Sugar squashes, including lemon, orange and mixed-fruit flavours.
- The named squash flavours provide alternatives if cordial is not essential.
- Use each squash’s own label and dilution directions rather than treating the range as true cordial.
No-added-sugar squash options on Joybuy
These concentrates are squash options for a BBQ where squash is acceptable instead of a true cordial. Check each bottle’s directions before mixing a large jug.
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Ribena Conc Blackcurrant No Added Sugar 1.5L
A blackcurrant squash option if a true cordial is not required. Follow the pack’s dilution directions for the jug, and check its ingredients and allergen declaration before serving guests.
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Robinsons No Added Sugar Orange Squash 1L
Choose this orange squash only if squash meets your plans in place of cordial. Check the pack’s mixing directions when planning how much to make, and read the allergen declaration before serving.
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Robinsons No Added Sugar Summer Fruits Squash 1L
This summer-fruits squash is another option when a true cordial is not needed. Use its own label to set the jug’s dilution, and check ingredients and allergens for your guests.
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Ribena Pineapple and Passion Fruit Squash No Added Sugar 850ml
A pineapple-and-passion-fruit squash for guests who prefer that flavour to citrus cordial. Check the current pack’s dilution instructions and compare any nutrition values on a prepared-drink basis.
Frequently asked questions
Does “no added sugar” mean a cordial contains no sugars?
No. Waitrose states that its no-added-sugar lime cordial contains naturally occurring sugars. Check the sugars value at the stated dilution if you need to compare drinks as served.
How much water should I add to a BBQ jug?
Follow the bottle you buy. Sainsbury’s and Waitrose suggest one part of their named lime cordials to four parts water. For Belvoir lemon-and-lime cordial, use the current bottle because its retailer and manufacturer pages give different online dilution references.
Should cordial be the only drink at a hot BBQ?
Keep water available as well as any diluted cordial or squash. NHS guidance says water is the preferred way to replace fluid lost through sweating and advises diluting cordial and squash well.
What should I check before serving guests?
Read the current bottle’s ingredients, allergen declaration and storage instructions. The named Sainsbury’s and Waitrose lime cordials list sucralose and sulphites, while Belvoir’s lemon-and-lime cordial uses steviol glycosides from stevia.
Is Robinsons no-added-sugar squash the same choice as its cordial?
No. Robinsons says most of its squash range has no added sugar, but its classic Cordials are among the ranges with added sugar. Choose a specifically labelled no-added-sugar squash only if squash is acceptable for your BBQ.