Cordial

For a closely related beverage, see Liqueur

A cordial is an extremely sweet (when undiluted) non-alcoholic fruit flavoured drink concentrate that is diluted with water to taste. Some of the more well-known cordials are Cottees and Golden Circle branded cordials. Cordial is most popular in Australia and New Zealand, having a large market share in competition with fruit juices and soft drinks.

A cordial is any invigorating and stimulating preparation; as, a peppermint cordial. The term derives from obsolete medical usage, as various beverages were concocted which were believed to be beneficial to one's health, especially for the heart (cordialis, Latin).

Alcoholic cordials are also known as liqueurs.

A cordial is also a type of candy, in which a fruit filling is placed within a chocolate shell. A well known confectionery of this type is the cherry cordial.

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