Cordial vs. Squash — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 21, 2024
Cordial is a sweet, concentrated syrup mixed with water to drink, often fruit-flavored; squash is a similar non-alcoholic concentrated syrup, popular in the UK and Commonwealth, also diluted with water.
Difference Between Cordial and Squash
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Cordial is traditionally a sweet, concentrated syrup made from fruit, water, and sugar, intended to be diluted before drinking, whereas squash is a type of non-alcoholic beverage concentrate, popular in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries, also diluted with water but often contains additional ingredients like artificial flavors and preservatives.
Cordial was originally used for medicinal purposes, often containing herbal extracts, on the other hand, squash is primarily consumed as a refreshing beverage without any implied health benefits.
Cordial can refer to alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages depending on the region and context, while squash is strictly non-alcoholic and aimed at a general audience, including children.
In some regions, the term cordial is synonymous with liqueurs, which are alcoholic, whereas squash is always a soft drink concentrate, emphasizing its suitability as a family-friendly refreshment.
Cordial is often perceived as a more traditional or homemade drink, possibly crafted from old family recipes, meanwhile, squash is typically mass-produced and available in a wide range of standardized flavors from sweet to tangy.
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Comparison Chart
Base Ingredients
Fruit, water, sugar
Fruit juice, water, sugar, sometimes artificial flavors
Alcoholic Content
Can be alcoholic or non-alcoholic
Always non-alcoholic
Origin
Often homemade, traditional
Usually commercially produced
Purpose
Originally medicinal, now also a refreshment
Strictly a refreshment
Variants
Fewer flavors, more natural recipes
Numerous flavors, including artificial options
Compare with Definitions
Cordial
A sweet, concentrated syrup made from fruit juice and sugar.
She mixed the raspberry cordial with water for a refreshing drink.
Squash
A non-alcoholic concentrated syrup diluted to make a drink.
He prefers lemon squash mixed with plenty of ice.
Cordial
An aromatic liquid that can be medicinal or a beverage.
Grandma used to make a cordial from elderflowers for colds.
Squash
Consumed primarily as a casual, refreshing beverage.
Squash is often served to children at parties.
Cordial
In some contexts, an alcoholic liqueur.
After dinner, they served a sweet orange cordial.
Squash
Popular in the UK, often containing artificial flavors.
Supermarkets offer a range of squash flavors, from apple to blackcurrant.
Cordial
A non-alcoholic drink made by diluting the syrup with water.
The children enjoyed a homemade blackcurrant cordial at the picnic.
Squash
Varieties may include sugar-free options.
They opted for a sugar-free squash to reduce their calorie intake.
Cordial
Often homemade or crafted in traditional styles.
The cordial sold at the local market features locally sourced fruits.
Squash
Commercially produced and widely available.
The brand introduced three new squash varieties this summer.
Cordial
Warm and friendly
The atmosphere was cordial and relaxed
Squash
The fruit of any of these plants, eaten as a vegetable.
Cordial
Strongly felt
I earned his cordial loathing
Squash
The act or sound of squashing.
Cordial
A sweet fruit-flavoured drink
Wine cups and fruit cordials
A tall glass of blackcurrant cordial
Squash
Something that has been squashed.
Cordial
A pleasant-tasting medicine.
Squash
A crushed or crowded mass
A squash of people.
Cordial
Warm and sincere; friendly
A cordial welcome.
Very cordial relations.
Squash
(Sports) A game played on a four-walled court by two or four players who use long-handled rackets to hit a small rubber ball against the front wall, with play stopping if the ball bounces twice on the floor or does not reach the front wall after a stroke. Also called squash rackets.
Cordial
Polite and respectful; formally pleasant
"He shook my hand, but not warmly.
He was cordial, but not amiable" (Oliver Sacks).
Squash
Chiefly British A citrus-based soft drink.
Cordial
Strongly felt; fervent
A cordial abhorrence of waste.
Squash
To beat, squeeze, or press into a pulp or a flattened mass; crush.
Cordial
(Archaic) Invigorating; stimulating. Used especially of a beverage.
Squash
To put down or suppress; quash
Squash a revolt.
Cordial
A liqueur.
Squash
To silence or fluster, as with crushing words
Squash a heckler.
Cordial
An invigorating or medicinal drink; a tonic.
Squash
To become crushed, flattened, or pulpy, as by pressure or impact.
Cordial
Hearty; sincere; warm; affectionate.
Squash
To move with a splashing or sucking sound, as when walking through boggy ground.
Cordial
Radiating warmth and friendliness; genial.
Squash
With a squashing sound.
Cordial
(rare) Tending to revive, cheer, or invigorate; giving strength or spirits.
Squash
(uncountable) A sport played in a walled court with a soft rubber ball and bats like tennis racquets.
Cordial
(obsolete) Proceeding from the heart.
Squash
(British) A soft drink made from a fruit-based concentrate diluted with water.
When I'm thirsty I drink squash; it tastes much nicer than plain water.
Cordial
A concentrated non-carbonated soft drink which is diluted with water before drinking.
Squash
A place or a situation where people have limited space to move.
It's a bit of a squash in this small room.
Cordial
An individual serving of such a diluted drink.
Squash
(biology) A preparation made by placing material on a slide flat, rectangular piece of glass, covering it and applying pressure.
Cordial
A pleasant-tasting medicine.
Squash
Something soft and easily crushed; especially, an unripe pod of peas.
Cordial
A liqueur prepared using the infusion process.
Squash
Something unripe or soft.
Cordial
A candy (or bonbon) usually made of milk chocolate, filled with small fruits (often maraschino cherries) and syrup or fondant.
Squash
A sudden fall of a heavy, soft body; also, a shock of soft bodies.
Cordial
Anything that revives or comforts, a stimulant.
Squash
An extremely one-sided, usually short, match.
Cordial
Proceeding from the heart.
A rib with cordial spirits warm.
Squash
A plant and its fruit of any of a few species of the genus Cucurbita, or gourd kind.
Cordial
Hearty; sincere; warm; affectionate.
He . . . with looks of cordial loveHung over her enamored.
Squash
Cucurbita maxima, including hubbard squash, great winter squash, buttercup squash, and some varieties of pumpkins.
Cordial
Tending to revive, cheer, or invigorate; giving strength or spirits.
Behold this cordial julep hereThat flames and dances in his crystal bounds.
Squash
Cucurbita argyrosperma (syn. Cucurbita mixta), cushaw squash.
Cordial
Anything that comforts, gladdens, and exhilarates.
Charms to my sight, and cordials to my mind.
Squash
Cucurbita moschata, butternut squash, Barbary squash, China squash.
Cordial
Any invigorating and stimulating preparation; as, a peppermint cordial.
Squash
Cucurbita pepo, most pumpkins, acorn squash, summer squash, zucchini.
Cordial
Aromatized and sweetened spirit, used as a beverage; a liqueur.
Squash
(botany) Any other similar-looking plant of other genera.
Cordial
Strong highly flavored sweet liquor usually drunk after a meal
Squash
Lagenaria siceraria (syn. Cucurbita verrucosa), calabash, long-neck squash.
Cordial
Diffusing warmth and friendliness;
An affable smile
An amiable gathering
Cordial relations
A cordial greeting
A genial host
Squash
(culinary) The edible or decorative fruit of these plants, or this fruit prepared as a dish.
We ate squash and green beans.
Cordial
Showing warm and heartfelt friendliness;
Gave us a cordial reception
A hearty welcome
Squash
Muskrat.
Cordial
Sincerely or intensely felt;
A cordial regard for his visitor's comfort
A cordial abhorrence of waste
A fervent hope
Squash
(transitive) To beat or press into pulp or a flat mass; to crush.
Squash
To compress or restrict (oneself) into a small space; to squeeze.
Somehow, she squashed all her books into her backpack, which was now too heavy to carry.
We all managed to squash into Mum's tiny car.
Squash
(transitive) To suppress; to force into submission.
Squash
An American animal allied to the weasel.
Squash
A plant and its fruit of the genus Cucurbita, or gourd kind.
Squash
Something soft and easily crushed; especially, an unripe pod of pease.
Not yet old enough for a man, nor young enough for a boy; as a squash is before 't is a peascod.
Squash
Hence, something unripe or soft; - used in contempt.
Squash
A sudden fall of a heavy, soft body; also, a shock of soft bodies.
My fall was stopped by a terrible squash.
Squash
A game much like rackets, played in a walled court with soft rubber balls and bats like tennis rackets; - called also squash rackets.
Squash
To beat or press into pulp or a flat mass; to crush.
Squash
Any of numerous annual tendril-bearing trailing plants of the genus Cucurbita grown for their fleshy edible fruits
Squash
Edible fruit of a squash plant; eaten as a vegetable
Squash
A game played in an enclosed court by two or four players who strike the ball with long-handled rackets
Squash
To compress with violence, out of natural shape or condition;
Crush an aluminum can
Squeeze a lemon
Common Curiosities
What is the main difference between cordial and squash?
The main difference is that cordial can be alcoholic or non-alcoholic and is often homemade, while squash is strictly non-alcoholic and commercially produced.
Is squash suitable for consumption by children?
Yes, squash is very popular among children in many countries as it is non-alcoholic and comes in many sweet flavors.
How long does homemade cordial last?
Homemade cordial can last several weeks if kept refrigerated and sealed properly.
Is there a nutritional difference between cordial and squash?
Nutritional content can vary, but squash often contains more artificial ingredients and preservatives compared to the more natural ingredients in traditional cordials.
What are the typical flavors for cordial?
Typical cordial flavors include raspberry, blackcurrant, and elderflower, often emphasizing natural fruit ingredients.
Why is squash especially popular in the UK?
Squash is popular in the UK due to its convenience, variety of flavors, and suitability as a year-round family-friendly drink.
Are there any health benefits to drinking cordial?
Non-alcoholic cordials made from natural fruits can provide vitamins and antioxidants, though they are also high in sugar.
Can cordial be made from ingredients other than fruit?
Yes, cordial can also be made from flowers, herbs, and spices, offering a variety of flavors beyond just fruit.
Can cordial be used as a mixer in cocktails?
Yes, cordial, especially the alcoholic variety, is commonly used as a mixer in cocktails to add flavor and sweetness.
How do you prepare a drink using squash?
To prepare a drink with squash, mix a part of squash syrup with water or sparkling water according to taste, usually about one part squash to four parts water.
What is the best way to serve squash to adults?
For adults, squash can be served with sparkling water and a slice of lemon or lime for a refreshing and sophisticated drink.
Are cordials considered a luxury item?
While commercial cordials are widely accessible, artisanal or homemade cordials can be considered luxury items due to their quality ingredients and craftsmanship.
What are some creative uses for squash in recipes?
Squash can be used creatively in recipes for making flavored ice pops, in desserts, or as a flavor enhancer in baking.
What are the environmental impacts of producing squash?
The mass production of squash can have environmental impacts related to packaging waste and the use of artificial ingredients.
How can I make my own cordial at home?
Homemade cordial can be made by simmering fruit, water, and sugar, then straining the mixture and bottling the concentrated syrup.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
