What is the standard cordial dilution ratio?

Most cordials and squash recommend a 1:4 ratio — one part cordial to four parts water. This means for a 250ml glass, you would use 50ml of cordial and 200ml of water. Some brands recommend 1:5 or even 1:9.

What is the difference between cordial and squash?

In the UK, squash is a concentrated fruit drink that you dilute with water. Cordial is similar but often higher quality, made with more real fruit juice and sugar. Squash is typically diluted at a higher ratio (1:5 or 1:9) because it is more concentrated.

How much cordial do I need for a party?

For a two-hour event, plan for 2-3 glasses per person. Using the calculator, enter the total number of servings you need and it will work out the cordial and water quantities. A 500ml bottle of cordial typically makes about 2.5 litres of diluted drink.

Can I make it stronger or weaker?

Yes, adjust the dilution ratio to suit your taste. A 1:3 ratio gives a stronger drink, while 1:5 or higher gives a lighter one. The calculator supports custom ratios so you can match your preference exactly.

What is the standard dilution ratio for cordial?

Most UK cordials recommend a 1:4 or 1:5 ratio (one part cordial to four or five parts water). However, this varies by brand and personal preference. Elderflower cordial is typically 1:10 as it is very concentrated. Taste and adjust — the recommended ratio is a starting point, not a rule.

BakeCalcs

Cordial Dilution Calculator

Calculate cordial and water quantities based on dilution ratio and number of servings.

Number of Servings

Glass Size

Dilution Ratio

How We Calculate This

The calculator divides your total required volume into cordial and water based on the dilution ratio. A ratio of 1:4 means one part cordial to four parts water — so the total has 5 parts.

The Formula

Total volume = Servings x Glass size
Cordial = Total volume / (1 + Dilution ratio)
Water = Total volume - Cordial

Common Ratios

1:3 — Strong, for intense flavours
1:4 — Standard for most cordials
1:5 — Light, suits delicate flavours
1:9 — Typical for high-strength squash

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Calculators

Cocktail Batch Calculator

Scale a single cocktail recipe to a batch for multiple servings.

Punch Bowl Calculator

Calculate spirit, juice, and mixer quantities for punch based on number of guests.

Mulled Wine Calculator

Calculate wine, sugar, and spice quantities for mulled wine by number of servings.

Coffee Brew Ratio Calculator

Calculate coffee grounds and water for your brew method and desired strength.

Cold Brew Coffee Calculator

Calculate coffee and water for cold brew concentrate based on ratio and batch size.

Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are based on standard ratios and conversions. Results may vary with specific ingredients, equipment, and conditions.