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Whip Up a Cordial for Your Next Cocktail
Expand your mixology horizons with these four cordial recipes!
We’re back and taking a deeper dive into advanced mixing techniques— cue the cordials! You may have read an introduction to cordials in our previous article about elaborate cocktail ingredients, but here’s a quick recap: while there are many definitions for cordial, in essence, they can be seen as acidified syrups that boast extra depth and complexity.
Cordials are typically flavoured with fruits (especially citrus), but can also be made with anything your heart desires! Herbs and edible blossoms are frequently paired with more classic fruit flavours. Because of the sugar and acid content, cordials are a great way to preserve the fresh taste of your favourite ingredients!
Cordials are added to cocktails in a similar fashion to the way you might use other modifiers like syrups and juices, making these an easy way to experiment with your recipes. If you need a starting place for cordials to make at home, we’ll walk you through a few of our favourites to sweeten any sip!
JUMP to the cordial ahead!
1. Lime Cordial
Did you know that the original gimlet was a 2-ingredient mix of gin and lime cordial? Nowadays, we typically use simple syrup and fresh lime juice, which still makes for a tasty tipple. However, on top of the novelty of enjoying an ultra-classic gimlet, a lime cordial has another key benefit. Since it involves adding the zest itself, you get a bigger burst of actual lime flavour rather than just its acidity!
Make a batch of Jeffrey Morgenthaler’s lime cordial for the Empress Gimlet by @thirstywhale_ (with help from @notjustabartender)!
Ingredients
- 2 oz Empress 1908 Indigo Gin
- 1 oz Lime Cordial*
- Pinch of Salt
Method
Add the ingredients into a mixing glass filled with ice and stir. Alternatively, add ingredients to a shaker tin filled with ice and throw/roll (for more aeration, but less dilution). Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and enjoy!
*To make the lime cordial, mix 250g sugar, 8 oz hot water, 8g grated lime zest, 25 g citric acid, and ¾ oz lime juice to a blender and blend until sugar is dissolved. Strain and keep sealed in the fridge.
2. Cucumber & Lime Cordial
We have the basic lime cordial down, so let’s kick it up a notch with some cucumber and a little help from @moodymixologist! We love how the crisp vegetable notes play with the sharpness of limes, especially for any extra-refreshing summer cocktails. Distinct yet versatile, it’s a must-add to your ingredient repertoire.
Sip like royalty with @moodymixologist’s Royal Cucumber Gimlet!
Ingredients
- 2 oz Empress 1908 Indigo Gin
- 1-1½ oz Cucumber Lime Cordial*
- Cucumber Ribbon, for garnish
Method
Combine both ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake until chilled. Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with a cucumber ribbon.
*To make the cordial, start by peeling and chopping three mini cucumbers and add to a bowl. Wash and peel three to four limes, add peels to the bowl, and reserve limes for later. Toss the cucumber and lime peels with 1 cup sugar. Cover and let sit at least one hour – the mixture will become thick and syrupy. Squeeze the limes and add the juice to the mixture (¾ cup). Add ½ tsp citric acid and stir, dissolving the remaining sugar. Strain through a fine mesh sieve or layers of cheesecloth. Store the cordial in a closed container in the refrigerator.
3. Coconut Lime Leaf Cordial
Refined and complex, @cheerstohappyhour’s combo of coconut and lime leaf makes for a cocktail experience unlike any other. If you haven’t mixed with lime leaves, now’s the time to change that! The hint of citrus provides exquisite aromatics that play very well with the delicate coconut sweetness. With its more vibrant profile, we enjoy using this cordial in lighter style sips like a Collins or gimlet.
Add this to the Flowers x Chocolate by @cheerstohappyhour for a divine taste of romance!
Ingredients
- 1½ oz Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin
- ½ oz Coconut Lime Leaf Cordial*
- 1 dash Rosewater
- 10 drops Saline Solution
- 2 dashes Chocolate Bitters
- Mint & Cherry, for garnish
Method
Build in a glass filled with ice and top with tonic water. Garnish and enjoy!
*To make the cordial, add 700 ml coconut water and 20 g lime leaves (ripped) to a heat-safe container and sous-vide at 68˚C for 2 hours. Strain out the mixture and stir in 4 g citric acid and 220 g sugar until dissolved. Once combined, seal and store in the refrigerator for up to one month.
4. Pandan & Jasmine Cordial
Last but not least, we have this delightfully exotic and fragrant blend from @jfdesfosses that makes for show stopping tipples! Pandan has seen a burst of popularity, and for good reason – the grassy vanilla notes impart a wonderful element of unique, yet approachable dimension. This pairs very well with the soft floral and herbal qualities of jasmine tea, so give this one a go if you’re looking to play around with dynamic flavours!
Dazzle your tastebuds with the Pandan & Jasmine Milk Punch by @jfdesfosses!
Ingredients
- 225 ml Empress 1908 Indigo Gin
- 225 ml Pandan & Jasmine Cordial*
- 75 ml Benedictine
- 45 ml Mezcal
- 50 ml Evaporated Milk
- 150 ml Coconut Milk
- Pandan Leaf, for garnish
Method
In a large mixing glass, mix together the gin, cordial, benedictine, and mezcal. In a separate container, mix evaporated milk and coconut milk. Pour the cocktail mixture over the milk mixture. Allow to sit for one hour. Filter the mixture through either a couple layers of cheesecloth, coffee filter, or nut milk bag to remove any solids. Once filtered, the cocktail is ready to serve. Pour 3 oz of the cocktail into a mixing glass with ice. Stir to chill, and then pour into a cocktail glass over clear ice and garnish.
*To make the cordial, infuse 10g jasmine tea, 9g citric acid, and 4.5g malic acid with 360ml of hot water for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, roughly chop 40g pandan leaves and add in a blender along with 100g sugar and your strained infusion. Blend at high speed 30 seconds. Strain through coffee filter and keep sealed in the refrigerator.
We hope this convinced you to make a cordial for your next cocktail! With the plethora of possibilities for flavour combinations, let these act as templates for you to play around with and come up with your own creation. Swap out the lime for a different citrus, cucumber for another seasonal fruit, or even the lime leaves for other botanicals. Whether your cordial plays a starring or supporting role, it’s bound to elevate your drinks to new heights!
For more cocktail inspiration, you know where to look – be sure to head on over to our Instagram, Cocktail Page, or Blog!
Sip responsibly!
