– **Drinks:**
– Squash is mixed with water or carbonated water before drinking.
– The amount of water added is based on taste, making the squash less strong when more diluted.
– It can be used as a drink mixer with alcoholic beverages for cocktails.
– Citrus fruits like orange, lime, and lemon are common bases for squash.
– Traditional British squashes are flavored with elderflower, orange, lemon, or blackcurrant.
– **Preparation:**
– Squash is prepared by mixing one part concentrate with four or five parts water.
– Double-strength squash and traditional cordials are combined with nine parts water to one part concentrate.
– Some squash concentrates are weak and are mixed with one part concentrate and two or three parts water.
– Squash concentrates are designed to be stored on shelves and often contain preservatives like potassium sorbate or sulphites.
– Despite the preservatives, some prefer to store squash in refrigerators.
– **Storage:**
– Cordials and squashes contain preservatives like potassium sorbate or sulphites for shelf stability.
– High sugar content contributes to their long shelf life.
– Some individuals opt to refrigerate their squash for storage.
– **Ingredients:**
– Traditional cordials contain sugar, juice or plant extract, and water.
– Modern squash drinks are more complex, with ingredients like water, sweeteners, juice, flavorings, preservatives, and colorants.
– Sugar-free squashes use sweeteners like aspartame or sodium saccharin.
– Ordinary squashes contain sugar, water, juice, preservatives, colorants, and flavorings.
– Natural colors and flavorings are increasingly preferred in modern British squash products.
– **Terminology:**
– Cordial, diluting juice, and squash are similar products, with cordials being thicker and requiring less syrup.
– In British English, cordial refers to a sweet fruit-flavored drink distinct from a syrup.
– “High juice” squash contains around 45% juice.
– Squash is colloquially known as juice, though it is not pure juice.
– Squashes may also be labeled as fruit drinks, especially when pre-diluted.
This article needs additional citations for verification. (March 2013) |
Squash (sometimes known as cordial in British English, dilute in Hiberno English, diluting juice in Scottish English and water juice in the Northern Isles of Scotland), is a non-alcoholic beverage with concentrated syrup used in beverage making. It is usually fruit-flavoured, made from fruit juice, water, and sugar or a sugar substitute. Modern squashes may also contain food colouring and additional flavouring. Some traditional squashes contain herbal extracts, most notably elderflower and ginger.
