How Many Calories Are in Britvic Lime Cordial?

December 14, 2025 •

4 min read

According to official nutritional data, a standard diluted serving of Britvic Lime Cordial contains just 9 calories per 100ml, making it a very low-calorie beverage option. This is achieved by using a combination of sugar and sweeteners to deliver its signature tangy flavour.

Quick Summary

A typical glass of diluted Britvic lime cordial has a minimal calorie count, relying on a blend of sugar and sweeteners for flavor rather than fruit juice alone. Its overall nutritional profile is very low in fat and protein.

Key Points

Low Calorie Per Serving: A standard diluted 100ml glass contains only 9 calories.
Blend of Sweeteners: The low calorie count is achieved by combining sugar with artificial sweeteners like aspartame and saccharin.
Dilution is Key: The calorie count depends entirely on the correct dilution ratio of one part cordial to at least four parts water.
Minimal Nutrition: Unlike fresh lime juice, the cordial offers virtually no vitamins, minerals, or other nutritional benefits beyond hydration.
Not a Weight-Loss Aid: While low in calories, it is not a 'health food' and should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Alternatives Exist: For those concerned about sugar and sweeteners, zero-calorie options like water or unsweetened versions from other brands are available.

Understanding the Calorie Count in Your Glass

When calculating the calories in Britvic Lime Cordial, it is crucial to consider the dilution ratio. The nutritional information is provided for the product 'as diluted,' not for the concentrated liquid in the bottle. Britvic's recommendation is to dilute one part concentrate with at least four parts water. Adhering to this ratio means your final drink will contain only 9 kcal per 100ml. For context, a typical serving might be a 250ml glass, which would contain approximately 22.5 calories. This makes it a significantly lower-calorie alternative to many ready-to-drink soft drinks, which often contain much higher sugar levels.

Nutritional Breakdown (Per 100ml diluted)

To fully understand what you're consuming, here is a detailed breakdown of the typical nutritional values for a 100ml serving of Britvic Lime Cordial, prepared according to the standard dilution instructions:

Energy: 37kJ / 9kcal
Fat: 0g
of which saturates: 0g
Carbohydrate: 1.7g
of which sugars: 1.7g
Protein: 0g
Salt: 0g

As the data shows, the diluted cordial is free from fat and protein, with the small number of calories coming entirely from carbohydrates in the form of sugar and sweeteners.

The Ingredients Behind the Flavour

The low sugar and calorie content of Britvic Lime Cordial is due to its blend of ingredients. Beyond just lime juice, the formula includes both sugar and artificial sweeteners to achieve the desired flavour profile without excessive calories. The key ingredients are:

Water
Lime Juice from Concentrate (15%)
Sugar
Acid (Citric Acid)
Flavouring
Sweeteners (Aspartame, Saccharin)
Preservative (Sodium Metabisulphite)
Antioxidant (Ascorbic Acid)
Colours (Copper Chlorophyllin, Carotenes)

The inclusion of sweeteners like aspartame and saccharin is what allows the cordial to have a sweet taste with a much lower overall sugar and energy content than a product sweetened purely with sugar. This blend is what differentiates it from pure, unsweetened lime juice or other sugary soft drinks.

Comparison: Britvic vs. Other Hydration Options

Here is a comparison table to help you understand how Britvic Lime Cordial stacks up against other popular beverages. Note that this comparison is for a 100ml diluted serving of cordial versus 100ml of other drinks.


Beverage	Calories (per 100ml)	Sugars (per 100ml)	Note
Britvic Lime Cordial (diluted)	9kcal	1.7g	Contains sweeteners
Roses Lime Cordial (diluted)	21kcal	4.9g	Higher sugar content than Britvic
Typical Lemonade (supermarket own brand)	~40kcal	~9g	Varies by brand
Orange Juice (100% fruit)	~45kcal	~9g	Contains natural fruit sugars
Water	0kcal	0g	The benchmark for hydration

From the comparison, it's clear that Britvic Lime Cordial is a low-calorie option, especially when compared to full-sugar soft drinks. However, options like pure water remain the best choice for zero-calorie hydration.

Making a Healthier Choice with Cordial

While Britvic Lime Cordial is a low-calorie option, it is not a direct substitute for fresh lime juice, which offers nutritional benefits like vitamin C and antioxidants. When incorporating cordial into your diet, here are some tips for a healthier approach:

Dilute more: Use less cordial concentrate than the recommended ratio for an even lower sugar and calorie intake. A 'splash' can be enough for flavour.
Experiment with flavours: Consider adding fresh mint leaves, cucumber slices, or berries to your cordial and water mix to enhance the taste without relying on more cordial.
Mix with sparkling water: To replicate a fizzy soft drink experience, use chilled sparkling water with a small amount of cordial. This can help you reduce your consumption of higher-calorie fizzy drinks.
Choose no-added-sugar versions: Britvic also produces a 'No Added Sugar' variety, which uses alternative sweeteners entirely to achieve a minimal calorie count, though availability may vary.
Limit daily intake: As with any sweetened beverage, consuming in moderation is key. Do not view cordial as a primary source of hydration, but rather as an occasional flavour enhancer for water.

Conclusion

In summary, the number of calories in Britvic Lime Cordial is low, at just 9 calories per 100ml when diluted correctly, due to its use of both sugar and artificial sweeteners. While a much lower-calorie choice than many full-sugar soft drinks, it offers very limited nutritional value compared to fresh lime juice. To enjoy this beverage healthily, consider diluting it further or exploring no-added-sugar versions to minimise intake of both sugar and sweeteners. Ultimately, for the most straightforward and healthiest hydration, water remains the best choice. For a refreshing alternative, however, a mindful serving of Britvic cordial can be a satisfactory option without a major impact on your daily calorie count.

If you want more detailed information on Britvic's product specifications, you can check the official product page on Ocado.co.uk.

Frequently Asked Questions

A standard 250ml glass of Britvic Lime Cordial, diluted according to the recommended ratio, contains approximately 22.5 calories.

Yes, Britvic Lime Cordial is made with lime juice from concentrate, though it constitutes only 15% of the concentrated product.

Britvic offers a 'No Added Sugar' version of their cordials, which uses alternative sweeteners to provide a very low calorie option.

Britvic uses sweeteners like aspartame and saccharin, which are approved for use in food and drink products by food safety authorities and are safe for most people to consume in moderation.

While fresh lime juice offers vitamins and antioxidants, Britvic Lime Cordial is primarily water, sugar, and sweeteners with very little nutritional value beyond taste. The calorie count is also much higher in the cordial.

Yes, due to its low calorie count per serving, Britvic Lime Cordial can be consumed in moderation as part of a calorie-controlled diet. The key is to stick to the recommended dilution and not over-consume.

The recommended dilution ratio is one part cordial to at least four parts water, though you can use even more water for a less intense flavour and lower calorie count.