How Many Calories are in Lime Cordial? The Nutritional Breakdown

December 15, 2025 •

4 min read

A standard, diluted lime cordial can contain approximately 21 to 28 calories per 100ml, with the final amount heavily influenced by its sugar concentration and brand. This guide explores the significant differences between regular and diet varieties and explains how your mixing ratio impacts the total calorie count.

Quick Summary

The calorie content of lime cordial varies considerably based on the brand, type (standard vs. diet), and sugar content. The number of calories per serving is also determined by the amount of water or mixer it's diluted with.

Key Points

Calorie Variation: The number of calories in lime cordial varies significantly by brand, type (standard vs. diet), and dilution ratio.
Standard vs. Diet: Standard lime cordial is high in sugar and calories, while 'no added sugar' or diet versions are very low in both.
Dilution Matters: The final calorie count of a cordial drink is dependent on how concentrated you make the mix.
Sugar Content: Standard cordial contains a notable amount of sugar, a factor to consider for weight management and overall health.
Healthier Alternatives: For lower calories and sugar, opt for diet cordial, homemade alternatives, or fresh lime juice.
Cocktail Impact: When used in cocktails like a vodka soda with lime, standard cordial adds more calories than fresh lime juice.

The exact number of calories in lime cordial is not universal, as it depends on the brand, whether it is a regular or 'no added sugar' version, and the ratio at which it is diluted. Most of the calories in a standard cordial come from the added sugar, whereas diet versions use sweeteners to dramatically reduce this figure. Understanding these differences is key for anyone watching their sugar and calorie intake.

The Calorie Breakdown of Standard Lime Cordial

Standard lime cordial is primarily a mix of lime juice concentrate, sugar (or glucose-fructose syrup), water, and preservatives. The high sugar content is what gives it a high caloric value before dilution. For example, Rose's Lime Juice Cordial, diluted as recommended (one part cordial to four parts water), provides about 21kcal per 100ml serving. A larger, 250ml glass of this diluted cordial would therefore contain around 53kcal. The concentrated cordial itself is much higher in calories before water is added. A specific example is Britvic Lime Cordial, which contains 46 calories per 100g, with almost all coming from carbohydrates. It's crucial to check the specific nutrition label of the bottle you purchase, as brands and formulations can vary.

The Impact of Dilution on Calorie Count

The recommended dilution for most cordials is 1 part cordial to 4 parts water. However, some people prefer a stronger, more concentrated mix, which will increase the calorie count per serving. For instance, if you were to mix a 1:3 ratio instead of 1:4, your calorie intake per glass would be higher. This is particularly relevant when using cordial as a cocktail mixer, where it is often added in a smaller, concentrated amount.

A Closer Look at Diet and No Added Sugar Cordials

For those seeking a low-calorie alternative, diet or 'no added sugar' lime cordial is an excellent choice. These versions replace the traditional sugar syrup with artificial sweeteners like sucralose or acesulfame K. The calorie count is drastically reduced, often to single digits per serving.

Sainsbury's No Added Sugar Lime Cordial: Offers a mere 13kcal per 250ml serving when diluted.
Waitrose No Added Sugar Lime Cordial: Contains only 6kcal per 250ml serving.
Bickford's Diet Lime Cordial: As directed, a 250ml serving provides just 7kcal.

These examples demonstrate that the choice between standard and diet cordial can make a substantial difference to your daily calorie consumption, especially if you drink it regularly.

The Sugar Factor: How It Affects Your Health

Beyond just calories, the sugar content of standard cordial is a key consideration. A 250ml glass of diluted Rose's cordial, for example, contains 12 grams of sugar. This is a significant portion of an average adult's recommended daily sugar intake. High sugar consumption is linked to various health issues, including weight gain and dental problems. Opting for a sugar-free version eliminates this concern entirely.

Comparison of Lime Cordial and Alternatives

To put the calorie and sugar content into perspective, here is a comparison table:


Beverage (250ml serving)	Calories (approx.)	Sugar (g) (approx.)	Notes
Standard Lime Cordial (diluted)	53 kcal	12g	Rose's example. Contains a notable amount of sugar.
Diet/No Added Sugar Cordial (diluted)	6-13 kcal	<0.5g	Calories are negligible; ideal for weight management.
Fresh Lime Juice (diluted)	16 kcal	1.2g	Natural, lower in calories than standard cordial, but still contains sugar.
Plain Water	0 kcal	0g	The best choice for hydration with no calories or sugar.
Vodka Soda with Fresh Lime	55-65 kcal	Minimal	Adding fresh lime adds almost no calories compared to a cordial mixer.
Vodka and Standard Lime Cordial	80-90 kcal	Higher sugar content	The cordial significantly increases the total calories and sugar.

Tips for Reducing Calories When Drinking Cordial

If you want to enjoy the flavor of lime cordial without the high calorie and sugar load, consider these tips:

Choose Diet or No Added Sugar: This is the most straightforward way to reduce calories while enjoying a similar taste profile.
Increase Dilution: Add more water or soda water to your drink. This reduces the concentration of the cordial and spreads the calories across a larger volume.
Mix with Fresh Lime Juice: Use a small amount of standard cordial for flavor, then supplement with fresh lime juice to increase the tangy, natural taste without the added sugar.
Use as a Garnish: A small splash of cordial as a garnish can provide a hint of flavor without a significant caloric impact.
Switch to a Homemade Tonic: Consider making your own lime tonic from fresh ingredients, like the recipe found on Epicurious, for better control over ingredients.

Conclusion

While a glass of standard lime cordial is not a calorific disaster, the cumulative effect of its added sugar can impact your diet. Diet and no added sugar versions offer a very low-calorie alternative that is functionally similar for drinks. The key takeaway is to always check the nutritional label and be mindful of your serving size and dilution ratio. For a truly healthy option, nothing beats plain water or incorporating fresh lime juice into your drinks, with cordial reserved as an occasional treat.

Check out the nutritional information for standard lime cordial on the Tesco Groceries website.

Frequently Asked Questions

A standard, diluted Rose's lime cordial serving contains approximately 21 calories per 100ml, with a 250ml glass having around 53 calories.

Yes, but very few. Diet or 'no added sugar' lime cordials are sweetened with alternatives to sugar and contain a negligible amount of calories, often in the single-digit range per serving.

Lime cordial is significantly higher in calories than fresh lime juice. A cup of raw lime juice has about 61.5 calories, whereas a cup of lime cordial can range much higher, especially before dilution.

The more concentrated your cordial mixture, the higher the calorie count will be per glass. Increasing the amount of water or soda water you use will reduce the number of calories per serving.

The calories depend on the amount of gin and whether you use standard or diet cordial. A classic Gimlet cocktail with gin and standard lime cordial can contain around 155 calories. Using diet cordial would reduce this number.

The primary source of calories in standard lime cordial is added sugar, often in the form of glucose-fructose syrup. Diet versions replace this with artificial sweeteners to reduce the calorie count.

Standard, sugar-laden lime cordial should be consumed in moderation on a weight-loss diet. However, opting for a 'no added sugar' or diet version is a great way to enjoy the flavour with very few calories.

While fresh limes are rich in Vitamin C, most of the health benefits are lost in the processing required to make cordial. Many commercial cordials have minimal nutritional value, though some brands may add vitamins.