How to Enjoy

Perfect Serves

A simple pleasure

At its heart, a Norfolk Cordial serve is beautifully simple: real-fruit cordial, chilled water and a glass you enjoy drinking from.

Add ice, a garnish or a little sparkle if you like — or keep it completely uncomplicated. The ideas below are simply there to inspire, not prescribe.

Start with the classic pour

Begin with one part cordial to around ten parts chilled water. It’s a useful starting point rather than a rule — a little stronger for a more intense fruit flavour, or lighter for something more refreshing.

Still water gives a softer, more rounded serve. Sparkling water adds lift and brightness. Pour over plenty of ice and taste as you go until it feels just right.

stylish photoshoot of a chilled sparkling syrup based drink (with the blackcurrant syrup sitting mainly in the bottom of the glass waiting to be stirred) in a nice balloon wine glass with ice, fresh blackcurrants and mint leaves as a garnish, a straight paper straw coloured in dark purple and white stripes sitting on a stylish wooden worktop, white wooden panelled wall behind

Make it your own

There’s no single perfect way to enjoy a cordial — only the way you enjoy it most.

Prefer a little more fruit? Pour it slightly stronger. Want something lighter and more refreshing? Add a touch more water. Still water keeps the flavours soft and rounded, while sparkling water gives the drink a brighter, livelier character.

Try it over plenty of ice, serve it in a tall glass, a tumbler or even a wine glass, and don’t be afraid to experiment. The best serve is simply the one you want to pour again.

The finishing touch

A simple garnish can completely change the character of a glass — but it doesn’t need to be complicated.

A twist of citrus can add brightness, cucumber brings freshness, berries echo the fruit in the cordial, while mint and other soft herbs add fragrance as you drink.

Choose something that complements the flavour rather than competing with it. Sometimes a single slice of fruit or sprig of mint is all you need. And if you prefer your cordial completely unadorned, that works beautifully too.