Cordials, Mixers & Juice Drinks Guide UK: Cordials, Tonic, Soda & Fruit Juice
Compare cordials, mixers and juice drinks for home, breakfast service, cafés, restaurants, events and hospitality. Explore elderflower cordial, fruit cordials, tonic water, soda water and fruit juices, then choose the right format for the way you plan to serve it.
Start with how the drink will be prepared and served
A cordial, tonic water, soda water and fruit juice are not interchangeable. Some products are concentrated and intended to be diluted, while others are ready to serve or used as a mixer. Choose according to the finished drink, serving size, preparation method and expected volume.
Fruit Cordials
Concentrated cordials provide a flexible base for refreshing soft drinks and made-to-order beverage service.
Browse CordialsTonic Water
Individual tonic-water bottles are useful for hospitality, table service and mixed-drink preparation.
Browse MixersSoda Water
Soda water provides a neutral sparkling element for mixed drinks and refreshing serves.
Browse Soda & MixersFruit Juice
Orange, grapefruit and other juices can support breakfast, brunch, events and hospitality menus.
Browse Juice DrinksCordials, mixers & juice buying guide
Use the sections below to compare concentrated drinks, ready-to-serve mixers and fruit juice formats.
Concentrated fruit cordials for flexible drinks service
Cordials are useful when you want to prepare drinks to order rather than storing every flavour as a ready-to-drink beverage.
The current Nicol Retailer range includes lime, orange, blackcurrant and elderflower cordials.
The dilution method and serving suggestion can vary between products, so always follow the specific product information rather than using one standard recipe for every cordial.
- Soft drinks
- Table service
- Cafés
- Restaurants
- Events
- Buffets
- Hospitality
- Made-to-order drinks
Lime, orange & blackcurrant cordial
Fruit cordials give professional and home users a concentrated format that can be diluted according to the product instructions.
Current Nicol Retailer examples include Britvic Lime Cordial, Britvic Orange Cordial and Britvic Blackcurrant Cordial, alongside Schweppes cordial products within the same commercial category.
Buying tip: if several cordial flavours are being stocked professionally, start with flavours that support genuine demand rather than carrying too many slow-moving cases.
Elderflower cordial for refreshing and premium serves
Elderflower cordial provides a floral flavour profile that differs clearly from traditional orange, lime or blackcurrant cordial.
Nicol Retailer currently lists Bottlegreen Elderflower Cordial in a six-bottle 500ml format.
It can suit home entertaining, cafés, hospitality and refreshing soft-drink preparation where a more distinctive flavour is wanted.
- Still soft drinks
- Sparkling serves
- Lunches
- Afternoon service
- Events
- Cafés
- Hospitality
- Premium refreshment
Tonic water & soda water for individual mixer service
Mixers such as tonic water and soda water are ready-to-serve products, rather than concentrated cordials.
The current category includes Britvic Indian Tonic Water and Britvic Soda Water in 24 × 200ml formats, which can be useful where controlled individual servings and table presentation are important.
Format tip: small individual bottles can simplify portioning for restaurants, hotels, events and hospitality service.
Fruit juice for breakfast, brunch, events & hospitality
Fruit juice serves a different role from cordial or mixer products because it can be offered as a standalone beverage or used as part of a prepared drink.
The current Cordial & Mixers range includes orange, grapefruit and tomato juice products, while Nicol Retailer also has additional juice products elsewhere in the wider catalogue.
Choose juice according to flavour, pack size, serving format and whether it will be served individually or used in larger-volume service.
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Hotels
- Cafés
- Events
- Buffets
- Restaurants
- Hospitality
How to choose between cordial, mixer and juice
Start with the finished drink and the way it will be served.
Choose cordials, mixers & juice by occasion
A smaller, well-planned drinks range can often serve several occasions without unnecessary duplication.
Orange or Grapefruit Juice
Straightforward options for hotels, cafés and breakfast tables.
Elderflower Cordial
A more distinctive fruit-and-floral option for refreshing drinks.
Lime, Orange or Blackcurrant
Flexible concentrated options for diluted soft drinks.
Tonic Water
Small bottles can suit table and hospitality service.
Soda Water
Provides a neutral sparkling component for prepared drinks.
Mixed Drinks Selection
Combine juice, cordial and ready-to-serve products according to guest needs.
Cordials, mixers & juice for cafés, restaurants and hospitality
Professional purchasing should be based on the drinks actually served and the rate at which each product is used.
Case formats such as 12 × 1 litre cordial or 24 × 200ml mixer bottles can make sense where demand is consistent.
For lower-volume use, avoid carrying too many flavours or formats that perform almost the same role.
- Cafés
- Restaurants
- Hotels
- Events
- Caterers
- Workplaces
- Breakfast service
- Hospitality venues
Plan professional drinks stock around genuine demand
Case quantities can simplify professional purchasing, but only when the products will be used consistently.
Storage, dilution & preparation
Different beverages have different storage and preparation requirements.
Cordials may require dilution, while tonic water, soda water and some juices are ready to serve. Always use the directions for the specific product supplied.
Preparation reminder: do not assume all cordials use the same dilution ratio. Follow the instructions for the exact bottle you are serving.
Ingredients, sweeteners & dietary information
Cordials, mixers and juice drinks can vary considerably in fruit content, sugar, sweeteners, preservatives and other ingredients.
For example, some current cordial products contain both sugar and sweeteners, so a product name alone does not establish its nutritional or dietary profile.
Important: always check the current individual product page and packaging supplied for ingredients, allergens, sweeteners and dietary suitability.
For wider guidance, visit Ingredients, Allergens & Dietary Information .
Explore the wider Soft Drinks & Beverages cluster
This guide focuses on cordials, mixers and fruit juice.
For ready-to-drink sparkling, still and fruit-based beverages, read Soft Drinks Buying Guide UK .
For coffee, fruit and speciality syrups, read Coffee & Beverage Syrups Guide UK .
For the complete drinks hub, visit Soft Drinks & Beverages Online UK .
Cordials, mixers & juice FAQs
Common questions about choosing and serving cordials, mixers and fruit juice.
What is the difference between cordial and a mixer?
A cordial is generally a concentrated drink intended to be diluted according to its instructions. Mixers such as tonic or soda water are typically ready to serve.
What cordials does Nicol Retailer sell?
The current range includes flavours such as lime, orange, blackcurrant and elderflower.
Does Nicol Retailer sell tonic water?
Yes. The current Cordials & Mixers range includes tonic-water products.
Does Nicol Retailer sell soda water?
Yes. Soda water is included within the current Cordials & Mixers range.
What juice is suitable for breakfast service?
Orange and grapefruit juice are straightforward options for breakfast, brunch, hotel and café service.
Can cordial be used in cafés and restaurants?
Yes. Cordials can support made-to-order soft drinks and hospitality service, provided they are prepared according to the specific product instructions.
Are all cordials diluted the same way?
No. Dilution instructions can vary by product. Always follow the directions supplied for the exact cordial.
Where can I buy cordials and mixers online?
Browse Nicol Retailer’s Cordials & Mixers category for the current range.
Where should I check ingredients and allergens?
Check the current individual product information and packaging supplied. For wider guidance, visit Ingredients, Allergens & Dietary Information .