A mix of concentrated lime juice and sugar, lime cordial was first used to preserve lime juice without alcohol. It is used to add citrusy flavour to cocktails.

Created around the 1860s when lime and lemon juice were carried on ships to prevent scurvy, lime cordial was one of the first concentrated fruit drinks.

It is typically made by using the rind and juice of limes, citric acid, sugar and some tartaric acid and can be diluted with water or soda water according to taste.

Lime cordial is used in lots of cocktails, such as Sour Apple Martini, Hurricane and Gimlet. It is also often mixed simply with vodka and carbonated water.