What is a cordial drink?

A cordial drink is any alcoholic beverage that contains a liqueur, or cordial. A liqueur is a sweet distilled spirit with at least 2.5 percent sugar content.

Most cordials are flavored. They begin as a neutral grain alcohol, such as a whiskey or rum, and then sugar, herbs, fruit, nuts and/or spices are added. Common liqueurs include triple-sec, amaretto and absinthe. Cordials are often used in mixed drinks with soda or fruit juices, but they can be drunk on their own, over ice.

Cordials are not aged like other alcoholic spirits but do have a resting period to allow the flavors to mix. They have a low alcohol content of 15 to 30 percent.