Post mix cordials vs bottled: Which is better for your bottom line?

Every decision you make affects your bottom line. When it comes to serving cordial in busy hospitality settings, whether it’s a café, pub, or large-scale venue, one of the most overlooked factors is how it is served. In this blog post, we compare the pros and cons of bottled cordial and post-mix cordials. 

Both options have their place, and the right one depends on your needs.  What to consider when choosing a cordial mix 

Cordial is a cost-effective, crowd-pleasing, and versatile non-alcoholic option that appeals to a wide range of customers. It’s especially appreciated in family-friendly settings such as pubs, schools, and event spaces, where guests may want something sweet, refreshing, and affordable without the caffeine or carbonation of soft drinks. 

When choosing a cordial mix solution, it’s important to consider factors like cost per serving, storage and space, labour and speed, waste and environmental impact, and emergency flexibility. Let’s break each one down. 

1. Cost per serving 
   • Bottled cordial may seem inexpensive at first glance, but once you factor in the cost per glass, post-mix usually wins. A single 10L post-mix box can yield up to 80 litres of finished drink, depending on dilution rates. That’s significantly more than what you get from the same volume in bottled concentrate, especially when factoring in wastage.
2. Storage and space 
   • Bottles can be stored on standard shelves or in fridges with no dispenser setup or plumbing required, however, they take up a lot of room; especially if you’re buying enough to keep up with demand. Bottles also require more handling and shelf management than post mix cordials, which is compact, stackable, and designed to work seamlessly with dispensing systems. 
3. Labour and speed 
   • With bottled cordial, staff have to mix drinks manually, often by eye. This method takes time and can lead to inconsistency. Post-mix systems on the other hand, deliver pre-mixed drinks instantly with no guesswork. 
   • Bottles are manageable in smaller settings where there is no need to clean post-mix machines, etc., but only if speed isn’t a priority.
4. Waste and environmental impact 
   • Post-mix solutions typically come in bag-in-box form and are used until empty or disconnected. They use far less packaging than dozens of plastic bottles, which also tend to require more deliveries, which means a higher carbon footprint over time. 
5. Emergency flexibility 
   • If you run out of stock unexpectedly, you can usually grab more bottles from a local store, but with post-mix, you’re dependent on the supplier and delivery schedule, which makes inventory planning important. 

Using a trusted supplier with reliable UK-wide delivery and responsive customer support can make all the difference.  So, bottled cordial or post mix? 

Choosing the right solution isn’t just about the price tag, it’s about performance, consistency, and long-term savings. 

If you’re running a low-volume operation, bottled cordial may be easier to manage short-term. But for venues with steady footfall or high drink turnover, post-mix is more cost-effective, efficient, and scalable, offering stronger returns over time. 

Use our handy table below for an overview of the pros and cons of both options:

Factor	Post-Mix Cordial	Bottled Cordial
Cost per serve	Better value for high-volume venues.	Generally more expensive per serve.
Storage and space	Far more storage-friendly, compact.	Requires more storage space and handling.
Labour and speed	Reduces serving time and ensures consistency.	Manual mixing can be slower and less consistent.
Sustainability	More sustainable with less packaging waste.	More packaging waste and higher environmental impact.
Emergency flexibility	Dependent on supplier and delivery schedule.	More flexible; can be sourced locally in emergencies.

The decision is ultimately yours. Consider shelf life, how much space the product takes up, and how easily your team can handle and serve drinks during busy periods. Whatever you decide, a reliable supplier can make all the difference, impacting your reputation and returns. Think post mix cordials might be the right option for you? Contact us today.