How Do You Cook Orange Squash

You can make orange squash by mixing orange cordial with water, and it’s one of the simplest and most refreshing drinks you can whip up at home.
 
Whether you call it orange squash, orange cordial, or orange drink, the process is quick and forgiving.
 
If you’ve been wondering how do you cook orange squash, the honest answer is that you don’t really cook it in the traditional sense.
 
Instead, you prepare orange squash by diluting a concentrated syrup with water until it tastes just right.
 
The word “cook” trips people up because it sounds like a stovetop job, but making orange squash is more about mixing than heating.
 
You can, however, make your own orange squash from scratch by simmering a homemade syrup, and that’s where a little “cooking” comes in.
 
In this post, we’ll look at how to make orange squash from a store-bought bottle and how to cook orange squash from scratch.
 

How Do You Cook Orange Squash From a Bottle?

Cooking orange squash from a bottle takes seconds, and it’s the way most people enjoy this drink.
 
Here’s how to do it:
 

1. Pick Your Orange Squash Concentrate

Start with a good quality orange squash or orange cordial, which is a thick, sweet syrup.
 
Most bottles are designed to be diluted, so check the label for the recommended ratio.
 
A common ratio is one part squash to four or five parts water, but this varies by brand.
 

2. Dilute With Water

Pour your desired amount of orange squash into a glass or jug.
 
Add cold water and stir well.
 
If you’re making a large jug, use one cup of squash to about four or five cups of cold water as a starting point.
 

3. Taste and Adjust

This is the fun part.
 
Take a sip and add more squash if you want a stronger flavor, or more water if it’s too sweet.
 
Some people like their orange squash bold, others prefer it light and refreshing.
 

4. Add Ice and Serve

Drop in some ice cubes, give it a stir, and serve.
 
That’s how you cook orange squash the easy way, no heat required.
 

How Do You Cook Orange Squash From Scratch?

If you want to cook orange squash from scratch, you’ll actually use your stove, and the results are wonderful.
 
Here’s a simple method:
 

1. Gather Your Ingredients

You’ll need fresh oranges, sugar, water, and a little lemon juice.
 
For a batch, try four large oranges, two cups of sugar, two cups of water, and a squeeze of lemon.
 

2. Make the Simple Syrup

Heat the sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat.
 
Stir until the sugar dissolves completely, then let it simmer for a couple of minutes.
 
This syrup becomes the base of your homemade orange squash.
 

3. Add the Orange Juice

Juice your oranges and strain out the pulp and seeds if you prefer a smooth squash.
 
Pour the juice into the syrup, add a splash of lemon juice, and stir.
 

4. Cool and Bottle

Let your orange squash concentrate cool completely.
 
Pour it into a clean bottle or jar and store it in the fridge.
 
To serve, dilute it with cold water just like you would with a store-bought bottle.
 

Tips for Making the Best Orange Squash

A few small tweaks can take your orange squash from good to great.
 

1. Balance Sweetness and Tartness

Orange squash can get too sweet fast, so always taste as you go.
 
A little lemon juice brightens the flavor and keeps things from tasting flat.
 

2. Use Chilled Water

Cold water makes a big difference in how refreshing your orange squash tastes.
 
If you’re using homemade squash, keep the syrup in the fridge so it’s ready to go.
 

3. Get Creative With Add-Ins

Try adding mint leaves, a slice of fresh orange, or even a splash of sparkling water.
 
Cooking orange squash with a twist is a great way to keep it interesting.
 

So, How Do You Cook Orange Squash?

You cook orange squash by diluting a concentrate with water, or by simmering your own syrup from scratch if you want the homemade version.
 
Either way, it’s a quick, refreshing drink that’s hard to get wrong.
 
Whether you grab a bottle or cook up a batch, you now know exactly how to make orange squash.
 
Enjoy your glass.