How To Make Fruit Squash

You can make fruit squash at home by mixing fruit juice or puree with sugar and water to create a concentrated syrup.
 
Fruit squash is a popular drink in many countries especially in the UK and India where it’s often called cordial or sherbet.
 
The best part is you can make fruit squash with just about any fruit you have on hand including oranges lemons limes berries mangoes and even passion fruit.
 
And when you make fruit squash yourself you control the sugar level and avoid the artificial stuff found in store-bought versions.
 
In this post we’ll walk through how to make fruit squash at home the easy way plus tips for storing it and serving it so it always tastes fresh.
 

How to Make Fruit Squash

So how do you make fruit squash exactly?
 
Making fruit squash boils down to three simple steps: extract the juice make a sugar syrup and combine them.
 
Before you start making fruit squash you’ll want to gather a few basic things.
 

1. Gather Your Ingredients for Fruit Squash

To make fruit squash you need fresh fruit sugar water and either citric acid or lemon juice as a preservative.
 
Citric acid helps your fruit squash last longer and gives it that tangy kick that makes it so refreshing.
 
If you don’t have citric acid you can use lemon juice instead though your fruit squash won’t keep quite as long.
 
A good rule of thumb when you make fruit squash is one part sugar to one part water for the syrup base.
 

2. Prepare the Fruit for Your Squash

Wash your fruit thoroughly and remove any stems seeds or pits before you make fruit squash.
 
If you’re using citrus fruits like lemons or oranges you’ll want to juice them and strain out the pulp and seeds.
 
For berries and soft fruits you can blend them and then strain the puree through a fine mesh sieve.
 
When you make fruit squash with harder fruits like mango or pineapple you’ll need to cook them down a bit first to soften them before juicing.
 
The goal is to end up with a smooth clear juice that will blend nicely into your fruit squash syrup.
 

3. Make the Sugar Syrup

Combine equal parts sugar and water in a saucepan and heat it gently while stirring until the sugar dissolves completely.
 
Don’t let the syrup boil hard when you make fruit squash because you don’t want it to thicken too much.
 
Once the sugar is fully dissolved remove the syrup from the heat and let it cool to room temperature.
 
Hot syrup will cook your fresh juice and dull the flavor of your fruit squash so patience here really pays off.
 

4. Combine Everything to Finish Your Fruit Squash

Pour your fruit juice into the cooled syrup and stir well to combine everything evenly.
 
Add your citric acid or lemon juice at this stage and stir again because this is what preserves your fruit squash.
 
Taste your fruit squash and adjust the sweetness or tartness to your liking.
 
If your fruit squash tastes too sweet add a little more lemon juice and if it’s too tart add a touch more sugar syrup.
 

How to Store and Serve Your Fruit Squash

Storing your fruit squash properly is key to making it last.
 
Pour your fruit squash into clean sterilized bottles or jars and seal them tightly.
 
Homemade fruit squash will keep in the fridge for about two to three weeks when made with citric acid.
 
If you used lemon juice instead your fruit squash is best consumed within a week to ten days.
 

1. How to Serve Your Fruit Squash

To serve your fruit squash simply dilute it with cold water at a ratio of about one part squash to four or five parts water.
 
Everyone likes their fruit squash a little different so start with less water and add more until it tastes right to you.
 
Serve your fruit squash over ice with a slice of fresh fruit or a sprig of mint for a lovely presentation.
 

2. Add Sparkling Water for a Fizzy Twist

If you want a fizzy drink try mixing your fruit squash with sparkling water instead of still water.
 
This turns your homemade fruit squash into a refreshing soda alternative that’s perfect for warm days.
 
You can also use your fruit squash as a base for cocktails or mocktails which makes it super versatile.
 

3. Experiment With Different Fruit Combinations

Don’t be afraid to mix fruits when you make fruit squash because some of the best flavors come from happy accidents.
 
Try making fruit squash with strawberry and lemon or mango and passion fruit for something truly special.
 
You can also add fresh ginger or basil to your fruit squash while it steeps for an herbal twist.
 
The beauty of learning how to make fruit squash is that you can customize it endlessly to suit your taste.
 

A Few Extra Tips for Making Fruit Squash

Use ripe fruit when you make fruit squash because ripe fruit has more natural sugar and better flavor.
 
Sterilize your bottles by washing them in hot soapy water and drying them in a low oven before filling them with fruit squash.
 
Label your bottles with the date so you know when your fruit squash was made and how long it’s been sitting.
 
And remember that homemade fruit squash has no preservatives beyond what you add so always store it in the fridge.
 

So, How Do You Make Fruit Squash?

You can make fruit squash at home by mixing fresh fruit juice with a simple sugar syrup and a little citric acid or lemon juice for preservation.
 
Fruit squash is easy to make with whatever fruit you love and it tastes so much better than anything you’ll buy at the store.
 
Once you get the hang of making fruit squash you’ll never want to go back to the bottled stuff again.
 
So grab your favorite fruit and get ready to make fruit squash that your whole family will enjoy.