Diabolo

 

A selection of syrups in a bar in Chateau-Renault.

A diabolo is an iconic non-alcoholic drink that can be ordered in any French bar by anyone. It is not just for kids. It is often for old blokes who no longer drink alcohol but like hanging out in their local bar. It consists of a fruit flavoured syrup ('sirop' in French, what I would call cordial, but if you are British you would call squash) with old fashioned artisanal still lemonade (ahem...very sweet and not very lemony). 

The diabolo flavours available in a bar in Chateau-Renault. 50c cheaper if you have water rather than lemonade.

The most popular flavour, in my experience, is mint, but also popular are grenadine, strawberry, lemon and blackcurrant. The drink appeared in the 1920s and had its peak of popularity in that decade. They remain popular with the North African immigrant community and during heatwaves.