Who is this choice for?

Hosts serving mixed-age guests

Offer water and non-cola drinks alongside any cola. The NHS suggests water or sugar-free drinks in place of sugary fizzy drinks, which is worth considering when children are among the guests.

Hosts wanting a zero-sugar cola

Coca-Cola Zero Sugar and Pepsi Max each list 0g sugars per 100ml. Both contain sweeteners and carry a statement that they contain a source of phenylalanine, so check the label when ingredients matter to a guest.

Hosts accommodating caffeine avoidance

Look for a separately named caffeine-free variant rather than relying on a zero-sugar label. Pepsi Max No Caffeine is described by PepsiCo as containing no caffeine, while Sainsbury’s lists Coca-Cola Zero Sugar Zero Caffeine as caffeine-free.

What should you check before buying?

Decide which drinks to offer, then choose a serving format that fits your table and chilling space.

Priority What to check Your needs
Sugars Compare labels per 100ml: The Coca-Cola Company lists 10.6g sugars for Original Taste and 0g for Zero Sugar. PepsiCo lists 4.5g for Pepsi and 0g for Pepsi Max. With children and adults at the party, I want water available as well as any cola. A zero-sugar cola gives guests another option without assuming everyone wants the same drink.
Caffeine Check the exact variant name and ingredients. Coca-Cola Zero Sugar and Pepsi Max contain caffeine; their separately named no-caffeine variants are different products. If a guest avoids caffeine, I need a cola explicitly labelled caffeine-free, not just zero-sugar.
Ingredients Read the current pack for sweeteners and the phenylalanine statement. These appear in the product information for Coca-Cola Zero Sugar and Pepsi Max. A guest’s ingredient requirements matter more than a broad claim on the front of the pack, so I’ll check the particular drink before serving it.
Serving format Check bottle or can size, pack quantity and available chilling space. Sainsbury’s lists 2L bottles and cola can multipacks in several pack sizes. For a pour-your-own table, I can use larger bottles. If individual portions will be easier to hand out, cans may suit the gathering better.

Common buying mistakes

  • Assuming zero-sugar means caffeine-free

    Coca-Cola Zero Sugar and Pepsi Max contain caffeine. Their caffeine-free alternatives have distinct product names.

    Check both the variant name and current ingredient list if a guest needs to avoid caffeine.

  • Making regular cola the only soft drink

    Coca-Cola Original Taste lists 10.6g sugars per 100ml. The NHS suggests water or sugar-free drinks instead of sugary fizzy drinks.

    Keep water available and consider a zero-sugar cola alongside regular cola for guests who want a choice.

  • Treating every zero-sugar cola as interchangeable

    The zero-sugar Coca-Cola and Pepsi variants described here contain sweeteners and carry a statement that they contain a source of phenylalanine.

    Check the current pack with guests who have specific ingredient requirements rather than relying on the zero-sugar wording alone.

Brand and retailer references

Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola lists Original Taste, Zero Sugar and a separately named Zero Sugar Zero Caffeine variant.

  • The Coca-Cola Company lists 10.6g sugars per 100ml for Original Taste and 0g for Zero Sugar.
  • Coca-Cola Zero Sugar contains caffeine and sweeteners; do not mistake it for the caffeine-free variant.

Pepsi

Pepsi’s listed options include regular Pepsi, Pepsi Max and Pepsi Max No Caffeine.

  • PepsiCo lists 4.5g sugars per 100ml for Pepsi and 0g for Pepsi Max.
  • Pepsi Max contains caffeine; Pepsi Max No Caffeine is a separate sweetened variant.

Tesco

Tesco’s caffeine-free cola listings include branded variants and Tesco Caffeine Free Diet Cola 2L.

  • The listed formats include 2L bottles and can multipacks.
  • Check the label of the particular product for its ingredients and pack details.

Sainsbury’s

Sainsbury’s lists branded and own-label colas in bottles and multipacks.

  • Its Coca-Cola Zero Sugar Zero Caffeine listing identifies a zero-sugar, caffeine-free option.
  • Check the current pack before relying on ingredient or dietary information in a listing.

Cola options for the drinks table

These Joybuy options cover individual cans of regular, zero-sugar and caffeine-free cola, plus larger bottles of regular cola for pouring.

Pepsi Max Caffeine Free, 24 cans of 330ml

Pepsi Max Caffeine Free, 24 × 330ml

Individual cans for guests who want a zero-sugar cola without caffeine. This variant contains sweeteners and a source of phenylalanine; check the current pack for specific ingredient requirements.

View on Joybuy
Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, 24 cans of 330ml

Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, 24 × 330ml

Individual cans for guests choosing a zero-sugar cola. The Coca-Cola Company lists 0g sugars per 100ml; this variant contains caffeine and sweeteners and is not the caffeine-free option.

View on Joybuy
Pepsi Regular, eight 2L bottles

Pepsi Regular, 8 × 2L

Large bottles for a table where drinks will be poured. PepsiCo lists 4.5g sugars per 100ml for Pepsi, which contains caffeine; consider the quantity and space needed to chill eight bottles.

View on Joybuy
Coca-Cola Original Taste, 24 cans of 330ml

Coca-Cola Original Taste, 24 × 330ml

Individual cans for guests who specifically want regular cola. The Coca-Cola Company lists 10.6g sugars per 100ml, and the ingredients include caffeine flavouring; offer water and other choices alongside it.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Should I offer regular cola, zero-sugar cola or both?

For mixed-age christening guests, keep water available and consider both cola types if some guests specifically prefer regular cola. The Coca-Cola Company lists 10.6g sugars per 100ml for Original Taste and 0g for Zero Sugar; PepsiCo also lists 0g for Pepsi Max. Taste preferences still vary.

Is zero-sugar cola caffeine-free?

Not necessarily. Coca-Cola Zero Sugar and Pepsi Max contain caffeine. If caffeine avoidance matters, choose an explicitly named variant such as Pepsi Max No Caffeine or Coca-Cola Zero Sugar Zero Caffeine, and check its current label.

What should I check for guests with ingredient requirements?

Check the current pack’s ingredient list and statements for the exact variant being served. The zero-sugar Coca-Cola and Pepsi products discussed here contain sweeteners, and their product information includes a statement that they contain a source of phenylalanine.

Should I buy bottles or cans for a christening party?

Choose 2L bottles if drinks will be poured at a table and you have room to chill them. Choose 330ml cans if individual portions and handing out drinks matter more; check the pack quantity against the servings you expect to need.