Adults sharing individual cans
If several guests will each take a can, decide whether a 250ml or 500ml serving makes sense before choosing the pack size.
Who is choosing the drinks?
Adults choosing a sugar-free option
Check the sugar declaration for the exact variant, then read its caffeine information separately. Sugar-free does not mean caffeine-free.
Adults comparing caffeine per serving
Can size changes the amount in one drink. Tesco lists 32mg caffeine per 100ml for Red Bull Original, equivalent to 80mg in its 250ml can; Monster Energy UK lists 160mg in a 500ml Original can.
What should you check?
Start with the can each adult guest would actually drink, then compare its sugar declaration and caffeine information.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Can size | Check both cans per pack and millilitres per can. Tesco lists Red Bull packs of 12 × 250ml and Monster Original packs of 4 × 500ml. | I would rather offer each guest a smaller sealed can than assume everyone wants 500ml. |
| Caffeine per can | Read the amount per can, or calculate it from the stated amount per 100ml and can volume. Tesco’s Red Bull Original listing gives 32mg per 100ml, or 80mg per 250ml can; Monster Energy UK lists 160mg per 500ml Original can. | If guests are choosing for themselves, I want the caffeine amount for the whole can to be clear. |
| Sugar formulation | Check the exact variant: Tesco lists 11g sugars per 100ml for Red Bull Original and 0g per 100ml for Red Bull Sugarfree. Both listings give 32mg caffeine per 100ml. | I may want a no-sugar option, but I would still check its caffeine and sweeteners. |
| Sharing warnings | Read the warning on each chosen drink. Tesco’s Red Bull listings and Joybuy’s Relentless product information warn that their high-caffeine drinks are not recommended for children or pregnant or breastfeeding women. | Some guests may prefer a non-caffeinated drink, so I would keep those options separate and easy to identify. |
Mistakes to avoid
-
Counting cans without checking their size
A 500ml can is twice the volume of a 250ml can. Monster Energy UK lists 160mg caffeine in a 500ml Original can, while Tesco’s Red Bull Original figures give 80mg per 250ml can.
Choose the intended serving size first, then compare caffeine for the whole can.
-
Assuming sugar-free means caffeine-free
Tesco lists 0g sugars but 32mg caffeine per 100ml for Red Bull Sugarfree. Monster Energy UK lists 0g sugar and 160mg caffeine per 500ml for Monster Absolutely Zero.
Use the sugar declaration to choose a formulation, and check caffeine and sweeteners separately on the exact variant.
-
Offering energy drinks as general party soft drinks
The checked Red Bull and Relentless product information carries high-caffeine warnings, including advice against use by children or pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Read the warning before sharing a can and offer non-caffeinated drinks as well.
Relevant brands and retailers
Red Bull
Tesco lists Original and Sugarfree multipacks of 12 × 250ml cans, a format for smaller individual servings.
- The Tesco listings state 11g sugars per 100ml for Original and 0g for Sugarfree.
- Both listings state 32mg caffeine per 100ml and carry high-caffeine warnings.
Monster
Monster Energy UK describes 500ml Original and Absolutely Zero cans; check the precise variant when comparing them.
- The brand lists 160mg caffeine per 500ml for both named variants.
- Its Original page lists 55g sugar per 500ml, while Absolutely Zero is listed at 0g; those figures do not describe every Monster variant.
Relentless
Relentless Origin is listed as a 4 × 500ml pack, for adults who specifically want larger individual cans.
- Joybuy’s Relentless Origin product information states 32mg caffeine per 100ml.
- The product information advises against use by children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and people sensitive to caffeine.
Tesco
Tesco’s grocery listings show Red Bull 12-packs alongside Monster and Relentless 500ml four-packs.
- Its product listings provide pack sizes and label information for comparing the named variants.
- Check the exact product listing and local availability before planning how many cans to serve.
Sainsbury's
Relentless names Sainsbury's among its UK retailers.
- Check the current listing for the particular can size and multipack you want.
Joybuy multipack options
These multipacks offer 250ml, 355ml and 500ml cans for an adult curry night. Choose by the intended serving size and check the exact variant’s label before sharing.
No image available
CELSIUS Kiwi Guava 12 × 355ml
Twelve 355ml cans provide individual servings between the 250ml and 500ml formats shown here. Check the can’s caffeine information and warnings before offering it to guests.
No image available
Red Bull Energy Drink 12 × 250ml
The 250ml cans suit sharing when guests prefer a smaller individual serving. Tesco lists 32mg caffeine and 11g sugars per 100ml for this Original variant; that caffeine concentration equals 80mg per can. Read its high-caffeine warning before sharing.
No image available
Monster Energy Ultra Zero Sugar 4 × 500ml
This four-pack pairs a zero-sugar variant with larger 500ml cans. Check caffeine per can and the label warnings separately from the sugar declaration; figures for other Monster variants should not be assumed to apply to Ultra.
No image available
Red Bull Sugarfree Energy Drink 12 × 250ml
These smaller cans offer a sugar-free option for individual sharing. Tesco lists 0g sugars and 32mg caffeine per 100ml for Red Bull Sugarfree. Check its sweeteners and high-caffeine warning on the pack.
No image available
Monster Energy Drink Pipeline Punch 4 × 500ml
This four-pack is a larger-can choice for adults who want a 500ml serving. Check Pipeline Punch’s own caffeine and sugar declarations before sharing rather than using figures for Monster Original.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 500ml can equivalent to a 250ml serving?
No: the can contains twice the volume, and caffeine should be compared per can. Tesco’s Red Bull Original figures give 80mg per 250ml can, while Monster Energy UK lists 160mg per 500ml Original can.
Does sugar-free mean less caffeine?
Not necessarily. Tesco lists 0g sugars but 32mg caffeine per 100ml for Red Bull Sugarfree. Monster Energy UK lists 0g sugar and 160mg caffeine per 500ml for Monster Absolutely Zero; check the exact variant you plan to serve.
What should I consider if a guest is pregnant?
Check the drink’s warning and offer a non-caffeinated alternative. The NHS says pregnant people should not have more than 200mg caffeine a day, counting energy drinks among caffeine sources; the checked Red Bull and Relentless labels also say their drinks are not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Is there one age rule for energy drinks across the UK?
The Department of Health and Social Care announced in July 2026 that sales of high-caffeine energy drinks to under-16s in England are scheduled to be banned from April 2027; that announcement does not establish an identical rule across the UK. Separately, Joybuy’s Relentless product page states an 18+ delivery age-verification condition, which is a retailer policy.