BBQ hosts serving a group
Put larger still-water bottles on the serving table, then consider sparkling water or individual bottles where they suit how guests will serve themselves.
Who is choosing the water?
Shoppers avoiding added sugar
Check the ingredients of flavoured water rather than treating a low-sugar description as a no-added-sugar claim. Volvic lists sugar in its Touch of Fruit Lemon & Lime ingredients.
Guests who prefer fruit flavour
A sugar-free flavoured option may suit the drinks table, provided its ingredients also meet guests’ preferences about sweeteners.
What should you check?
Decide whether guests need plain, fizzy or flavoured water, then check the label and choose bottle sizes that suit how drinks will be served.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Added sugar | For flavoured water, read the ingredients for added sugar and check the sugars declaration per 100ml. Do not substitute a low-sugar claim for a no-added-sugar requirement. | I want a flavoured drink without added sugar, not merely one described as low sugar. |
| Sweeteners | Read the full ingredients list as well as the sugars line. Volvic Touch of Strawberry Sugar Free lists acesulfame K and sucralose, according to Volvic UK. | Fruit flavour appeals to me, but I also want to know which sweeteners are in the bottle. |
| Still or sparkling | Check whether the water is plain or flavoured, then whether it is still or sparkling. Highland Spring lists its plain sparkling water in 500ml, 1.5L and 6 x 1L formats. | Some guests would like fizz without choosing a flavoured soft drink. |
| Bottle format | Compare bottle volume and pack size with where guests will drink. Tesco lists large still-water bottles and multipacks; check the retailer’s current order limits for a larger online shop. | I need bottles for the table, with smaller ones if guests will carry drinks around the garden. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Equating low sugar with no added sugar
Low-sugar flavoured water can still contain added sugar. Volvic UK lists sugar at 2.3% in the ingredients of Touch of Fruit Lemon & Lime.
If avoiding added sugar is essential, check the specific bottle’s ingredients and sugars declaration before choosing it.
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Assuming sugar-free means unsweetened
A sugar-free flavoured drink may contain non-sugar sweeteners. Volvic UK lists acesulfame K and sucralose in Touch of Strawberry Sugar Free.
Read the ingredients if avoiding particular sweeteners matters to you.
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Choosing one bottle size for every guest
Large bottles suit a serving table, whereas individual bottles are easier to carry away from it.
Plan the mix around where guests will be drinking, rather than buying every bottle in the same format.
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Leaving a large online order until the last minute
Sainsbury’s states that it limits online orders of bottled water, including single bottles and multipacks. A planned quantity may therefore need adjusting at checkout.
Check the retailer’s current limits and availability before relying on one delivery for the BBQ.
Brand and retailer references
Highland Spring
Offers plain sparkling water and a separate flavoured-still range.
- Highland Spring describes its flavoured-still range as having no added sugar.
- Check the chosen flavour’s ingredients; the plain sparkling and flavoured ranges are different products.
Volvic
Has plain mineral water and distinct Touch of Fruit and Touch of Fruit Sugar Free lines.
- Volvic UK lists 0g sugars for Touch of Strawberry Sugar Free.
- Its Touch of Fruit Lemon & Lime lists added sugar; the Strawberry Sugar Free product lists sweeteners.
Buxton
A plain natural mineral-water option, with still-water multipacks listed by Tesco.
- Buxton describes its natural mineral water as having no chemicals added.
- Check the exact label rather than applying that description to other types of drink.
evian
Offers plain natural mineral water in its core range.
- evian describes its natural mineral water as having no extra additives or enhancements.
- Use the label of the product you select; the statement does not describe every possible range extension.
Tesco
Its UK still-water listings include own-brand and branded bottles in several sizes.
- The listings provide large bottles and multipacks to compare for table serving.
- Check current product labels and availability when placing an order.
Joybuy water options for a BBQ
These options cover plain still water, plain sparkling water and flavoured water for different ways of serving guests at a BBQ.
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Highland Spring Sparkling Spring Water 6 x 1L
A plain, fizzy option in six 1L bottles for sharing. Choose a flavoured drink separately if guests want fruit flavour.
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Highland Spring Still Water 6 x 1.5L
Plain still water in six 1.5L bottles for a shared drinks table. It has neither fizz nor fruit flavour.
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Highland Spring Sugar Free Strawberry Still Water 6 x 1.25L
A strawberry-flavoured still-water option in six 1.25L bottles. Check the bottle’s ingredients if particular sweeteners or other ingredients matter to guests.
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Buxton Sparkling Water 8 x 500ml
A plain sparkling option in eight individual 500ml bottles, suited to guests taking a bottle away from the serving table. It does not offer fruit flavour.
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Volvic Touch of Strawberry Sugar Free 6 x 500ml
A strawberry-flavoured option in six individual 500ml bottles. Check the exact pack’s label for its ingredients and sugars declaration before serving it to guests avoiding particular sweeteners.
Frequently asked questions
Is low-sugar water the same as no-added-sugar water?
No. Volvic UK lists sugar in the ingredients of Touch of Fruit Lemon & Lime. If avoiding added sugar is your requirement, read the ingredients of the specific drink rather than relying on a low-sugar description.
Can sugar-free flavoured water contain sweeteners?
Yes. Volvic UK lists acesulfame K and sucralose in Touch of Strawberry Sugar Free. Check the ingredients as well as the sugars declaration if sweeteners affect your choice.
Which bottle sizes suit a BBQ?
Larger bottles or multipacks suit a shared serving table; individual bottles suit guests moving around the garden. Tesco lists large still-water formats, while Highland Spring lists plain sparkling water in 500ml, 1.5L and 6 x 1L formats.
Is plain sparkling water a no-sugar fizzy option?
Plain sparkling water is a fizzy alternative to still water. A Natural Source Waters Association factsheet says plain sparkling water contains no sugar; check the exact label when choosing a flavoured sparkling drink instead.
Could online order limits affect a larger BBQ shop?
Yes. Sainsbury’s states online limits of 36 single bottles and six multipacks per order, and says bulky orders may be restricted. Check the retailer’s current limits and availability before depending on one order.