Short-walk picnic hikers
A fizzy drink can be a snack-time extra on a short walk if there is room to protect the glass and carry the empty bottle away. UK Government outdoor guidance says not to leave bottles or glass in woodlands.
Who is this choice for?
The length of the walk and what you can carry matter more than the appeal of a glass bottle on its own.
Buyers comparing drink formulations
Check sugars per 100ml on the exact drink, then read any sweetener, caffeine and phenylalanine statements that matter to you. Regular and zero-sugar versions from the same brand need not have the same ingredients.
Long-distance or warm-weather walkers
Plan the water you will carry before deciding whether to add a fizzy drink for a stop. The NHS notes that people may need more fluid during prolonged activity or in hot conditions and identifies water as the best way to replace fluid lost through activity.
What should you check before packing a drink?
Set your water plan for the route first, then consider the drink’s formulation and whether you can carry glass safely throughout the walk.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Water for the route | Consider the walk’s duration and conditions. Pack water separately rather than treating the fizzy drink as your only drink; the NHS identifies water as the best way to replace fluid lost through activity. | For a long walk or a warm day, I want water planned before adding a drink to have with my snacks. |
| Drink formulation | Compare sugars on the same per 100ml basis and check the exact product’s ingredients. Read caffeine, sweetener and phenylalanine statements where relevant. | I want to know what is in the bottle, rather than assuming a regular or zero-sugar name tells me everything about its formulation. |
| Glass handling | Check whether the bottle fits in a protected part of your pack. Plan to keep the empty bottle with you until you can dispose of it appropriately. | If I take glass to a picnic stop, I need to carry it out as well as carry it in. |
What can go wrong on the walk?
-
Making the fizzy drink your water plan
Fluid needs may increase during prolonged activity or hot weather. NHS guidance identifies water as the best way to replace fluid lost through physical activity.
Pack water for the walk first; treat a fizzy drink as an optional accompaniment to a snack stop.
-
Leaving the empty bottle behind
UK Government outdoor fire-safety guidance says not to leave bottles or glass in woodlands, and the Scottish Outdoor Access Code says to take litter away.
Keep the empty bottle protected in your pack and take it home, or use an appropriate waste or recycling point.
-
Assuming similar names mean similar ingredients
Coca-Cola GB lists 10.6g sugars per 100ml for Coca-Cola Original Taste, while Pepsi UK lists 4.5g per 100ml for Pepsi and 0g per 100ml for Pepsi Max. Those figures describe different formulations, not every drink from either brand.
Read the label of the exact drink you are buying, including its sugars per 100ml and any caffeine or sweetener declarations.
Brand formulations to compare
These manufacturer details can help you compare labels; they do not establish that a particular drink is sold in a glass bottle.
Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola Original Taste is a regular cola to consider if you want a familiar flavour alongside snacks.
- Coca-Cola GB lists 10.6g sugars per 100ml for Original Taste and includes caffeine flavouring in its ingredient information.
- Check the exact bottle’s label and pack format before choosing it for a walk.
Pepsi
Pepsi and Pepsi Max give you regular and zero-sugar cola formulations to compare.
- Pepsi UK lists 4.5g sugars per 100ml for Pepsi and 0g per 100ml for Pepsi Max.
- Pepsi Max contains sweeteners and caffeine; check the label if either affects your choice. The manufacturer information does not identify a glass-bottle listing here.
Sprite
Sprite offers lemon-and-lime flavoured regular and zero-sugar formulations for comparison.
- Coca-Cola GB lists 4.4g sugars per 100ml for Sprite and 0g per 100ml for Sprite Zero.
- Sprite Zero contains sweeteners and carries a phenylalanine statement. Check the exact product label and bottle format.
A glass-bottle option for a picnic stop
This sparkling apple drink is an option for a short snack stop where you can protect a glass bottle in your pack and carry it out afterwards. It is not a substitute for planning water for the walk.
No image available
De Vina Sparkling Apple 750ml
Consider this 750ml sparkling apple drink for a picnic stop only if you can protect the glass bottle during the walk and take the empty bottle away. Check the label on the exact product for sugars and other nutrition details before buying.
Questions about drinks on a hike
Should a glass-bottle fizzy drink be my main drink on a hike?
Plan water as your main drink, particularly for a long walk or hot conditions. The NHS says people may need more fluid during prolonged activity or in a hot environment and identifies water as the best way to replace fluid lost through activity.
What should I do with an empty glass bottle outdoors?
Keep it with you and take it home, or put it in an appropriate waste or recycling bin. UK Government outdoor guidance specifically says not to leave bottles or glass in woodlands; the Scottish Outdoor Access Code also says to take litter away.
How do I compare regular and zero-sugar fizzy drinks?
Read the nutrition and ingredient label for the exact formulation, comparing sugars per 100ml on the same basis. Coca-Cola GB lists 10.6g per 100ml for Coca-Cola Original Taste; Pepsi UK lists 4.5g for Pepsi and 0g for Pepsi Max. Check sweetener, caffeine and phenylalanine statements where relevant to your choice.