Parents hosting mixed-age parties
Choose non-alcoholic drinks, then compare flavours, can sizes and labelled sugars so the selection works for the guests you expect.
Choose clearly non-alcoholic soft-drink cans before comparing flavours or pack sizes. A lemonade-style pack can be the main option for a mixed-age party; consider ginger or other distinctive flavours alongside it if they suit your guests. Compare sugars per 100ml and per can, ingredients and the number of servings on the exact packs you intend to buy.
Choose non-alcoholic drinks, then compare flavours, can sizes and labelled sugars so the selection works for the guests you expect.
Check the nutrition panel and ingredients on each pack. NHS guidance identifies sugar-free, diet and no-added-sugar drinks as alternatives to sugary fizzy drinks.
A smaller ginger-flavoured option can sit alongside a lemonade-style drink if guests want a choice. Keep alcoholic ready-to-drink cans separate from drinks intended for children.
Confirm that each product is a non-alcoholic soft drink, then compare its label, flavour and number of individual servings.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Sugars and ingredients | Compare labelled sugars per 100ml and the amount in one can; check the can volume and ingredient list. A sugar-free or no-added-sugar name does not replace the full label. | I want to compare what one served can contains, not judge a drink by words such as “premium” on the front. NHS guidance advises limiting free sugars. |
| Flavour | Check whether the drink is intended to be served on its own and whether its flavour is lemonade-style, ginger or botanical. Fever-Tree describes its Premium Lemonade as a soft drink in its own right. | For a mixed-age group, I would offer a familiar option and add a distinctive flavour only if it suits the guest list. |
| Servings | Check the number of cans and millilitres per can, then calculate the total servings and volume. Britvic announced a six-can, 150ml London Essence Crafted Lemonade format in May 2025; confirm the current pack details before buying. | Smaller individual portions may suit my plans, but I need enough cans for the number of drinks I intend to serve. |
| Alcohol | Read the exact product title, retailer category and alcohol by volume (ABV). Tesco’s ready-to-drink spirits category includes cans marked 5% vol. | Every can set aside for children must be a non-alcoholic soft drink, not a premixed spirit and mixer. |
Those descriptions do not tell you how much sugar is in the can. The nutrition panel gives a basis for comparing exact products and serving sizes.
Check sugars per 100ml and per can, as well as the ingredients, before committing to a multipack.
Guests who want a lemonade-style drink may have no option they prefer if every can has a more distinctive flavour.
Consider a familiar main option, with a smaller alternative pack if the guest mix calls for one.
Pack count alone does not show how many individual drinks or how much total liquid you are buying.
Multiply cans per pack by the number of packs, and compare the volume of each can with your intended servings.
A ready-to-drink spirits listing can contain a spirit mixed with a soft drink. Tesco’s category includes products labelled 5% vol.
Check the product title, category and ABV, and select clearly non-alcoholic cans for children.
A brand name can suggest a flavour to investigate, but the exact product label and pack format determine what you would serve.
Fever-Tree describes its Premium Lemonade as a drink that can be enjoyed on its own, as well as used as a mixer.
Fentimans lists its Ginger Ale in a 4 × 200ml format.
Britvic announced a six-can, 150ml London Essence Crafted Lemonade multipack in May 2025.
Schweppes describes its Lemon drink as combining lemon juice and lemon rind.
These Joybuy options include lemon-flavoured soft drinks, lemonade and ginger ale in different pack sizes. Compare the exact labels and serving counts for your party.
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The 24-pack offers individual 330ml portions for a larger drinks table. Check the current nutrition panel and ingredients if you are comparing sugar-free options.
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This lemon-flavoured 24-pack offers individual 330ml portions. Compare sugars for a full can, not just per 100ml, when choosing between pack sizes.
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For smaller lemonade portions, this pack contains six 150ml units. Fever-Tree describes Premium Lemonade as suitable for drinking on its own; check the exact pack’s label before serving.
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This strawberry-and-lemon option comes in a four-pack of 330ml portions. Count it as four planned servings and check the ingredients and nutrition panel for the exact product.
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The 12-pack offers 150ml ginger-ale portions if you want a flavour alongside lemonade. Check that ginger ale suits your guests and compare the current label’s sugars per can.
Compare labelled sugars per 100ml, then use the can volume to work out the amount in one serving if it is not stated. Check the exact label rather than assuming a smaller can has less sugar than another drink; the NHS advises limiting free sugars.
Decide how many individual drinks you intend to offer, then divide that number by the cans per pack and round up to a whole pack. Compare can volumes too: Britvic’s May 2025 announcement described a London Essence Crafted Lemonade pack of six 150ml cans, but you should check the format of the product you buy.
Check the exact title, retailer category and ABV, and choose clearly non-alcoholic soft drinks for children. Tesco’s ready-to-drink spirits category includes products marked 5% vol, which are different from standalone soft-drink mixers.