Couples and small groups on a short stay
Individual 150ml portions let you open a mixer when you make a drink, rather than opening a large bottle for just one or two serves.
Who are mini mixers useful for?
Groups making different drinks
Separate packs of tonic, slimline tonic, lemonade or ginger ale let guests choose a mixer without committing everyone to one large bottle.
Guests comparing tonic recipes
Mini packs include regular and light or slimline options. Check the exact flavour and nutrition panel if that distinction matters to your group.
What should you check before buying?
Work out which mixers people will use and roughly how many drinks they expect to make, then compare pack sizes and labels.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Portion size | Count the expected drinks by mixer type. Fever-Tree suggests 150ml of its mixer with 50ml of spirit for one serve; other recipes and preferences may differ. | For an occasional drink, I would rather open one small mixer than start a larger bottle. |
| Shared use | Consider a larger bottle if several guests will use the same mixer soon after opening. Individual portions give you more flexibility when preferences differ. | If everyone wants the same tonic, a larger bottle could suit our stay; otherwise, separate portions are easier to plan around. |
| Flavour | Check whether you need Indian tonic, Mediterranean tonic, lemonade or ginger ale. For flavoured tonics, read the maker’s description rather than assuming they taste alike. | We are making different drinks, so I want to pick mixers for those drinks rather than buy one flavour for the whole group. |
| Recipe and label | Compare energy and sugars on the same per-100ml basis. Read the exact pack for ingredients, allergens, date marking and any storage instructions relevant to your guests. | I want guests to be able to check what is in the mixer before it is served. |
What buying mistakes can you avoid?
-
Buying one large bottle for several different drinks
A single bottle gives the group one mixer choice, even if guests plan to make different drinks.
Estimate serves by flavour. Use individual portions for the less frequently requested mixers, and consider a larger bottle for a flavour several people expect to use.
-
Assuming every tonic has the same flavour
Fever-Tree positions its Mediterranean tonic for citrus and herbaceous gins, while Fentimans describes herbal infusions in its Premium Indian Tonic. Those descriptions are not interchangeable with a plain tonic choice.
Check the tonic’s stated flavour before buying a whole multipack, particularly when guests have different drink preferences.
-
Comparing a light claim with every other mixer
Fever-Tree’s stated calorie comparisons for its light Indian and Mediterranean tonics use its own Premium Indian Tonic as the reference, not every tonic on the shelf.
For an exact-product comparison, read the nutrition panels and use the same per-100ml basis.
-
Relying on an online listing when serving guests
The formulation on the physical pack is the information guests need for that particular drink, especially when ingredients or allergens matter.
Check the can or bottle label, date marking and relevant storage instructions before serving.
Which mixer brands are relevant?
These brand references help distinguish mixer styles and formats; check the exact product and pack for your stay.
Fever-Tree
Tesco lists 150ml multipacks of Fever-Tree Premium Indian and Refreshingly Light tonics, including a Mediterranean variant.
- The product pages distinguish flavours and show nutrition information for the listed variants.
- Its suggested spirit pairings are brand guidance; choose the flavour for the drinks your group intends to make.
Schweppes
Tesco lists Schweppes 150ml multipacks in tonic, slimline tonic, ginger ale and lemonade styles.
- The listed range offers several mixer types in individual portions.
- Check the exact pack label when ingredients or nutrition affect your choice.
Fentimans
Fentimans describes its Premium Indian Tonic as made with herbal infusions, Sicilian lemon oil and lemongrass extract.
- Its stated botanical ingredients offer a specific flavour direction to consider.
- Check the pack size when shopping for individual cottage-stay portions.
Britvic
Britvic’s 2016 range announcement included 125ml bottles and 150ml cans across several mixer styles.
- The announced range covered tonic, ginger ale, soda and lemonade.
- That historical announcement does not establish the pack sizes or recipes of products sold today; check the current listing.
London Essence
Britvic announced a six-pack of 150ml London Essence Crafted Lemonade cans for retailers in May 2025.
- The announced format is a mini-can lemonade option rather than another tonic.
- Check the current retailer listing for the particular pack you want.
Joybuy mini mixer options
These individual-portion packs cover tonic, lemonade and ginger ale choices for drinks during a self-catering cottage stay.
No image available
Schweppes Slimline Tonic Water 12 x 150ml
A slimline tonic choice for guests who want individual portions. The pack contains 12 x 150ml; check the physical label for sweetener and phenylalanine information if relevant to your group.
No image available
Fever-Tree Refreshingly Light Mediterranean Tonic Water 8 x 150ml
An eight-pack of 150ml Mediterranean tonic portions for a group choosing that flavour. Fever-Tree positions this tonic for citrus or herbaceous gin styles; check the exact label if comparing its light recipe with another mixer.
No image available
Schweppes Indian Tonic Water 12 x 150ml
Individual regular-tonic portions for guests planning drinks with Indian tonic. The pack is listed as 12 x 150ml; check the actual container format and physical ingredient label before buying for specific dietary needs.
No image available
Schweppes Original Lemonade 12 x 150ml
A non-tonic option when guests want lemonade in individual portions rather than a larger opened bottle. The pack is listed as 12 x 150ml; check the physical label for phenylalanine information if relevant.
No image available
Canada Dry Ginger Ale 12 x 150ml mini cans
Ginger ale portions for drinks that call for a mixer other than tonic. The pack is listed as 12 x 150ml mini cans; use the physical nutrition label if energy or sugars affect your choice.
Questions about mixers for a cottage stay
Is a 150ml can enough for one mixed drink?
It matches Fever-Tree’s suggested serve of 150ml mixer with 50ml spirit. Guests who prefer a longer drink may use more mixer, so count their expected serves before choosing a pack size.
Should I buy mini mixers or a larger bottle?
Choose individual portions for occasional drinks or different mixer preferences. Consider a larger bottle when several people plan to use the same mixer soon after opening.
How do Fever-Tree’s Premium Indian and light tonics differ?
Tesco lists Fever-Tree Premium Indian Tonic at 30kcal and 7.4g sugars per 100ml. Fever-Tree states that its Refreshingly Light Indian and Mediterranean tonics have, respectively, 50% and 43% fewer calories than its Premium Indian Tonic; those figures are comparisons within its own range, not with every other mixer.
Can I use an online listing to check ingredients for guests?
Use it to plan, but read the physical pack before serving anyone with an allergy or specific dietary requirement. The pack identifies the formulation being served and carries the relevant ingredient and allergen information.