Hosts serving different drinks
Small cans let guests prepare individual drinks without opening several large bottles at once. Tesco Groceries lists 150ml multipacks across tonic and ginger options.
Who is choosing the mixers?
Hosts including alcohol-free choices
Choose at least one can guests can pour over ice without a spirit, rather than making tonic for mixed drinks the only option. London Essence describes its crafted sodas as an adult-soft-drink option.
Small-group brunch planners
Decide whether individual 150ml cans or cans intended for sharing match the drinks you expect to serve. Britvic describes each of its 330ml tonic cans as two serves.
What matters when choosing cans?
Start with the drinks guests are likely to want, then match the can size and pack count to those serves.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Flavour choice | Choose between tonic’s quinine bitterness, citrus-led lemonade and ginger flavours. Check whether each pack contains one flavour or an assortment. | I’d like guests to have an alternative if tonic is not their choice. A separate lemonade or ginger pack can provide that choice without treating the flavours as interchangeable. |
| Can size and count | Multiply the can count by its volume to compare total liquid. Tesco Groceries lists several 150ml multipacks; Britvic described its 330ml tonic can as two serves. | For individual pours, I’d choose smaller cans. If a few guests will share longer drinks, I’d check whether larger cans fit the plan. |
| Alcohol-free serving | Check whether a lemonade, crafted soda or other chosen mixer appeals when served on its own, and keep spirits separate when setting out drinks. | Some guests may want a drink over ice without alcohol, while others may use the same selection for mixing. |
| Ingredients and labels | Read the exact can’s ingredients and allergen information, including any precautionary statement. Check for quinine in tonic. | If a guest has previously reacted to quinine or needs to avoid an ingredient, I need an option whose own label suits their requirements. The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency specifically notes that quinine can be found in tonic water and other beverages. |
Common buying mistakes
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Buying only tonic for varied preferences
Tonic’s bitterness will not suit every planned drink or every guest who wants something to sip without a spirit.
Use tonic as the main option if it fits the drinks planned, then consider a lemonade, crafted soda or ginger pack for a different flavour.
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Comparing packs by can count alone
Twelve 150ml cans and six 330ml cans provide different total volumes and different ways to portion drinks.
Calculate the total volume and decide whether guests need individual pours or cans that can be shared.
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Skipping the label on the exact can
Ingredients and precautionary allergen statements concern the particular product. Tonic may contain quinine, which matters if a guest has previously reacted to it.
Check the current can label before serving and offer a suitable non-tonic choice when tonic is not appropriate for a guest.
Brands and flavour ranges
These ranges help distinguish flavour and can-size options; check the exact flavour and pack at your chosen retailer.
Fever-Tree
A tonic range with Premium Indian, Mediterranean, Aromatic, Elderflower and Rhubarb & Raspberry varieties listed by Fever-Tree. Tesco Groceries also lists 150ml tonic multipacks.
- Several tonic flavours offer a way to plan different pairings; Fever-Tree says its tonics are crafted to complement varied gin flavour profiles.
- Check the particular flavour and pack locally: Fever-Tree says not all stores stock its full range.
Schweppes
Tesco Groceries lists Schweppes Tonic Water and Slimline Tonic Water in 12 x 150ml packs, as well as Canada Dry Ginger Ale in the same format.
- The 12-can formats may suit a plan centred on one mixer flavour.
- A single-flavour tonic pack does not provide a ginger or lemonade alternative; check tonic labels for quinine.
The London Essence Co.
Britvic announced a Crafted Lemonade 150ml six-can pack and Crafted Soda 250ml four-can packs for UK retail in 2025.
- Lemonade and crafted soda offer non-tonic flavours that can be considered for drinks served without a spirit.
- Confirm the current flavour, format and stock with the retailer before planning around a particular pack.
Britvic Mixers
Britvic’s 2023 announcement described classic and zero-sugar Indian Tonic Water in 330ml six-packs.
- Britvic described each 330ml can as two serves, a useful distinction when planning shared pours.
- Check the current product label and retailer listing rather than assuming the announced formats are stocked locally.
Fentimans
Fentimans lists tonic, ginger ale, ginger beer, Rose Lemonade and fruit-led tonic flavours in its mixer range.
- The range provides flavour ideas beyond standard tonic for planning a mixed drinks table.
- Confirm that the flavour you want is sold in cans and in the required multipack format before making it part of the plan.
Joybuy mixer cans for brunch
These packs cover lemonade, tonic and ginger ale in 150ml cans for individual drinks. Choose flavours to suit the drinks planned; each listed pack contains one flavour.
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Fever-Tree Premium Lemonade 6 x 150ml
A citrus-led alternative to tonic for individually prepared drinks. The description identifies it as a mixer for spirits; it contains lemon juice from concentrate and states that it has no artificial flavours or sweeteners. Check the current can’s ingredients and allergen information.
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Schweppes Slimline Tonic Water 12 x 150ml
A tonic pack for individual pours when several guests want the same mixer. Its description lists zero sugar, quinine and aspartame, a source of phenylalanine. Check the can’s current label, particularly if a guest has previously reacted to quinine or needs to avoid an ingredient.
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Fever-Tree Indian Tonic Water 8 x 150ml
An eight-can tonic option for individually prepared drinks; the product description suggests serving a 150ml can with spirits including gin or vodka. The description lists quinine and sugar. Check the current ingredients before serving, particularly if a guest has previously reacted to quinine.
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Fever-Tree Refreshingly Light Ginger Ale 8 x 150ml
A ginger-flavoured alternative to tonic in individual 150ml cans. The description says it can be served on its own or mixed with whisky or rum. This is a single-flavour pack, so consider whether ginger suits the guests you expect.
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Canada Dry Ginger Ale Mini 12 x 150ml
A 12-can ginger ale pack for individual servings, either on its own or as a mixer, according to the product description. Check the current can label if nutrition figures or ingredients matter to your choice.
Frequently asked questions
How many mixer cans should I buy for brunch?
Plan around the drinks you expect to serve, then multiply the can count by its volume. Twelve 150ml cans contain 1.8 litres, eight 150ml cans contain 1.2 litres, and six 330ml cans contain 1.98 litres. If preferences vary, consider a main flavour and a smaller alternative rather than assuming everyone wants tonic.
Should I choose 150ml or 330ml mixer cans?
Choose 150ml cans for individual pours or several flavour choices. A 330ml can may fit shared drinks better; Britvic describes its 330ml tonic can as two serves. Consider whether an opened larger can will be used before choosing that format.
What can I offer guests who are not drinking alcohol?
Include a lemonade, crafted soda or other drink they would enjoy poured over ice without a spirit. Keep it accessible as a drink in its own right, rather than assuming every mixer will be combined with alcohol.
Should I check tonic water labels before serving guests?
Yes. Check the exact can’s ingredients and allergen information, including precautionary statements. If a guest has previously reacted to quinine, do not presume tonic is suitable: the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency notes that quinine is found in tonic water and other beverages.
Does a retailer listing mean every mixer flavour is in stock?
No. Check the exact flavour, can size and pack count at your chosen retailer before ordering. Fever-Tree also notes that stores do not all stock its full range.