Hosts reducing added sugar
If you want a flavoured party drink without added sugar, compare the nutrition of the diluted squash rather than relying on the front-of-pack claim alone.
Who is this for?
Hosts catering for different ingredient needs
Check the exact bottle before serving: no-added-sugar squashes can contain sweeteners and sulphites. The Food Standards Agency identifies sulphites as a possible risk for people with a sensitivity.
Hosts considering a juice-led option
If fruit content matters to your choice, compare it alongside sugars and calories per prepared serving. A no-added-sugar claim does not rule out naturally occurring sugars from fruit juice.
What should you check?
Choose the type of drink you want to serve, then compare bottles using their own dilution instructions and the nutrition of the finished drink.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Sugars and calories | Check whether the bottle says no added sugar. Compare sugars and calories for the diluted drink on the same serving basis; fruit juice can contribute naturally occurring sugars. | I want to reduce added sugar and know how much sugar is in the drink guests will actually have. ASDA lists under 0.5g sugars and 4 kcal per diluted 250ml of its Apple & Blackcurrant Squash; Waitrose lists 2.3g sugars and 12 kcal per prepared 250ml of its Tropical High Juice. |
| Ingredients | Read the current ingredient and allergen information for the exact flavour. Check which sweeteners it contains and whether sulphites are declared. | Some guests may need to avoid particular ingredients, so I want to keep the bottle available for them to check. The Food Standards Agency identifies sulphites as a possible risk for people with a sensitivity. |
| Mixing and quantity | Follow each bottle’s stated squash-to-water ratio. Use that ratio when working out how much prepared drink to make; strength names alone do not give a common serving size. | I am making drinks for a group and want each jug mixed consistently. ASDA directs one part Apple & Blackcurrant Squash to nine parts water, while Sainsbury’s specifies one part Quadruple Strength Orange Squash to 19 parts water. |
| Fruit content | Compare the stated fruit content with sugars per prepared serving. Do not use fruit content or a no-added-sugar claim as a substitute for the nutrition table. | I would like a juice-led option, but I still want to see its prepared-drink sugar figure before choosing it for the party. |
Common buying mistakes
-
Reading ‘no added sugar’ as ‘sugar-free’
Juice-based squash can contain naturally occurring sugars even when no sugar has been added.
Check the sugars line for the prepared drink when comparing bottles.
-
Comparing concentrate with a finished drink
Figures for undiluted squash and a diluted serving describe different amounts of drink.
Use each bottle’s mixing directions and compare nutrition on the same prepared-drink basis.
-
Assuming one bottle suits every guest
No-added-sugar examples from ASDA, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose contain sweeteners and sulphites. Ingredient suitability depends on the exact product and the guest’s needs.
Read the physical label before the party, keep it available for guests and offer a clearly identified alternative where needed.
Brand and range references
These examples show why the claim, ingredients and prepared-drink nutrition need checking on the particular bottle, not across a brand as a whole.
Robinsons
A branded squash range with fruit flavours and no-added-sugar options.
- Robinsons says it removed added sugars from its core squash range.
- Check the ingredients and nutrition of the exact flavour and format; the brand statement does not describe every product.
Tesco
An own-label option for hosts considering concentrated no-added-sugar squash.
- Tesco Groceries lists 1.5L Quadruple Strength no-added-sugar squash products.
- Check the chosen flavour’s ingredients, dilution directions and prepared-drink nutrition.
Sainsbury’s
Its Quadruple Strength Orange Squash provides a stated mixing ratio for preparing drinks in jugs.
- Sainsbury’s lists one part squash to 19 parts water, with 4 kcal and under 0.5g sugars per diluted 250ml.
- This orange product contains sweeteners and sulphites; check the label for guests with relevant sensitivities.
Asda
Its Apple & Blackcurrant Squash is a 1.5L no-added-sugar, double-strength option.
- ASDA directs one part squash to nine parts water and lists 4 kcal and under 0.5g sugars per diluted 250ml.
- Check its sweeteners and sulphite declaration against guests’ ingredient needs.
M&S
Its 1.5L Orange Squash is a no-added-sugar, double-strength product made with 20% fruit.
- M&S states the fruit content and no-added-sugar claim for this orange squash.
- Its ingredients include sucralose and sulphites. M&S also says this product is not suitable for babies; follow the bottle’s serving guidance for children.
Waitrose
Tropical High Juice is a no-added-sugar option for hosts considering a juice-led drink.
- Waitrose lists 2.3g sugars and 12 kcal per prepared 250ml serving of this product.
- It contains naturally occurring sugars, sweetener and sulphites; check whether those ingredients suit the guests being served.
Joybuy squash options
These no-added-sugar squash options offer different fruit flavours and bottle formats for party drinks. Compare their current labels before deciding how to mix them or which ingredients suit your guests.
No image available
Robinsons No Added Sugar Summer Fruits Squash 6x1L
The six-bottle format is an option when preparing drinks for a group. Check the current label’s dilution guidance before estimating quantities, and use its prepared-drink nutrition for any sugar comparison. Check ingredients if guests have relevant sensitivities.
No image available
Ribena Blackcurrant No Added Sugar Concentrate 1.5L
The 1.5L bottle is an option for making blackcurrant drinks in batches. Follow its mixing directions and check whether nutrition figures describe concentrate or the diluted drink before comparing them. Check ingredient and age guidance on the bottle before serving.
No image available
Robinsons No Added Sugar Orange Squash 1L
This 1L orange squash offers a no-added-sugar option for the party. Check the bottle’s mixing directions and quantified sugars for the prepared drink before planning servings or comparing it with another squash. Review ingredients and guidance for young children.
No image available
Robinsons No Added Sugar Real Fruit Lemon Squash 1L
This 1L lemon squash offers a citrus option without added sugar. Follow the current label for dilution and prepared-drink nutrition. Check its sulphite declaration carefully before serving anyone with a relevant sensitivity.
No image available
Ribena No Added Sugar Pineapple and Passion Fruit Squash 850ml
The 850ml bottle adds a pineapple and passion fruit option to the party drinks. Use the label’s dilution directions and prepared-drink figures before comparing sugars or estimating servings. Check its sulphite and phenylalanine information for guests with relevant requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘no added sugar’ mean squash is sugar-free?
No. A no-added-sugar squash can still contain naturally occurring sugars from fruit juice. Check the sugars figure for the prepared drink rather than treating the claim as a zero-sugar figure.
How can I compare two squashes for a party?
Compare sugars and calories for the finished drinks on the same basis, such as per prepared 100ml or per prepared glass. Follow each bottle’s recommended dilution; a concentrate figure from one product is not directly comparable with a diluted figure from another.
Can I mix every bottle at the same strength?
No. Follow the directions on each bottle. ASDA specifies one part Apple & Blackcurrant Squash to nine parts water, whereas Sainsbury’s specifies one part Quadruple Strength Orange Squash to 19 parts water.
Should I check ingredients even when squash has no added sugar?
Yes. No-added-sugar examples can contain sweeteners and sulphites. Check the current bottle for each guest’s relevant ingredient needs; the Food Standards Agency identifies sulphites as a possible risk for people with a sensitivity.