Hosts choosing a no-added-sugar drink
Squash can be mixed by the glass or for a shared table. The NHS suggests sugar-free, diet or no-added-sugar drinks in place of sugary squash; check the prepared-drink nutrition panel when comparing bottles.
Who is choosing squash for the meal?
Families serving different tastes
A jug and individual glasses need not be mixed to the same strength. Start with the directions on the particular bottle, especially when preparing drinks for children.
Shoppers checking ingredients
Read the current bottle before serving anyone with an allergy, intolerance or ingredient restriction. The listed ingredients differ between squash varieties, including products containing sulphites or barley.
What should you check before buying?
Choose a flavour for the table, then compare the prepared drink, mixing directions and ingredients on the exact bottle.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar information | Check the no-added-sugar claim and sugars per prepared serving. Use the stated serving size and dilution when comparing products. | I want a flavoured drink in place of sugary squash, without assuming that “no added sugar” means the finished drink contains no sugar. |
| Flavour | Check the named flavour and, if it matters to you, the fruit ingredients on that variant’s label. | For a mixed table, I might choose orange or summer fruits; berry, tropical or lemon flavours give guests other options. |
| Dilution | Read the bottle’s ratio and serving guidance before making a jug. Tesco Groceries lists 1 part Robinsons Orange concentrate to 4 parts water; Waitrose & Partners suggests 1 part Essential Summer Fruits squash to 9 parts water. | I need enough prepared drink for the group, with a strength that can be adjusted by the glass. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the current ingredients list for sweeteners and allergens. GOV.UK states that specified allergens in prepacked food and drink must be clearly labelled within that list. | If someone at the table avoids a particular ingredient, I need to check the exact bottle rather than assume all no-added-sugar varieties are alike. |
What is easy to overlook?
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Reading “no added sugar” as “no sugar”
Fruit ingredients can contribute sugars to a drink with no added sugar. Tesco Groceries lists 0g sugars per stated 250ml diluted serving for Robinsons Orange, compared with 0.8g per stated 250ml serving for Vimto No Added Sugar.
Compare the sugars figure for the prepared serving on each product’s current label, not the front-of-pack wording alone.
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Using one mixing ratio for every bottle
Directions differ between concentrates, changing how much ready-to-drink squash a bottle makes.
Follow the ratio on the bottle as a starting point. Try one glass before mixing a whole jug, and follow any additional preparation directions for children.
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Assuming the ingredients are the same
Examples listed by Tesco Groceries and Marks & Spencer include products with sulphites, while Tesco Groceries lists barley in Vimto No Added Sugar.
Check the bottle in hand for allergens, sweeteners and other restricted ingredients before serving.
Which brands and ranges are relevant?
Robinsons
Orange and summer-fruit no-added-sugar varieties provide familiar flavour choices for a shared jug.
- Tesco Groceries lists 0g sugars per 250ml diluted serving for Robinsons Orange.
- That Orange product lists sweeteners and sulphites; check the exact bottle for anyone with an ingredient restriction.
Tesco
Tesco Groceries lists own-label no-added-sugar quadruple-strength squash in several fruit flavours.
- Listed choices include Orange, Lemon and Apple & Blackcurrant.
- Check the individual bottle’s ingredients and mixing directions when choosing a variant.
Sainsbury's
Sainsbury's lists quadruple-strength squash in flavours including Orange, Summer Fruits and Apple & Blackcurrant.
- The range offers several flavour choices for a grocery order.
- Check that the particular variant is labelled no added sugar; a range listing does not establish the claim for every bottle.
M&S
M&S lists no-added-sugar Orange Squash and Pink Grapefruit High Juice for shoppers comparing fruit ingredients and flavours.
- Marks & Spencer states 20% real fruit for its Orange Squash and 50% fruit juice for its Pink Grapefruit High Juice.
- Its Orange Squash lists sucralose and sulphites; check the current label where ingredients matter.
Waitrose
Waitrose lists own-label no-added-sugar summer-fruit squash, including Essential Summer Fruits.
- Waitrose & Partners suggests mixing Essential Summer Fruits at 1 part squash to 9 parts water and states 60 servings.
- Use the current bottle’s ingredients and directions, particularly when checking allergens or planning servings.
Joybuy squash options
These no-added-sugar squash options cover berry, orange, summer-fruit, tropical and lemon flavours for drinks alongside a Chinese takeaway. Compare each bottle’s directions and ingredients before serving.
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Ribena No Added Sugar Blackcurrant Concentrate 1.5L
A blackcurrant choice for guests who prefer a berry flavour. Check the bottle’s dilution and ingredient directions; its product guidance says it is not recommended for children under 3.
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Robinsons No Added Sugar Orange Squash 1L
An orange option for a shared meal. Tesco Groceries lists 1 part concentrate to 4 parts water and 0g sugars per 250ml diluted serving for Robinsons Orange 1L; check the current bottle’s directions and its sweetener and sulphite declarations.
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Robinsons No Added Sugar Summer Fruits Squash 1L
A summer-fruit alternative to orange for the takeaway table. Follow this bottle’s own mixing directions and check its ingredients if sweeteners or sulphites matter to anyone being served.
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Ribena No Added Sugar Pineapple and Passion Fruit Squash 850ml
A tropical-flavour choice rather than orange or berries. Check the bottle’s dilution guidance and ingredients, particularly for sulphites or a source of phenylalanine.
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Robinsons No Added Sugar Real Fruit Lemon Juice Squash 1L
A lemon option for diners who prefer citrus. Read the current bottle for its mixing directions and exact sweetener ingredients before choosing it for anyone with an ingredient restriction.
Common questions
Does “no added sugar” mean squash contains no sugar?
No. A no-added-sugar drink can still contain sugars from fruit ingredients. Check sugars per prepared serving on the exact bottle: Tesco Groceries lists 0g per 250ml diluted serving for Robinsons Orange and 0.8g per 250ml serving for Vimto No Added Sugar.
How should I dilute squash for a takeaway meal?
Start with the directions on the particular bottle, then try a glass before mixing a jug. Tesco Groceries specifies 1 part Robinsons Orange concentrate to 4 parts water, whereas Waitrose & Partners suggests 1 part Essential Summer Fruits squash to 9 parts water.
Can I assume every no-added-sugar squash has the same allergens?
No. Check the current bottle’s ingredients before serving: examples listed by Tesco Groceries and Marks & Spencer include sulphites, and Tesco Groceries lists barley in Vimto No Added Sugar. GOV.UK states that specified allergens in prepacked food and drink must be clearly labelled within the ingredients list.