Hosts with children attending
Plain water gives children a drink alongside any options offered to adults. NHS guidance says children should avoid sugary fizzy drinks, squash and juice drinks.
Who is choosing the drinks?
Hosts offering lower-sugar choices
Still water, plain sparkling water and sugar-free flavoured water offer different tastes and ingredient lists. Check the exact flavoured product rather than treating its sugar-free label as a description of everything it contains.
Hosts planning self-service or cup service
Small bottles give guests individual portions; larger bottles need cups and a place to keep them after opening. Evian describes its 330ml bottle as an event format, while Tesco lists Ashbeck still water in a 5L bottle.
What should you check?
Choose the drinks first, then pick a bottle format that works with the way guests will serve themselves.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Plain still water | Check that the bottle is still water and choose a size suited to individual or cup service. If children are attending, NHS advice says they should avoid sugary fizzy drinks, squash and juice drinks. | I want a straightforward main drink that guests can take without choosing a flavour or carbonation. |
| A fizzy option | Check that the product is plain sparkling water, rather than assuming every carbonated drink has the same ingredients. Check the bottle size if guests will serve themselves. | Some guests may prefer bubbles, but I still want water on the drinks table. |
| Flavoured water | Read sugars per 100ml and per serving, alongside the ingredient list for the exact flavour. Volvic UK declares 0g sugars per 250ml serving for Touch of Fruit Sugar Free Summer Fruits; its ingredient list also identifies sweeteners, citric acid and a preservative. | I would like to offer flavour, provided the particular drink’s ingredients suit the guests. |
| Serving format | Compare the number and size of individual bottles with the cups needed for a larger bottle. For bulk water, follow that product’s directions for storage after opening. | Will guests pick up their own bottles, or can I provide cups and manage an opened larger bottle? |
Party-drink mistakes to avoid
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Treating sugar-free flavoured water as plain water
A sugar-free drink can still contain other ingredients. Volvic UK declares 0g sugars per 250ml serving for Touch of Fruit Sugar Free Summer Fruits, whose ingredient list includes sweeteners, citric acid and potassium benzoate.
Read both the nutrition panel and ingredients on the exact flavour you plan to serve.
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Making sugary drinks the default for children
NHS guidance says children should avoid sugary fizzy drinks, squash and juice drinks.
Put plain water within easy reach, with other water options available for guests who prefer fizz or flavour.
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Buying a large bottle without planning how to serve it
A large bottle is less convenient for self-service if cups are not available, and an opened bottle needs to be kept according to its label.
Choose individual bottles for grab-and-go service, or arrange cups and suitable storage before choosing a larger format.
Brand references
Highland Spring
A Scottish spring-water brand with still and sparkling options.
- Highland Spring publishes a sodium figure of 0.0056g per litre for its water.
- Check the label of any flavoured variant separately; the plain-water information does not describe every flavour.
Evian
A natural mineral-water brand whose 330ml bottle is described by Evian as suitable for events and parties.
- The 330ml bottle provides an individual serving format.
- Choose the number of bottles according to the guests and other drinks being served; the format alone does not settle quantity.
Volvic
Offers plain mineral water and flavoured products, including Touch of Fruit Sugar Free Summer Fruits.
- Volvic UK declares 0g sugars per 250ml serving for the Summer Fruits Sugar Free product.
- That flavour also lists sweeteners, citric acid and potassium benzoate; check each variant’s own label.
Buxton
A natural mineral-water brand with still and sparkling formats.
- Buxton states that its plain still and sparkling mineral waters have no calories.
- Choose still or sparkling according to guests’ preferences, and check the exact bottle when comparing variants.
Tesco Ashbeck
Tesco lists Ashbeck still water in a 5L format for hosts considering cup service.
- The large bottle provides an alternative to handing out individual portions.
- Arrange cups and follow the product’s storage directions after opening.
Bottled-water options on Joybuy
These options include individual bottles of still, sparkling and sugar-free flavoured water for a birthday-party drinks table. Check the pack quantity against your guest list.
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San Pellegrino Sparkling Natural Mineral Water, 6 × 0.5L
A sparkling-water option in six individual 0.5L bottles for guests who want fizz. Choose a still option as well if not everyone wants carbonation.
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Buxton Sparkling, 8 × 500ml
Eight individual 500ml bottles offer a sparkling option for self-service. Account for guests who would rather have still water.
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Volvic Touch of Strawberry Sugar Free, 6 × 500ml
A strawberry-flavoured option in six individual bottles. If guests avoid particular sweeteners or other ingredients, check this flavour’s label rather than relying on the sugar-free wording alone.
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FIJI Water Natural Artesian Still Water, 24 × 330ml
Still water in 24 individual 330ml bottles suits a table where guests pick up their own drinks. Compare the pack quantity with your guest list and any other drinks you will provide.
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Highland Spring Sparkling Spring Water, 8 × 500ml
Eight individual 500ml bottles provide a sparkling spring-water option. Check the current bottle label if you need a declared sugars value, and offer still water for guests who do not want fizz.
Frequently asked questions
What should I put out for children at a birthday party?
Make plain water readily available. NHS guidance says children should avoid sugary fizzy drinks, squash and juice drinks; guests who want another type of water can choose from the options you provide.
Is sugar-free flavoured water the same as plain water?
No: sugar-free describes sugars, not the full ingredient list. Volvic UK declares 0g sugars per 250ml serving for Touch of Fruit Sugar Free Summer Fruits, which also contains sweeteners, citric acid and potassium benzoate. Check the exact flavour before serving it to guests with ingredient preferences.
Can sparkling water be the fizzy option?
Yes, if you choose plain sparkling water for guests who like carbonation. Check the exact label rather than assuming every fizzy bottled drink is plain water.
When does a large bottle make sense?
Choose a larger bottle when cup service is practical and you can store it as its label directs after opening. For unattended self-service, individual bottles avoid the need to set out cups.
Can any bottled water be sold as natural mineral water in England?
No. The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs says that natural mineral water needs official recognition before it can be marketed and sold as such in England. Check the product description on the bottle rather than treating all bottled-water labels as interchangeable.