Hosts serving a larger party
Plain sparkling water in larger bottles or multipacks gives guests a shared drink that can also be used as a mixer. Compare the total litres in each pack with how many people you expect to serve.
Who is each format for?
Hosts planning a sit-down supper
A shareable glass bottle fits table service when presentation matters more than having individual bottles. S.Pellegrino describes its 750ml glass bottle as a format for sharing with a meal.
Hosts offering a flavoured choice
Flavoured sparkling water gives guests an alternative to plain water. Check the ingredient list rather than relying on “no added sugar”: the Sainsbury’s lemon-and-lime and M&S blood-orange drinks listed here contain sweeteners and citric acid.
What should you check before buying?
Decide how guests will serve themselves, then compare pack volume, bottle format and ingredients.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Total volume | Multiply bottle size by the number of bottles. Available examples include 6x1L, 4x2L and 6x2L packs; allow for sparkling water used as a mixer as well as served on its own. | I’m serving several guests and want enough for the drinks station without judging the pack by bottle count alone. |
| Serving format | Choose between shared 1L–2L bottles and individual 500ml bottles. Consider how much fridge space each format needs and whether guests will pour their own drinks. | Sealed bottles would be easier to hand out, or I’d rather let guests pour from larger bottles. |
| Table presentation | Check the bottle material and size if it will sit on the table. S.Pellegrino describes its 750ml glass bottle as a sharing format for meals; glass needs careful handling at a busy gathering. | For a seated supper, I want a bottle guests can share at the table rather than a stock-up pack beside the drinks station. |
| Plain or flavoured | Read the product description and ingredient list. The reviewed Sainsbury’s lemon-and-lime drink is labelled no added sugar but contains citric acid and sucralose; M&S lists citric acid and steviol glycosides in its blood-orange drink. | Some guests may prefer a fruit flavour, while others want plain sparkling water or need to check a particular ingredient. |
| Storage and serving | Check the pack’s chilling, opening and after-opening instructions. Keep shared bottles closed between pours where the product directions call for it. | I need a serving plan that works with my fridge space and keeps opened bottles easy to identify. |
Common buying mistakes
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Judging a multipack by its bottle count
Six 1L bottles contain a different total volume from six 2L bottles, even though both packs have six bottles.
Work out the total litres and consider whether guests will drink sparkling water on its own, use it as a mixer, or both.
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Treating “no added sugar” as another name for plain water
The reviewed Sainsbury’s lemon-and-lime and M&S blood-orange sparkling drinks list acids and sweeteners among their ingredients.
Offer a plain option alongside flavoured drinks and check the ingredient list when a particular ingredient matters to your guests.
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Buying every bottle in the same format
Large bottles call for shared pouring, while 500ml bottles can be handed out individually. A 750ml glass bottle serves a different table-setting purpose.
If the party has both a drinks station and a seated meal, choose quantities for each serving setting rather than relying on one format for both.
Brand and retailer ranges to consider
These ranges illustrate different bottle formats and ingredients; a brand’s inclusion here does not indicate which products a particular shop carries.
S.Pellegrino
Its sparkling natural mineral water includes a 750ml glass bottle that S.Pellegrino describes as suitable for sharing at a meal.
- The 750ml glass format provides a table bottle for a seated supper.
- If you need individual servings or a larger shared volume, check the pack format rather than assuming the glass bottle covers both uses.
Perrier
Perrier describes its plain carbonated mineral water as containing no sugar and offers glass-bottle, can and plastic-bottle formats in its wider range.
- Different container formats give shoppers a choice between table service and individual servings where stocked.
- Check the format and pack size offered by the retailer you intend to use.
Highland Spring
Highland Spring lists sparkling spring water in 500ml and 1.5L bottles and a 6x1L multipack.
- The stated sizes cover individual bottles and shared-pouring formats.
- Check the exact multipack quantity: bottle size alone will not tell you the total party volume.
Tesco
Tesco lists own-brand plain sparkling water in larger bottles and multipacks, alongside flavoured choices.
- Listed plain formats include 2L bottles and 6x2L multipacks for shared serving.
- Check flavoured drinks separately: their ingredients need not match those of plain mineral water.
Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s lists own-brand plain sparkling spring water in large formats as well as flavoured sparkling drinks.
- The listed 4x2L plain-water pack offers a shared-pouring format.
- Its lemon-and-lime no-added-sugar drink contains citric acid and sucralose; read the label if those ingredients matter.
M&S
The M&S sparkling-water range includes larger plain-water bottles, a 750ml Collection bottle and fruit-flavoured drinks.
- The listed formats allow shoppers to consider shared bottles and table bottles within the range.
- M&S lists citric acid and steviol glycosides in its blood-orange sparkling drink; check the label for the particular flavour you choose.
Sparkling water options on Joybuy
These plain sparkling-water multipacks cover two party-serving approaches: 1L bottles for shared pouring and 500ml bottles for individual servings.
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S.Pellegrino Sparkling Natural Mineral Water 6x1L
Six 1L bottles provide 6L of plain sparkling water for shared pouring or mixing drinks. Keep opened bottles closed between pours, following the pack directions.
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S.Pellegrino Sparkling Natural Mineral Water 6x0.5L
Six 500ml bottles can be handed out as individual servings of plain sparkling water. The pack contains 3L in total, so check how many packs your guest list calls for.
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Highland Spring Sparkling Spring Water 6x1L
This 6L pack has six separate 1L bottles for a shared drinks station. Follow the product’s refrigeration and after-opening directions for any bottles left open.
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Highland Spring Sparkling Spring Water 8x500ml
Eight 500ml bottles provide 4L in individual-sized servings. Chill before serving if guests prefer their sparkling water cold, and follow the pack directions after opening.
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Buxton Sparkling Water 8x500ml
Eight 500ml bottles offer individual servings of plain carbonated natural mineral water. The pack contains 4L in total; compare that with the number of guests you expect to serve.
Frequently asked questions
How much sparkling water should I buy for a New Year’s Eve party?
Start with the number of guests likely to drink it and whether it will also be used as a mixer, then compare total litres rather than bottle count. A 500ml bottle works as an individual serving format; larger bottles and multipacks suit a self-serve station.
Is no-added-sugar flavoured sparkling water the same as plain sparkling water?
No. Sainsbury’s lists citric acid and sucralose in its no-added-sugar lemon-and-lime drink, while M&S lists citric acid and steviol glycosides in its blood-orange sparkling drink. Check the label if guests prefer plain water or need to avoid a particular ingredient.
How should I serve and store sparkling water during the party?
Chill bottles before serving if you want to offer them cold, and follow each pack’s instructions for opening and storing leftovers. Keep shared bottles closed between pours; after-opening directions can differ between products.