Hosts offering an alternative to sugary soft drinks
A plain sparkling water gives guests a fizzy choice without the sweetness of a flavoured soft drink. You can add a flavoured option for those who prefer one, while checking its label separately.
Who is this choice for?
Hosts catering for guests who avoid sweeteners
Fruit flavour and sweeteners are separate choices. Look for a flavoured water explicitly labelled as having no sweeteners, or serve a plain sparkling water.
Hosts keeping still water on the table
If guests will be sipping drinks throughout the party, provide a non-carbonated choice too. The NHS notes that carbonated drinks are associated with dental erosion even when they contain no sugar.
What should you check before buying?
Choose the type of drink first, then check the exact pack for ingredients, nutrition information and a serving format that works for the party.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar and sweetness | Distinguish plain water from flavoured drinks. Read the sugar and energy values for the stated serving size on the exact pack; a “no added sugar” label does not give those values by itself. | I want a fizzy choice without defaulting to sugary soft drinks, but some guests may prefer a sweeter flavour. |
| Sweeteners | Read the ingredients for named sweeteners. Sainsbury’s lists sucralose in its no-added-sugar Lemon & Lime water; its listing for Dash Raspberry says the drink has no sweeteners. | For guests avoiding sweeteners, I need more than a sugar-free claim. A plain water or an explicitly sweetener-free flavoured drink fits that preference. |
| Carbonation and acid | Check whether a drink is carbonated and whether a flavoured option lists an acid such as citric acid. The NHS associates carbonated drinks with dental erosion regardless of sugar or sweetener content. | I want still water available as well, rather than asking every guest to choose a fizzy drink. |
| Serving format | Compare bottle or can sizes and the number in each pack. Highland Spring describes larger sharing formats; Sainsbury’s lists Dash Raspberry in 330ml cans. | A shared drinks table calls for bottles guests can pour from. Individual containers make it easier to offer separate flavours. |
Common buying mistakes
Assuming zero sugar means no sweeteners
A flavoured drink can contain sweeteners even when it is labelled sugar-free or no added sugar. Sainsbury’s lists sucralose in its Lemon & Lime water, while M&S lists steviol glycosides in its Lemon and Lime water.
If a guest avoids sweeteners, check the ingredients on the pack or choose a product explicitly described as having none.
Treating sugar-free fizzy water like still water for teeth
The NHS associates carbonated drinks with dental erosion because of their acid content, whether or not they contain sugar or sweeteners.
Put still water beside the sparkling choices so guests have a non-carbonated option.
Buying only flavoured drinks
Guests may differ in whether they want fruit flavour or sweetness. A no-added-sugar flavoured drink may also contain a sweetener or citric acid.
Include a plain sparkling option, then choose a flavoured drink according to the ingredients your guests prefer.
Relying on an old online ingredients list
Ingredients can change. This matters when a guest needs to avoid a particular ingredient, even if the product name and pack look familiar.
Check the label on the bottles or cans you receive before serving guests with ingredient restrictions.
Brand and product-line references
These examples show why the exact drink matters more than the brand name alone: plain mineral water and flavoured sparkling drinks can have different ingredients.
Highland Spring
Highland Spring describes its sparkling water as water with bubbles added and lists formats for individual use and sharing.
- Its stated range includes a 500ml bottle, a 1.5L bottle and a 6 x 1L multipack.
- It remains carbonated; keep still water available for guests who want a non-carbonated drink.
Perrier
Perrier describes its carbonated mineral water as containing no sugar and zero calories.
- The brand shows glass-bottle, can and plastic-bottle formats.
- Check the exact UK pack’s size and label when selecting a product.
San Pellegrino
The Sanpellegrino UK site presents S.Pellegrino sparkling natural mineral water alongside a separate range of flavoured drinks.
- Plain mineral water and flavoured drinks offer different choices for the party table.
- Do not assume a flavoured Sanpellegrino drink has the same ingredients as S.Pellegrino mineral water; read its own label.
Dash Water
Sainsbury’s describes the listed Dash Raspberry sparkling water as containing raspberry extract and no sugar or sweeteners.
- The listed drink offers fruit flavour without a listed sweetener.
- Its ingredients also include citric acid, and it is carbonated.
Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s lists a no-added-sugar Lemon & Lime sparkling flavoured water in a 1L bottle.
- The listing states 3 kcal and under 0.5g sugars per 250ml serving.
- It contains sucralose and citric acid, so it is not a sweetener-free choice.
M&S
M&S describes its Lemon and Lime Sparkling Water as sugar-free and made with a plant-based sweetener.
- Its listed sweetener is steviol glycosides, allowing guests to identify which sweetener the drink contains.
- The ingredients include citric acid; check the current pack for anyone avoiding particular ingredients.
Plain sparkling water options at Joybuy
These Joybuy options are plain sparkling waters in individual-bottle and larger-bottle packs. They cover the plain-water route for a party table, not the separate choice between sweetened and sweetener-free flavoured drinks. Check the received pack’s nutrition and ingredients if a guest needs specific values or must avoid an ingredient.
No image availableSan Pellegrino Sparkling Natural Mineral Water 6 x 0.5L
Six 0.5L bottles provide individual servings of plain sparkling mineral water for the drinks table. Offer still water alongside this carbonated choice.
No image availableBuxton Sparkling 8 x 500ml
Eight 500ml bottles give guests individual sparkling-water servings. Check the pack’s ingredients and nutrition information if you are choosing for a specific dietary requirement.
No image availableSan Pellegrino Sparkling Natural Mineral Water 6 x 1L
Six 1L bottles suit a shared drinks table where guests can pour their own plain sparkling mineral water. They are less individually portioned than smaller bottles.
No image availableHighland Spring Sparkling Spring Water 8 x 500ml
Eight 500ml bottles provide individual servings of Highland Spring sparkling water. If sugar or energy values matter for your choice, check the nutrition panel on the exact pack.
No image availableHighland Spring Sparkling Spring Water 6 x 1L
Six 1L bottles suit a shared drinks table. Joybuy lists natural sparkling mineral water as the ingredient; check the received pack’s nutrition panel if specific sugar or energy values matter.
Questions about party drinks
Does “no added sugar” mean no sweeteners?
No. Sainsbury’s describes its Lemon & Lime sparkling water as no added sugar but lists sucralose as an ingredient. Check both the nutrition information and ingredients on the exact pack if sugar or sweeteners matter to your guests.
How can I offer fruit flavour without sweeteners?
Choose a flavoured product that explicitly states it has no sweeteners, then check its current ingredients. Sainsbury’s listing for Dash Raspberry says it has no sweeteners and lists raspberry extract, natural flavourings and citric acid.
Should I serve still water alongside sugar-free sparkling drinks?
Yes, if you want guests to have a non-carbonated choice. The NHS associates carbonated drinks with dental erosion due to their acid content, regardless of whether they contain sugar or sweeteners.
What should I check when the drinks arrive?
Check each pack’s ingredients, nutrition information and serving size, particularly for guests with ingredient restrictions. Product formulations can change, so use the label on the drinks you will actually serve.