Hosts serving adults who check sugar labels
Choose between plain sparkling water and flavoured drinks by reading the exact product label. A zero-calorie claim, a no-added-sugar claim and the absence of sweeteners describe different things.
Who is choosing the drinks?
Hosts with guests of different ages
An adult sparkling-water station does not cover drinks for babies and young children. The NHS says fizzy drinks should not be given to them; arrange suitable still drinks separately.
Hosts choosing bottles for a buffet or meal
Consider how guests will serve themselves. UK grocery listings from Sainsbury’s and Tesco include larger multipacks as well as glass bottles for the table.
What should you check before buying?
Decide who each drink is for, then compare the label and bottle format against the way you plan to serve it.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Plain or flavoured | Check whether the drink is unflavoured water or a flavoured sparkling drink. For a flavoured option, check the claims on that specific variant. | I want a straightforward sparkling option for adults, with a separate flavour choice if guests would use it. |
| Sugar and sweeteners | Read the ingredients and nutrition information, including sugars per 100 ml. Sainsbury’s describes its no-added-sugar apple and elderflower drink as containing sweeteners; Sanpellegrino UK describes Essenza as having zero calories and zero sweeteners. | If I am choosing a flavoured drink, I need to know whether guests also want to avoid sweeteners or fruit juice, not just added sugar. |
| Children’s drinks | Set aside still water and age-appropriate milk. The NHS says fizzy drinks are acidic and should not be given to babies and young children, regardless of a drink’s sugar claim. | With babies or young children attending, I need a drinks choice that does not rely on the sparkling-water station. |
| Serving format | Compare bottle size, pack quantity and where drinks will be served. Sainsbury’s lists a 4 × 2L sparkling-water pack, while Tesco lists a 750ml S.Pellegrino glass bottle. | For self-service, I may want larger bottles; for a seated meal, I may prefer bottles placed on the table. |
Party-drink mistakes to avoid
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Treating all sugar-related labels as interchangeable
“No added sugar” does not tell you whether a drink contains sweeteners or naturally occurring sugars from fruit juice. Sainsbury’s lists sweeteners in its no-added-sugar flavoured water, while M&S describes a no-added-sugar apple and elderflower sparkling drink as containing over 60% juice.
Decide whether you want plain water, a drink without sweeteners or a particular sugar value, then check the ingredients and nutrition information for the exact variant.
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Providing only sparkling drinks for a mixed-age party
The NHS says fizzy drinks should not be given to babies and young children because they are acidic. A sugar-free label does not change that guidance.
Keep still water and age-appropriate milk available separately, and make it clear which drinks are intended for adults and older guests.
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Choosing a bottle format without planning service
A 750ml table bottle and a multi-litre pack serve different arrangements. Tesco and Sainsbury’s list both smaller glass-bottle and larger multipack formats.
Work out where guests will get drinks and how much you need before choosing the pack format. Smaller bottles can go on tables while larger ones serve a self-service station.
Brands and ranges to compare
Compare the named product or range rather than assuming every sparkling drink from a brand has the same ingredients.
Highland Spring
An unflavoured sparkling-water range to consider for adult guests.
- Highland Spring describes its sparkling water as having nothing added but bubbles.
- It is still a fizzy drink; the NHS says fizzy drinks should not be given to babies and young children.
S.Pellegrino
Plain mineral water for the table and an Essenza flavoured-water range are distinct choices.
- Sanpellegrino UK describes Essenza as having zero calories and zero sweeteners; it also lists a 1-litre glass bottle in its plain sparkling-water range.
- Those Essenza claims do not describe every Sanpellegrino drink. Check the label when choosing a fruit-based sparkling drink.
Perrier
A plain carbonated mineral-water option for adults and older guests.
- Perrier’s international site describes its carbonated mineral water as sugar-free and calorie-free.
- Check the exact UK variant, flavour and pack label rather than applying that description to every Perrier drink.
Sainsbury’s
Its UK listings include plain sparkling-water multipacks and flavoured alternatives.
- The sparkling-water category lists a 4 × 2L plain spring-water pack.
- Its named no-added-sugar apple and elderflower and blackcurrant and cherry flavoured drinks contain sweeteners.
M&S
Flavoured sparkling drinks with product-specific sugar and ingredient descriptions.
- M&S describes its Lemon and Lime Sparkling Water as sugar-free and containing a plant-based sweetener.
- Its no-added-sugar Juicy Apple and Elderflower Sparkling Water contains over 60% juice, so check its nutrition information if sugars matter to your choice.
Tesco
Its UK grocery categories list plain sparkling water in several pack formats alongside flavoured options.
- Tesco lists formats including 750ml S.Pellegrino glass bottles and Highland Spring 6 × 1L packs.
- Sugar-free and no-added-sugar flavoured listings need checking individually for ingredients and nutrition values.
Joybuy sparkling-water options
These options include plain sparkling water in different bottle sizes and a white-peach flavoured drink with sweeteners. They are choices for adults and older guests, alongside a separate still-drinks plan for young children.
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San Pellegrino Sparkling Natural Mineral Water 6 × 1L
A plain sparkling option in six 1-litre bottles for an adult drinks station. The listed ingredients are natural mineral water and carbon dioxide; the nutrition information reports 0 kcal and 0 g sugars per 100 ml.
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Highland Spring Sparkling Spring Water 6 × 1L
Six 1-litre bottles suit a shared drinks station for adults and older guests. Highland Spring describes its sparkling-water range as having nothing added but bubbles; check the pack’s nutrition label if you need values for this specific product.
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San Pellegrino Sparkling Natural Mineral Water 6 × 500ml
The six 500ml bottles offer smaller individual servings than the 1-litre pack. The listed ingredients are natural mineral water and carbon dioxide, with 0 kcal and 0 g sugars per 100 ml reported in the nutrition information; the pack totals 3 litres.
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Buxton Sparkling 8 × 500ml
Eight 500ml bottles provide individual servings for adult and older guests, totalling 4 litres. The product details identify carbonated natural mineral water and report 0 kcal and 0 g sugars per 100 ml.
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Genki Forest White Peach Sparkling Water 24 × 330ml
This white-peach flavoured option comes in 24 individual 330ml bottles for adults and older guests who accept sweeteners. Its listed sweeteners include erythritol and steviol glycosides, so it does not suit a no-sweetener preference.
Common questions
Can babies and young children have sparkling water at a christening?
No. The NHS says fizzy drinks are acidic and should not be given to babies and young children. Arrange still water and age-appropriate milk separately rather than relying on drinks intended for adults.
Does “no added sugar” mean a drink has no sweeteners?
No. Sainsbury’s describes its no-added-sugar flavoured sparkling waters as containing sweeteners, and M&S says its sugar-free Lemon and Lime Sparkling Water contains a plant-based sweetener. Check the ingredients of the exact drink.
What should I choose for guests avoiding sugar and calories?
Plain unflavoured sparkling water is a straightforward option for adults and older guests, provided its own label meets their requirements. If they would prefer flavour, check that variant’s nutrition information and ingredients: Sanpellegrino UK describes its Essenza range as having zero calories and zero sweeteners, but that description does not cover all of its drinks.
Should I offer still water as well?
Yes. It gives guests a non-fizzy choice and provides a separate option for babies and young children, for whom the NHS says fizzy drinks should not be given.
Is a no-added-sugar fruit drink the same as plain sparkling water?
No. A fruit-based drink can contain juice or naturally occurring sugars without having added sugar. M&S describes its no-added-sugar Juicy Apple and Elderflower Sparkling Water as containing over 60% juice; check the nutrition panel if the sugar value matters to your choice.