Hosts serving drinks in jugs or glasses
Bottled squash suits a table where water and glasses are available and guests can adjust the strength of their drinks.
Who is each format for?
The choice starts with whether guests will mix their drinks or take an individual serving.
Shoppers wanting individual cans
Look for a ready-to-drink canned soft drink if each guest needs a separate serving. Concentrated squash needs mixing, even when it comes in a small portable format.
Households checking sugar content
Compare the labels of standard and no-added-sugar drinks rather than treating all squash alike. NHS guidance for adults includes no-added-sugar drinks as an alternative to sugary drinks and advises diluting squash well.
What should you check before buying?
Bottled squash concentrate
Choose it when: You can supply water and glasses and want guests to mix drinks to taste.
Bear in mind: It takes preparation and is not an individually sealed, ready-to-drink serving.
Ready-to-drink cans
Choose them when: Separate servings matter more than mixing drinks at the table.
Bear in mind: A canned soft drink is a different format from squash concentrate, so check the actual drink and can size.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Serving format | Check whether the pack is concentrate or ready to drink. For cans, check the number of individual servings and the can size. | I can put water and glasses on the table, or I need a separate drink for each guest without mixing. |
| Amount to serve | For squash, read the pack's dilution instructions before estimating prepared servings. Bottle volume alone is not the amount of finished drink. | There needs to be enough for the guests, without treating a bottle of concentrate as equivalent to the same volume of ready-to-drink cans. |
| Drink label | Check the no-added-sugar description, ingredients and nutrition information on the chosen drink. For squash, follow its dilution directions. | I want to know what I am serving, particularly if sugar, sweeteners or an individual guest's requirements matter. |
Common mix-ups to avoid
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Expecting squash concentrate to be a canned drink
A bottle of squash will not provide individually sealed servings that guests can drink without preparation.
Decide whether you will mix drinks at the table. If not, check ready-to-drink multipacks in the soft-drinks category.
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Planning servings from bottle size alone
Squash is mixed with water, so the bottle volume does not tell you how much prepared drink you can serve.
Use the chosen pack's dilution instructions and your expected number of guests to plan quantities.
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Assuming every squash has the same sugar content
Squash ranges include no-added-sugar choices alongside other formulations. NHS guidance for adults advises diluting squash or cordial well.
Read the nutrition and ingredient labels for the drink you choose, and keep water available as another option.
Brand and retailer references
These references describe squash choices, not a list of canned squash multipacks or products necessarily available from Joybuy.
Robinsons
Tesco, Sainsbury's and Waitrose list Robinsons bottled squash, including no-added-sugar orange varieties.
- The cited listings include 1L and 1.75L bottles, with double-strength options.
- Check the selected bottle's formulation and dilution instructions rather than assuming all Robinsons varieties are the same.
Tesco
Tesco lists own-label squash alongside Robinsons.
- Its cited range includes Tesco Quadruple Strength Orange Squash No Added Sugar in a 1.5L bottle.
- A strength description does not replace the dilution instructions on the chosen pack.
Sainsbury's
Sainsbury's lists Robinsons no-added-sugar orange squash in 1L and double-strength 1.75L bottles.
- The listed bottle sizes give shoppers different quantities of concentrate to consider.
- Use the individual product's preparation directions when planning servings.
M&S
M&S describes fruit-flavoured squash that can be mixed with still or sparkling water.
- Either type of water can be offered when making drinks to order.
- Water and glasses are still needed to serve concentrate.
Waitrose
Waitrose lists own-label and Robinsons bottled squash.
- Its cited range includes a 1.5L Essential no-added-sugar apple and blackcurrant squash and a 1L Robinsons double-strength orange squash.
- Check the formulation and preparation instructions of the specific bottle.
Joybuy options for curry night
These options include bottled squash concentrates for drinks mixed with water and a separate ready-to-drink canned soft drink for individual servings.
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Ribena Blackcurrant No Added Sugar Concentrate 1.5L
A bottled concentrate for serving in glasses when water is available. Dilute before serving, check the pack instructions when planning quantities, and read the label if sweeteners, sulphites or age guidance matter to your guests.
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Ribena Pineapple and Passion Fruit Squash No Added Sugar 850ml
An 850ml squash bottle for drinks mixed with water rather than individual ready-to-drink servings. Check its dilution instructions to plan quantities and its label if sweeteners or sulphites matter to your guests.
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Robinsons Orange Squash No Added Sugar 1L
A 1L bottled squash option when guests can mix orange-flavoured drinks with water. Check the pack's dilution instructions for serving quantities and its sweetener, sulphite and age information before serving.
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Robinsons Summer Fruits Squash No Added Sugar 1L
A 1L summer fruits squash concentrate for mixing drinks in glasses or a jug. Follow the pack's dilution instructions when planning servings, and check its label if sweeteners or sulphites matter to your guests.
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J2O Orange & Passion Fruit 12 × 250ml Cans
A ready-to-drink soft-drink multipack for individual servings, not a squash concentrate. The ingredient information includes sugar and sucralose; check the label if either matters to your guests.
Questions about serving squash and cans
Should I look for squash multipack cans for curry night?
If you want squash, start with a bottle of concentrate and plan to provide water and glasses: the cited Tesco, Sainsbury's and Waitrose listings show bottled squash, while M&S describes squash mixed with water. If individual cans are the requirement, check ready-to-drink soft drinks as a separate option rather than assuming the formats are interchangeable.
How can I serve bottled squash with curry?
Provide water and glasses, then mix the squash according to its pack instructions; guests can adjust their drinks to taste. M&S says squash can be paired with still or sparkling water, and NHS guidance advises diluting squash well.
Does a no-added-sugar label settle the choice for every guest?
No. It identifies one aspect of the drink, so also check its ingredients, preparation instructions and any age guidance on the pack. NHS guidance lists no-added-sugar drinks as an option for adults swapping from sugary drinks; that does not establish suitability for every individual.
Can bottle volume tell me how many drinks I can serve?
Not on its own. Squash is concentrated and mixed with water, whereas a ready-to-drink can is served without dilution. Follow the squash pack's instructions and consider the serving size you intend to pour when planning for guests.