Hosts planning self-service drinks
Individual cans can be chilled, set out and replenished without pouring from large bottles. Plan where unopened packs and chilled cans will go during service.
Who is this for?
Hosts catering for different tastes
A mix of cola and non-cola cans, with deliberate regular and zero-sugar choices, avoids assuming that one drink suits every guest.
Planners working with a venue or caterer
Agree what drinks may be brought in, who will store and replenish them, and who will provide ingredient and allergen information during service.
What should you check before buying?
Set the flavour mix first, then calculate cans by the exact pack formats you choose and check how they will be stored and served.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Guest choice | Choose cola and non-cola flavours deliberately. Check the exact cans for regular, zero-sugar and caffeine-free variants rather than relying on a brand name. | I want guests to have a choice of flavour and sugar profile, not just one type of cola. |
| Pack quantities | Count cans, not just packs: 24 × 330 ml gives 24 cans and 7.92 litres; 8 × 330 ml gives eight cans and 2.64 litres. Tesco Groceries lists these formats for different cola and flavour options. | How many cans should I allow for the guest list, buffet duration and other drinks on offer? |
| Labels | Keep the supplied cans available for ingredient checks, including sweeteners, caffeine and any relevant allergen information. GOV.UK guidance says retail and catering food businesses must provide allergen information for prepacked and non-prepacked food and drink. | Guests need to be able to check the drink they are actually offered, particularly if ingredients matter to them. |
| Chilled service | Confirm cold-storage space and who will replenish cans. Tesco Groceries describes its Coca-Cola Zero Sugar cans as best served chilled. | I would rather chill and put out cans in batches than depend on space for the whole order at once. |
What can complicate the order?
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Buying only one large cola pack
It provides individual servings but leaves no non-cola flavour choice. Tesco Groceries lists smaller Sprite Zero Sugar and Fanta can packs that could serve as additions.
Choose a main pack format, then add other flavours according to the guest list rather than treating the main pack as the whole drinks selection.
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Assuming zero sugar also means caffeine-free
Zero-sugar drinks differ in flavour and ingredients. The Tesco Groceries Pepsi Max listing identifies caffeine flavouring, sweeteners and a source of phenylalanine.
If caffeine-free drinks are needed, select a variant explicitly identified as caffeine-free and check the supplied can.
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Discarding packaging before service
Guests and catering staff may need the information on the drink supplied. GOV.UK guidance says retail and catering food businesses must provide allergen information for prepacked and non-prepacked food and drink.
Keep labelled cans or their full packaging available, and agree with the venue or caterer who will handle ingredient and allergen queries.
Brand and retailer references
Coca-Cola
Tesco Groceries lists Coca-Cola Zero Sugar in a 24 × 330 ml pack, a format to consider for a main cola choice.
- The Zero Sugar listing identifies 24 individual no-sugar cans.
- Check the exact variant and supplied label if caffeine or ingredients affect the choice.
Pepsi
Tesco Groceries lists Pepsi Max No Sugar as 24 × 330 ml cans.
- The listed pack contains 24 individual 330 ml servings.
- The Pepsi Max listing identifies caffeine flavouring and a source of phenylalanine; do not assume this variant is caffeine-free.
Sprite
Sprite Zero Sugar is a non-cola option listed by Tesco Groceries in an 8 × 330 ml pack.
- An eight-can pack lets you add lemon-lime flavour without counting it as a 24-can cola pack.
- Its listing identifies sweeteners and a source of phenylalanine; check the supplied label.
Fanta
Tesco Groceries lists Fanta Orange and Fanta Zero Fruit Twist in 8 × 330 ml can packs.
- These provide fruit-flavour choices alongside cola.
- Check the exact variant’s label before making ingredient or nutrition decisions.
Dr Pepper
Tesco Groceries lists Dr Pepper and Dr Pepper Zero in 8 × 330 ml can packs.
- The two listed variants allow a distinct flavour choice where guests want it.
- Check which variant and ingredients you are buying rather than treating the two packs as interchangeable.
Tesco
Tesco Groceries provides the retailer listings used here to distinguish specific can-pack formats and variants.
- Its listed options include 24-can cola packs and 8-can flavour packs.
- Use the exact product listing and supplied can label when finalising pack counts and ingredients.
Joybuy multipack options
These 24-can Joybuy options cover cola, lemon-lime and apple-flavour choices for a mixed wedding-buffet order. Select the combination against guest preferences and available chilling space.
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Pepsi Max Caffeine Free 24 × 330 ml
A caffeine-free cola choice for guests who want that specific variant. The pack contains 24 individual 330 ml cans; check the supplied label for ingredients.
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Coca-Cola Original Taste 24 × 330 ml
Consider this 24-can, 330 ml pack where Original Taste cola is part of the planned guest choice. It does not replace a separate zero-sugar or non-cola selection; check the supplied label before service.
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Coca-Cola Zero Sugar 24 × 330 ml
This 24-can, 330 ml pack provides a zero-sugar cola choice alongside other flavours. Zero sugar does not establish that a drink is caffeine-free; check the supplied can for caffeine and other ingredients.
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7UP Zero 330 ml, 24-pack
Add this 24-can pack when the buffet needs a choice beyond cola. Allow chilling space for its individual 330 ml cans, and check the supplied label for ingredients relevant to guests.
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Tango Apple Sugar-Free 24 × 330 ml
This 24-can pack adds an apple-flavour, sugar-free choice to a cola-heavy selection. If caffeine status matters to guests, check the supplied can rather than assuming it from the sugar-free name.
Wedding buffet questions
How do I work out how many multipacks to buy?
Start with the can count on each exact pack: 24 × 330 ml means 24 cans, while 8 × 330 ml means eight. Set your order after checking guest numbers, buffet duration, other available drinks and which flavours your guests are likely to choose.
Should I include both regular and zero-sugar drinks?
Include both if they reflect the guest choices you want to offer; neither sugar profile replaces a non-cola flavour. Tesco Groceries lists 24-can zero-sugar cola packs and smaller non-cola packs, so check each pack’s count when dividing the order.
Do I need a caffeine-free option?
Add one if it is relevant to your guests or service plan. Choose a product explicitly labelled caffeine-free: zero sugar alone does not mean caffeine-free.
Who handles allergen information at a catered buffet?
Agree responsibility with the venue or caterer before service. GOV.UK guidance says retail and catering food businesses must provide allergen information for prepacked and non-prepacked food and drink; keep the actual cans or their packaging available so their labels can be checked.
Is an online ingredient list enough for buying ahead?
Use the listing to choose a pack, then check the cans supplied before service. The actual label is the relevant place to confirm ingredients, sweeteners, caffeine and other information guests may need.