Couples planning a self-serve drinks table
Individual cans give guests a defined portion and avoid leaving several large bottles open at once. Larger bottles can be easier to work through where drinks are poured regularly.
Who is this for?
The right mix of drinks depends on how guests will serve themselves and whether the buffet also offers spirits.
Hosts serving spirits alongside food
Classic tonic provides a familiar option for gin or vodka, but its bitter taste will not appeal to everyone. Fever-Tree describes its Indian tonic as a mixer for gin, vodka and fortified wines; plan a non-tonic choice as well.
Hosts including guests who do not drink alcohol
Soda water and sparkling soft drinks give guests choices beyond tonic. Fentimans’ range, for example, includes soda water, ginger beer and lemonade as well as tonics.
What should you check?
Settle the core drinks choices before deciding how many formats to handle at the buffet.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Drinks choice | Choose a classic tonic for bitter mixed drinks. Add soda water or a sparkling soft drink for a non-tonic choice; keep a strongly flavoured tonic as an additional option. | I want guests who dislike tonic to have a sparkling drink they can choose too. |
| Serving format | Check the volume of each can or bottle and how drinks will be poured. Tesco lists Fever-Tree tonic in 150 ml cans, while Sainsbury’s lists Schweppes tonic in a 1 litre bottle. | For self-service, I would rather put out individual portions than manage several open bottles. If someone is pouring drinks regularly, a larger bottle could work. |
| Flavour | Check whether guests will drink the product on its own or mix it with spirits. A ginger or fruit-flavoured drink is a distinct alternative, not a neutral substitute for soda water. | I would like a flavoured sparkling choice, but not at the expense of a straightforward tonic and non-tonic option. |
| Ingredients | Read the exact pack label for ingredients, sweeteners and nutrition. Sainsbury’s notes that product ingredients can change; a light tonic still tastes like tonic. | Some guests may ask about ingredients or prefer a lighter tonic, so I want to check the packs that will actually be served. |
| Alcohol service | Ask the venue how alcoholic drinks will be supplied. GOV.UK says selling or supplying alcohol in England and Wales requires a licence or other authorisation; check the applicable local arrangements for the event. | If spirits are part of the buffet, I need to confirm the venue’s arrangements before planning a self-serve alcoholic drinks station. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Putting out only tonic water
Tonic’s bitter, quinine-led taste leaves little choice for guests who want a different sparkling drink.
Pair a core tonic with soda water or a sparkling soft drink. Treat flavoured tonic as an additional flavour, rather than the only alternative.
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Choosing bottle sizes without planning the service
Large bottles require someone to pour drinks and manage bottles once opened; individual cans make portions simpler at a self-serve table.
Estimate the serves you expect, then choose a format that fits how drinks will be chilled, put out and replenished.
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Using light tonic as the only non-standard option
A lighter tonic is still tonic. It does not replace soda water or a flavoured sparkling soft drink for guests who want a different taste.
Offer the lighter tonic as a tonic choice and provide a separate non-tonic drink.
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Assuming the venue’s alcohol arrangements cover every plan
Buying non-alcoholic mixers does not establish whether a proposed spirits station can operate under the venue’s arrangements.
Check with the venue before planning alcohol service. GOV.UK sets out the authorisation requirement for selling or supplying alcohol in England and Wales; ask the relevant local licensing authority about arrangements that are unclear.
Brands and ranges to consider
These ranges illustrate different tonic flavours and pack formats; check the exact product before making an event order.
Fever-Tree
Indian tonic is listed in 150 ml can multipacks, including a Refreshingly Light version.
- Fever-Tree describes its Premium Indian Tonic Water as a mixer for gin, vodka and fortified wines.
- Both the regular and lighter Indian tonics remain tonic choices; add a non-tonic drink if guests need one.
Schweppes
Sainsbury’s lists Schweppes Tonic Water in a 1 litre bottle.
- Sainsbury’s describes this tonic as bitter-sweet, dry and sharp, with quinine and lemon extract.
- A 1 litre bottle is less individually portioned than small cans; consider who will pour and replenish drinks.
Fentimans
Its range includes botanical and flavoured tonics alongside other sparkling drinks.
- Fentimans describes its Premium Indian Tonic Water as containing Sicilian lemon oil and lemongrass extract.
- A distinctive flavoured tonic is an additional choice, not a neutral replacement for soda water.
Britvic
Britvic announced classic and zero-sugar Indian tonic in 330 ml cans in 2023.
- The announced can format offers a different individual portion size from 150 ml tonic cans.
- Check current pack details and availability before relying on the announced range for an event.
Tesco
Tesco lists own-label tonic and soda water in different multipack formats.
- Its listings include Indian tonic in 4 × 1 litre bottles and soda water in 6 × 250 ml cans.
- Check the exact pack and event-date availability when choosing between formats.
Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s lists a 1 litre Schweppes tonic and an own-label Indian tonic.
- The listed 1 litre tonic gives buyers a larger-bottle format to consider for poured service.
- Sainsbury’s advises reading the current label because ingredients can change.
Joybuy sparkling drink options
These options include individually portioned tonics and two flavoured non-tonic drinks for the buffet. The fruit soda is a soft-drink choice; do not assume it is intended for mixing with spirits.
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Fever-Tree Indian Tonic Water 8 × 150 ml
The 150 ml cans provide individual tonic portions for a self-serve table. This is a tonic choice, so include a separate non-tonic sparkling drink if guests need one.
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Schweppes Slimline Tonic Water 12 × 150 ml
This slimline tonic comes in individual 150 ml cans. Check the current label for ingredients and nutrition if guests have particular requirements, and offer a non-tonic alternative separately.
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Canada Dry Ginger Ale Mini 12 × 150 ml
The small cans add a ginger-flavoured, non-tonic sparkling choice. Ginger ale has a distinct flavour rather than the neutral profile of soda water; check the current pack for nutrition and ingredients.
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Living Things Rhubarb & Apple Soda 4 × 330 ml
These 330 ml cans provide a fruit-flavoured sparkling soft drink rather than a classic tonic. If you need a drink specifically for mixing with spirits, check its intended uses before ordering.
Frequently asked questions
Should tonic be the only sparkling mixer at a wedding buffet?
Offer a non-tonic choice as well if the buffet is meant to serve varied tastes. Tonic is bitter, whereas soda water offers a different option and sparkling soft drinks add distinct flavours.
When are 150 ml tonic cans useful?
They are useful when guests will take individual portions at a self-serve table. Fever-Tree’s suggested drink uses 150 ml of mixer with 50 ml of spirit, but that brand serving suggestion is not a required alcohol measure.
Does a lighter tonic replace soda water?
No. A lighter tonic remains a tonic-flavoured choice, while soda water provides a non-tonic option. Check the exact pack’s ingredients and nutrition when selecting a lighter product.
What should I check for guests with ingredient concerns?
Read the label on the exact product being served. Fentimans labels its Premium Indian Tonic Water vegan and gluten free, but that description should not be applied to its other drinks; Sainsbury’s also warns that product ingredients can change.
What if the wedding buffet also serves alcohol?
Confirm the venue’s alcohol-service arrangements before planning the drinks station. GOV.UK states that selling or supplying alcohol in England and Wales requires a licence or other authorisation; for a venue elsewhere, check the applicable local licensing guidance rather than assuming the same arrangements apply.