Hosts offering zero-sugar drinks
A mixed selection can give guests a choice between a zero-sugar energy drink and a zero-sugar soft drink. The words ‘zero sugar’ alone do not tell you whether a drink contains caffeine.
Who is this choice for?
The useful starting point is whether each guest wants caffeine at all, before choosing a zero-sugar drink or a can size.
Adults comparing caffeine servings
Can size matters when choosing one drink for yourself: Red Bull states 80mg caffeine in a 250ml Sugarfree can, while Monster states 150mg in a 500ml Ultra can and 160mg in a 500ml Absolutely Zero can. Those are amounts per whole can, not interchangeable portions.
Hosts with different caffeine needs to consider
If guests include someone who is pregnant, sensitive to caffeine or younger, avoid making an energy drink the default option. Offer a drink confirmed as caffeine-free on its label for anyone avoiding caffeine.
What should you check before buying?
Decide whether you need an energy drink or a soft drink, then compare the exact cans by caffeine amount and serving size. For a group, check the pack as well as the individual drink.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Type of drink | Check whether the exact variant is an energy drink or a zero-sugar soft drink. If caffeine matters, read its caffeine statement rather than relying on ‘diet’ or ‘zero sugar’. | I want a zero-sugar option, but not everyone at brunch wants an energy drink. |
| Caffeine per can | Compare complete cans: Red Bull states 80mg in Sugarfree 250ml; Monster states 150mg in Ultra 500ml and 160mg in Absolutely Zero 500ml. Include caffeine from other drinks consumed that day. | A larger can could be more caffeine than I intend to serve, even when both drinks are zero sugar. |
| Can size and flavour | Compare 250ml and 500ml servings, then check the named flavour and variant. Monster describes Ultra as citrus-flavoured; that does not describe every Monster zero-sugar drink. | Some guests may prefer a smaller can, while others want a larger drink or a particular flavour. |
| Guest suitability | Read caffeine warnings and check for a caffeine-free option when needed. NHS guidance says caffeine during pregnancy should not exceed 200mg a day from all sources. | If I do not know what else a guest has consumed, I would rather offer a confirmed caffeine-free choice than assume a zero-sugar energy drink suits them. |
| Group pack | Check the number and size of cans, the exact variant, current availability and best-before information on the pack or product page. | I need enough drinks for the group without committing every guest to the same caffeine serving. |
Common buying mistakes
-
Treating zero sugar as a caffeine measure
Red Bull’s 250ml Sugarfree can contains 80mg caffeine, while Monster lists 150mg or 160mg for the specified 500ml zero-sugar cans. Choosing by sugar wording alone misses that difference in a whole-can serving.
Compare caffeine per can for each exact variant, and remember coffee, tea and other caffeinated drinks at brunch.
-
Making an energy drink everyone’s default
A smaller can still contains caffeine. The NHS limit during pregnancy is 200mg a day from all sources, and manufacturer warnings also identify groups for whom their drinks are not recommended.
Keep an option whose label confirms it is caffeine-free for guests avoiding caffeine, rather than assuming ‘diet’ means suitable for everyone.
-
Assuming a multipack listing means it is available
A retailer listing can remain visible when a particular pack cannot be ordered. Pack counts also differ, so a familiar drink name does not confirm how many servings you are selecting.
Before checkout, check the current availability, delivery to your postcode, can count and best-before information for the exact pack.
Relevant brands and retailers
These references help distinguish drink types and named variants; they do not imply that every product in a brand’s range has the same caffeine content or is available from the same retailer.
Red Bull
Red Bull Sugarfree is a 250ml energy-drink option for guests who want a smaller can.
- Red Bull states that a 250ml Sugarfree can contains 80mg caffeine.
- It still contains caffeine; check larger packs and other Red Bull variants separately.
Monster Energy
The named Ultra and Absolutely Zero variants provide 500ml zero-sugar energy-drink examples.
- Monster lists 0g sugar and 150mg caffeine for Ultra 500ml, and 0g sugar and 160mg caffeine for Absolutely Zero 500ml.
- A full 500ml can contains more caffeine than Red Bull’s specified 250ml Sugarfree can; check the exact variant before serving.
Lucozade
Lucozade describes Zero as a zero-sugar soft-drink range, rather than the specified energy-drink cans compared above.
- It offers a zero-sugar drink route when an energy drink is not the aim.
- Check the exact flavour’s label if caffeine content is decisive; a range name does not confirm that a particular drink is caffeine-free.
Relentless
Relentless is another energy-drink brand to consider by named flavour and pack, rather than by brand-wide assumptions.
- The Relentless Cherry product page lists caffeine at 0.03%.
- Its warning identifies children, pregnant or nursing people and those sensitive to caffeine; the Cherry ingredient statement should not be applied to every flavour.
Tesco
Tesco is a retailer reference for comparing listed energy-drink variants and pack sizes, not an energy-drink manufacturer in this comparison.
- Its energy-drink listing includes named Red Bull, Monster and Relentless products.
- Check the manufacturer’s information and the exact pack label for nutrition and caffeine details.
Zero-sugar energy drinks on Joybuy
These energy-drink multipacks offer either 250ml or 500ml cans for guests who want caffeine with a zero-sugar choice. For anyone who does not want caffeine, select a separate drink whose label confirms it is caffeine-free.
No image available
Monster Energy Ultra Zero Sugar 6x4x500ml
For guests choosing a larger zero-sugar energy-drink can, this is a 24-can pack of 500ml Ultra. Monster states 0g sugar and 150mg caffeine per can for this variant. Account for other caffeine consumed that day and check the exact can label before serving.
No image available
Monster Energy Original Green Zero Sugar 9x500ml
This nine-can pack offers a 500ml zero-sugar energy drink for guests choosing the Original Green variant. Its listed caffeine concentration is 32mg per 100ml, or 160mg per 500ml can. Check the pack’s caffeine warnings and allow for other caffeinated drinks.
No image available
Red Bull Zero Energy Drink 250ml 8 Pack
Eight 250ml cans provide a smaller energy-drink serving for guests who want the Zero variant. The listed caffeine concentration is 32mg per 100ml, or 80mg per can. It is distinct from Red Bull Sugarfree; check the Zero pack label and its consumption warnings.
No image available
Red Bull Sugarfree Energy Drink 250ml 24 Pack
This 24-can pack provides defined 250ml Sugarfree servings for a group choosing a caffeinated drink. Red Bull states 80mg caffeine per 250ml can. The smaller can is not a caffeine-free option; consider other caffeine consumed and check the pack warning.
Questions about brunch drinks
Does zero sugar mean caffeine-free?
No. Red Bull states that Sugarfree contains 80mg caffeine per 250ml can, while Monster lists 150mg for Ultra 500ml and 160mg for Absolutely Zero 500ml. Check the exact drink’s caffeine statement if a guest wants to avoid caffeine.
Which can gives a smaller caffeine serving?
Among these specified examples, Red Bull Sugarfree 250ml contains less caffeine per whole can at 80mg than Monster Ultra 500ml at 150mg or Monster Absolutely Zero 500ml at 160mg, according to their manufacturers. A smaller amount does not make it suitable for someone avoiding caffeine.
What if a brunch guest is pregnant?
Offer a drink confirmed as caffeine-free if you do not know their caffeine intake that day. NHS guidance says caffeine during pregnancy should not exceed 200mg a day from all sources, including energy drinks, coffee and tea; a 150mg or 160mg can would account for much of that amount.
What should I know about energy drinks for under-16s?
Do not assume a zero-sugar energy drink is an appropriate group drink for children. UK government labelling guidance requires a warning on drinks with more than 150mg caffeine per litre, other than tea or coffee, stating that they are not recommended for children or pregnant or breast-feeding women. In July 2026, the government also announced a planned restriction on sales of high-caffeine energy drinks to under-16s in England from April 2027; that announcement is not a UK-wide rule currently in force.
What should I check on a brunch multipack?
Check the exact variant, can size, number of cans, sugar information, ingredients, caffeine statement and any warnings. Also check current availability and best-before information for the pack you intend to buy; a listing for a similar variant or pack size is not a substitute for its label.