More people now check calories and sugar before choosing a soft drink. However, phrases such as “low calorie”, “sugar-free” and “zero calorie” do not all mean the same thing.
For drinks sold in Great Britain, nutrition claims must meet specific legal conditions. For example, a liquid can only be described as low energy if it contains no more than 20 kcal per 100ml, while an energy-free drink must contain no more than 4 kcal per 100ml.
At Florida Syrups, every flavour we offer is available in a sugar-free version. When prepared according to our recommended mixing instructions, our sugar-free syrups also qualify as low calorie.
What Does ‘Low Calorie’ Mean in the UK?
For drinks, the legal threshold for a low-energy claim is:
- 20 kcal or less per 100ml for a low-energy drink
- 4 kcal or less per 100ml for an energy-free drink
These limits apply to the drink as consumed. Therefore, when a concentrated syrup needs to be mixed before drinking, the relevant figure is the energy value of the prepared drink made according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
This distinction matters because concentrated syrup can look very different nutritionally before and after dilution.
Are ‘Low Calorie’ and ‘Sugar-Free’ the Same Thing?
No.
Low calorie refers to the amount of energy in the finished drink.
Sugar-free refers specifically to its sugar content.
A drink can therefore be sugar-free while still containing a small amount of energy from other ingredients. Likewise, a low-calorie drink does not automatically mean that it contains no sugar.
At Florida Syrups, every flavour is available in a sugar-free version, so customers can choose the flavour they want without being limited to only a few sugar-free options.
Are Florida Syrups Low Calorie?
Our sugar-free Florida Syrups qualify as low calorie when you prepare them according to our recommended mixing instructions.
For an 840ml bottle of pre-carbonated sparkling water, we recommend using 50ml of Florida Soda Syrup.
Always carbonate the water first, then add the syrup afterwards and mix gently.
Because the nutritional claim relates to the prepared drink, it is important to follow the recommended serving rather than guessing the amount of syrup. UK guidance also states that nutrition and health claims should relate to the food as ready for consumption according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
How Do You Use Florida Syrups with SodaStream?
Using Florida Syrups with a SodaStream or similar home carbonation system is simple:
- Fizz – carbonate your water first.
- Pour – add the recommended amount of syrup.
- Mix – gently mix the syrup through the carbonated water.
- Enjoy – pour and serve.
For an 840ml bottle of carbonated water, use 50ml of Florida Soda Syrup.
One of the most common mistakes we see is customers using too much or too little syrup. Therefore, measuring the syrup carefully helps you achieve a more consistent flavour.
How Much Drink Does One Bottle Make?
Florida Syrups are concentrated, so each bottle makes several litres of finished drink.
A 330ml bottle makes approximately 6.3 litres.
A 500ml bottle makes approximately 9.5 litres.
A 2 x 500ml twin pack makes approximately 19 litres.
This also makes it easier to understand nutrition information because you can compare the prepared drink rather than the concentrated syrup alone.
What Should You Look for on a Drinks Label?
When comparing syrups or soft drinks, start with the nutrition information rather than relying only on front-of-pack wording.
Look for:
- Energy in kcal per 100ml
- Sugar in grams per 100ml
- Whether the values refer to the concentrate or the prepared drink
- The recommended mixing instructions
- Whether the product contains sugar, sweeteners, or both
- Any nutrition claims such as “low calorie” or “sugar-free”
UK rules control nutrition claims, so terms such as “low energy” cannot simply be used as general marketing language unless the product meets the relevant conditions.
What About Sweeteners?
Sugar-free drinks often use sweeteners to provide sweetness without relying on sugar.
The important point is to check the ingredients and nutrition information on the specific product you are buying.
Food labelling rules also require relevant information where sweeteners are used, so the label should make this clear.
At Florida Syrups, we offer a sugar-free version of every flavour in our range, which gives customers more choice while keeping the flavour selection broad.
More Flavour Choice Without Limiting Sugar-Free Options
Sugar-free ranges are sometimes limited to a handful of traditional flavours.
At Florida Syrups, we take a different approach.
Every flavour we offer is available sugar-free. That means you can choose from classic, fruit, sour and other flavour styles without having to switch back to a sugared version simply because your preferred flavour is unavailable.
Developed and Manufactured in North East England
We develop and manufacture Florida Syrups in-house in North East England.
Our team handles:
- Product development
- Formulation
- Blending
- Filling
- Bottling
Many new flavour ideas begin with customer suggestions.
When we develop a new flavour, we make several samples and taste-test them. We then refine the formulation until we reach the version we believe works best.
We also taste-test each batch and carry out quality checks before products leave our facility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does low calorie mean for a drink in the UK?
A drink can make a low-energy claim if it contains no more than 20 kcal per 100ml.
What does zero calorie mean?
For an energy-free claim, a drink must contain no more than 4 kcal per 100ml.
Is sugar-free the same as low calorie?
No. Sugar-free refers to sugar content, while low calorie refers to the total energy value of the finished drink.
Are Florida Syrups available sugar-free?
Yes. Every Florida Syrups flavour is available in a sugar-free version.
Are Florida Syrups sugar-free versions low calorie?
Yes. When you prepare them according to our recommended instructions, the sugar-free versions qualify as low calorie.
How much Florida Syrup should I use?
For an 840ml bottle of pre-carbonated sparkling water, use 50ml of Florida Soda Syrup.
Why should I follow the recommended mixing amount?
Nutrition information for a dilutable product needs to be understood in the context of the prepared drink. Following the recommended amount also helps produce the intended flavour.
Where are Florida Syrups made?
We develop and manufacture Florida Syrups in-house in North East England.
Making Sense of Low-Calorie Drinks
Nutrition labels become much easier to understand once you know what the terms actually mean.
For drinks, low calorie refers to energy content, while sugar-free refers to sugar content. They are related, but they are not interchangeable.
At Florida Syrups, every flavour is available in a sugar-free version, and our sugar-free syrups qualify as low calorie when prepared according to our instructions.
So, if you want more choice without limiting yourself to only a few sugar-free flavours, explore the Florida Syrups range and choose the flavour that suits you.
Great breakdown of what “low calorie” really means in the UK. It’s helpful to see how dilution and sweeteners affect the final drink. I was also looking for calorie and diet stuff and found some useful blogs on SheMed, really helful for overall health and weight loss for women. Thank you also for sharing this info.