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Original poster

Very boring logistical question about squash

40 replies

Teachingquestion · 29/07/2025 16:57

I am giving fair warning that this thread is boring!
I drink a lot of squash , as I don't like fizzy drinks or fruit juice..
Some things are atarting to bother me about it. The plastic bottles, I'd like to cut down on these. The sweetener, and the chemicals.
I won't drink just plain water. What can I drink? I still want it to be low cal, but sweet.
Ideas : glass jug in fridge with cucumber minty water. Cold fruit teas again stored in fridge and maybe sweetened with honey?
How can I stop the squash? Any ideas gratefully recieved.

OP posts:
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TMMC1 · 14/10/2025 09:24

Soda? Tonic? both sweeter than sparkling water. All come in glass bottles without lots of flavouring and chemicals.
fruit juice with sparkling water, also sweet.

or cut the sugar/sweeteners and drink plain water with cucumber or mint as you suggested.

Isittimeformynapyet · 14/10/2025 09:23

StayClassySandy · 14/10/2025 08:55

Does a couple of months count as a 🧌?

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Not sure. I'm just covering myself 😉

WrylyAmused · 14/10/2025 09:06

Pure fruit juice, and then dilute like squash. Much healthier, natural, not expensive, and plenty of different flavours available.

StayClassySandy · 14/10/2025 08:55

Isittimeformynapyet · 14/10/2025 08:51

I call it dilute

Does that mean you say to yourself "hmm, I think I'll have another glass of dilute"?

ETA. Oh Christ, I've been got by a zombie!

Edited
Show quote history

Does a couple of months count as a 🧌?

StayClassySandy · 14/10/2025 08:53

Tesco have Bottlegreen squash or Rocks, they aren't expensive if you just use it weakly. The M&S ones are horrible, taste like sugared water. I also drink diluted Fevertree - I add fizzy water, also dilute actual orange/apple juice with fizzy water.
You can buy actual steviol plants if you wanted to make your own sugar free sweeter squash.

Isittimeformynapyet · 14/10/2025 08:51

Soonenough · 29/07/2025 17:30

Am I the only one who thought this was about squash , the ball game .. ? As for what you call squash the drink I call it dilute or it brand name . And I find it nauseatingly sweet . I love pure natural water .

I call it dilute

Does that mean you say to yourself "hmm, I think I'll have another glass of dilute"?

ETA. Oh Christ, I've been got by a zombie!

myavocadoisgrowing · 14/10/2025 08:46

Bottle green is the one you claim is expensive but it is a cordial so you use a tiny amount compared to squash.

GlastoNinja · 14/10/2025 08:26

GaspingGekko · 29/07/2025 17:47

They're called air up. I've never used them, but they have a scent pod near the opening so you get a fruit flavour, but all you are drinking is plain water.

https://shop.air-up.com/gb/en/bottles

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I tried my granddaughter’s they’re revolting. They still taste like water but smell like those smelly rubbers you get as a child

Mumgoingplaces · 14/10/2025 08:17

We are a big squash household, but I have also been feeling guilty about it recently due to the same concerns (I need to stop reading about micro plastics 😅) My SIL uses Spuce, and I found it in Sainos last week so gave it a go. It's been a game-changer!

Very boring logistical question about squash
pinkpony88 · 29/07/2025 22:45

Soonenough · 29/07/2025 17:30

Am I the only one who thought this was about squash , the ball game .. ? As for what you call squash the drink I call it dilute or it brand name . And I find it nauseatingly sweet . I love pure natural water .

No I thought it was going to be about the vegetable… 🤣

Laura95167 · 29/07/2025 21:08

There's those weird things that just smell like juice that trick you into thinking water is squash

Original poster
Teachingquestion · 29/07/2025 18:15

LiteralLunatic · 29/07/2025 18:07

Homemade cordial is easy to make, eg lemon, orange, ginger, elderflower, mint, rhubarb, rose, orange blossom, but if you want it to be sweet you will have to add sugar or honey (so it won’t be low calorie) or some kind of sweetener (eg Stevia).

Cold hibiscus tea is a traditional summer drink in Egypt. It tastes like berries. Usually, you add sugar but it’s quite nice without. Google karkade recipes.

Oh thanks this sounds great!

OP posts:
LiteralLunatic · 29/07/2025 18:07

Homemade cordial is easy to make, eg lemon, orange, ginger, elderflower, mint, rhubarb, rose, orange blossom, but if you want it to be sweet you will have to add sugar or honey (so it won’t be low calorie) or some kind of sweetener (eg Stevia).

Cold hibiscus tea is a traditional summer drink in Egypt. It tastes like berries. Usually, you add sugar but it’s quite nice without. Google karkade recipes.

Devilsmommy · 29/07/2025 18:05

GaspingGekko · 29/07/2025 17:47

They're called air up. I've never used them, but they have a scent pod near the opening so you get a fruit flavour, but all you are drinking is plain water.

https://shop.air-up.com/gb/en/bottles

Show quote history

My niece has one of these and she loves it. Definitely be perfect for someone who drinks a lot of squash

Devilsmommy · 29/07/2025 18:04

Have a bottle of water and put lots of fruit in it. Refrigerated overnight so the fruit leeches in the water and sweetens it nicely. Strawberry, raspberries, blueberries, orange slices, lemon, apple etc

Original poster
Teachingquestion · 29/07/2025 18:01

Thanks for the tips, will definitely try making my own. Seems quite easy and will probably be delicious.
I'll get myself a glass fridge jug as well

OP posts:
Vintagenow · 29/07/2025 17:55

Squash? You mean diluting juice surely Wink
M&S do some nice fruit cordials in glass bottles. They're much milder than the likes of Robinson's which I find too strong unless I just use a splash.

FullOfMomsense · 29/07/2025 17:53

MemorableTrenchcoat · 29/07/2025 17:51

You don’t need some flavourings, you’ve just got into the habit of consuming them.

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A bit of fruit is ok, we don't need to be scared of flavourings. Water is great but fruit is great too!

FullOfMomsense · 29/07/2025 17:53

Teachingquestion · 29/07/2025 17:49

Weirdly I never considered making my own!
Will investigate

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Have a look at frozen berries as a cost cutting measure. I would pop them on the hob with a dash of sugar and water and cook them down, then strain and leave to cool. You could concentrate them further but if you have time to do it once a week I wouldn't worry. This recipe seems fairly straightforward

Assssofspades · 29/07/2025 17:51

I found Mr Fitzpatricks do no added sugar cordial in glass bottles, low calorie and they're lovely, but obviously more pricey.

MemorableTrenchcoat · 29/07/2025 17:51

Teachingquestion · 29/07/2025 17:36

I definitely won't stick with plain water, I will need some flavourings

You don’t need some flavourings, you’ve just got into the habit of consuming them.

Original poster
Teachingquestion · 29/07/2025 17:49

FullOfMomsense · 29/07/2025 17:47

Non-fizzy lemonade? Lemon, sugar syrup, water, ice. Could do the same with limes, crushed berries etc. I often make mocktails and cocktails with leftover jam- put ice and water/lemonade in jar, screw lid on and shake.

Look out for cordials on offer- they're not always extortionate. You could just have one bottle a month, or fortnight. Same price as the cost of your squash bill I'm sure?

Weirdly I never considered making my own!
Will investigate

OP posts:
GaspingGekko · 29/07/2025 17:47

Teachingquestion · 29/07/2025 17:36

Haven't heard of this , am intrigued!

Show quote history

They're called air up. I've never used them, but they have a scent pod near the opening so you get a fruit flavour, but all you are drinking is plain water.

https://shop.air-up.com/gb/en/bottles

air up Flavoured Water Bottles: Taste Through Scent

Up your hydration with Air Up! Try our water bottles that flavour water through scent—no additives! Say goodbye to boring H2O; hello to fruity magic ➤ Shop Now!

https://shop.air-up.com/gb/en/bottles

FullOfMomsense · 29/07/2025 17:47

Non-fizzy lemonade? Lemon, sugar syrup, water, ice. Could do the same with limes, crushed berries etc. I often make mocktails and cocktails with leftover jam- put ice and water/lemonade in jar, screw lid on and shake.

Look out for cordials on offer- they're not always extortionate. You could just have one bottle a month, or fortnight. Same price as the cost of your squash bill I'm sure?