To think summer is ruined?

[Panicmode1]

I thought, as it's going to be a nice weekend, I would get some Pimms and lemonade - but I couldn't find a single lemonade in Sainsbury's that didn't have aspartame/sweeteners in it.......

So AIBU to think summer has been ruined? What is one to drink at the events of the season now?

Sainsbos used to do an aspartame free lemonade

But not any more unfortunately.

From the Fever Tree website

Unlike most mixers and soft drinks on the market today which contain saccharine or aspartame, our products contain no artificial sweeteners. In our regular products we use cane sugar and in our Refreshingly Light products we use fruit sugar. These naturally sourced sweeteners create a fuller mouth-feel with none of the cloying aftertastes associated with cheaper, artificial alternatives.

So there's hope there, or possibly Waitrose. Otherwise, you're probably screwed OP, it's a nightmare (of the first world variety obviously). Those of us who drink moderate amounts of soft drinks and mixers are being cast aside so the masses can carry on drinking soft drinks by the gallon without the calories or tooth decay.

I must admit although I am all for cutting down on sugar, I do find most soft drinks no have sweeteners in them and I find them 'drying'. I do not have them too often as I am diabetic and trying to avoid fizzy drinks etc anyway but blimey they make me thirstier!!

And everyone can just pop into Waitrose...
I've not checked, but didn't Sprite or 7up not ave sweeteners? (Whichever owned by Coke)

Waitrose does proper ye olde lemonade as does Asda.

I stand corrected about Fever Tree. Someone told me they had also gone to the dark side!

I'd make my own and use soda water.

That’s a massive over reaction

No, it was what is called lighthearted

I’m not a lemonade drinker, but have you tried health food shop?

Actually for us folk nowhere near the hallowed halls of Waitrose, morrisons own brand "posh" soft drinks, including lemonade are not tainted. Neither is Fentimans, I particularly like their rose lemonade. But with Pimms, I much prefer the clear stuff to olde style.

You could make “Pimms Royale” - no lemonade required, just stock up on the prosecco or cava (totally not worth using champagne for that). Warning though - it tastes deceptively like “ordinary” Pimms so, y’know, maybe don’t have 6 or 7 glasses of it voice of experience from now very hazy university garden party days

Or buy Fever Tree (which is lovely).

I also made a thread about sweetener free lemonade, Marks and Spencer also do some if you aren't near a waitrose.

Thank you SoupDragon - I thought it was fairly obvious it was lighthearted, despite being in AIBU...!

Even though I live in Tunbridge Wells, we don't have a Waitrose and have to drive to Tonbridge; Morrisons is a bit of a drive away, so I thought Sainsbury's would be my best bet.

I too love the Fentimans Rose Lemonade, (which they did have a v small bottle of) but I don't like it in Pimms...... I will go to Waitrose and stock up!! I like the idea of sugary lemonade being in a health food shop - there's a good one that's opened very near me, so I will go and look on the off chance!

Surely once it's mixed with the pimms you can't tell the difference

I didn't know Fever Tree did lemonade either - although I'm 99% sure they didn't stock/have any in last night....but good to know - and also that M&S do sweetener free versions. Summer is back on - hurrah. (Better start saving for the £15 or whatever I got charged at Wimbledon last year for a tiny glass...)

Look harder! Sainsbury’s own brand Classic Lemonade is sugar only, no sweetener.

Imagine banging on about how the OP should make her own lemonade when numerous posters have already suggested where she can buy it from. This place!

Would you be able to venture into another shop? >stage gasp

NewYearNewMe18 - I'll send my butler after he's finished making my lemonade for me .

I could of course, but there isn't much choice here - Sainsbury's, M&S and Asda (which was in the wrong place for me to get to yesterday...). I was wondering, given that Sainbury's is my largest supermarket, it would stock the widest range of soft drinks.....

Eifla - I spent ages - they didn't have any Sainsbury's Classic Lemonade, I promise you I spent a long time looking!

Fever Tree lemonade is lovely but I've only ever seen it in bars never a shop. They only ever seem to sell the tonic

‘No, it was what is called lighthearted’

As is an AIBU thread

Don’t whites do a full sugar version?

Ah just checked it has sweeteners...probably why I like it so much

panicmode1 . you can buy fevertree etc on Amazon... no need to traipse round the shops, they deliver!

Our local Sainsburys doesn't stock the classic lemonade (I've asked), but the Waitrose lemonade is cheaper anyway

Jax, marvellous news, thank you!