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?

I think there is definitely a gap in the market now for natural mixers - IF I thought for a moment that a sugar tax on fizzy drinks would help with the obesity crisis, I'd be supportive, and IF there was still the opportunity to buy sugar laden drinks, albeit at a premium for those of us who want to occasionally have sugary drinks - or enjoy a Pimms in the summer without chemical additives.

However, there is no evidence it works (eg in Mexico where they have had one for years, their obesity levels have risen since its imposition), and I massively object to our choices being narrowed/removed altogether.

@pigmcpigface I have a friend with Addison's, she has to read labels of anything packaged to avoid having an episode. Unfortunately her conditions also mean she is so tired that she doesn't have the energy to cook and just needs the easiest food possible. Thankfully I think Addison's is rare, but she'll have even more trouble now, at least I only get unpleasant symptoms instead of dangerous ones!

I am sure that a market would open up for sugar-laden premium drinks in the event of a sugar tax. I imagine most people drinking expensive gin or Pimms are not that price-sensitive on the mixers.

gummy - I had no idea sweeteners triggered Addison's either. Learning a lot on this thread!

Clearly you substitute lemonade for prosecco as a mixer!

Rocks stockists for Daisy. Not a very helpful list, but I have bought it from Sainsbury’s and our local health food shop.

What is wrong with sweeteners? I must have missed a memo!

Well they make me very unwell (stomach cramps, diarrhoea and sometimes vomiting). They don’t make DH ill but he hates the taste. Apparently they can cause problems in people with ASD - my son is autistic so I have never given artificial sweeteners to him. In fact we switched to paracetamol tablets for him (when needed) when he was still quite small because I couldn’t get liquid paracetamol without artificial sweeteners.

@BuggerOffAndGoodDayToYou Oh really? What kind of problems? I have autism but already avoid them, I strongly suspect DH has on some level but he only avoids a couple of them so would be interesting to see if he has the problems.

There is a Waitrose in Heathfield now, not sure if that's any closer for you, also it's not a massive store as far as I can tell, but I've only seen it from the outside.

Just drink a pina colada on the garden instead made with coconut cream, fresh pineapple juice and rum, no sweeteners in there problem solved

in*

Thanks BikeRunSki - I'll be making the drive to waitrose or sainsburys (or whatever they will be called now!) to see if they stock Rocks.

I've made lemon syrup and ginger syrups before but I must admit I've looked up simple syrup recipes and might have a go at making a berry syrup using frozen fruits and proper sugar.. worth a try and probably cheaper!

Shall we take bets on how many years it will be before the Government realises that all these artificial sweeteners are causing far more health problems than sugar ever did - and that the sugar tax has not solved the obesity crisis?

Bigblue the warning is already here.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=moQZd1-BC0Y
University of California lecturer, an excellent listen.

@GummyGoddess I was told that it can increase any tics or anxiety they have. This was by the Autism Assessment team. I’ve never had artificial sweeteners in the house anyway so don’t know if they do affect my DS but it’s not a risk I’m prepared to take. He doesn’t really like fizzy drinks anyway and is happy with milk or water in general so it’s only the squash (he loves hot black currant when he gets home from school in the cold) that I have to look at.

Fever tree do a lovely Sicilian lemonade - I don't think that has added nasties. Wouldn't be without my fever tree tonic either, they are lovely on their own or as mixers.

I haven't rtft but last year, Waitrose were selling their own brand lemonade that doesn't have the crappy sweeteners in it. It's in yellow cans and I think it says 'with real juice' on the can or something similar.

Not 100% sure but I THINK Aldi's own is sugar as opposed to sweeteners.

The taste issue is genetic. You either have a gene that makes sweeteners taste vile, or you don't.

@I find them bitter and disgusting.

@Oakmaiden is that a different gene to the coriander soapy one? I find that revolting too.

Not 100% sure but I THINK Aldi's own is sugar as opposed to sweetener

Unfortunately not, it contains sweetener

Soulrider, apologies. Maybe I'm thinking of lidl. I'm sure one of them was sugar only.

I have just bought 3 x £10 Marks and Spencer Dine In meals- with, included, 3 x £6.50 Summer Cup, sparkling gin cocktail. It is rather nice and tastes of cucumber and lemon zest. Summer is looking rather good from this armchair.

I have dumped Pimms and Lemonade for gin and tonic with 4 crushed strawberries, a smidge of freshly ground black pepper and some mint leaves. Less sweet, more delicious.

Lemonade is pretty easy to make, it takes loads of sugar and you boil up the zest and juice and leave overnight. It makes a concentrated squash which you dilute - could be done with soda water for fizziness. But I think you would need nice big juicy lemons rather than the little things from the supermarket. And it turns the prep of your Pimm's into a 24 hour operation (plus a trip to the market for lemons) which isn't what you want for a summer cocktail!

Last time I looked, lidl tonic was sweetener free but that was a few months ago before the kneejerk reaction to the sugar tax. Don't know about lemonade.