Searching for drinks that start with S? You are in the right place. This alphabetical drinks guide covers everyday favourites, party drinks, hot drinks, soft drinks, cocktails, spirits and a few lesser-known options too.

It is useful for quizzes, themed parties, alphabet food challenges, school projects, menu planning, or simply finding something different to sip. I have also included practical money-saving tips where they make sense, because plenty of shop-bought drinks can be made more cheaply at home.

Drinks That Start With S: Quick List

Here is a quick table of popular drinks beginning with S, including what they are and how they are usually served.

Soft Drinks That Start With S

Smoothie

A smoothie is one of the most flexible drinks starting with S. It is usually made by blending fruit with liquid such as milk, yoghurt, juice, kefir or a dairy-free alternative. Common smoothie ingredients include banana, berries, mango, spinach, oats and nut butter.

For a cheaper homemade smoothie, use frozen fruit rather than fresh out-of-season berries. A ripe banana, a handful of frozen berries and a splash of milk makes a filling drink for much less than a cafe version.

Squash

Squash is a classic UK drink made by diluting concentrated fruit cordial with water. Orange squash, blackcurrant squash and summer fruits squash are especially common. It is popular because it is cheap per serving, easy to store and simple to adjust to taste.

To save money, compare the price per litre of concentrate rather than only the bottle price. Double concentrate or quadruple concentrate can work out cheaper, provided you use the recommended dilution.

Soda Water

Soda water is carbonated water, often used as a mixer for alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. It has a clean, neutral taste and is handy for stretching cordials, fruit juices and syrups into refreshing fizzy drinks.

Budget tip: a splash of lemon juice or cordial in soda water can replace pricier canned fizzy drinks. If you regularly buy sparkling water, a home carbonation machine may save money over time, but only if you use it often enough.

Sparkling Water

Sparkling water is simply fizzy water, sometimes natural and sometimes carbonated. It can be plain or flavoured with lemon, lime, berry, cucumber or elderflower. It is a useful drink for anyone who wants something more interesting than tap water without lots of sugar.

For a low-cost version, chill tap water and add sliced citrus, mint, cucumber or a little leftover fruit. It will not be fizzy unless you carbonate it, but it still makes water feel more special.

Slushie

A slushie is a semi-frozen drink made with crushed ice and flavoured syrup or juice. It is often brightly coloured and sweet, but homemade versions can be gentler and cheaper.

To make a simple fruit slushie, blend ice with fruit juice and frozen berries. Serve immediately, as it melts quickly. It is a good way to use small amounts of leftover juice before it goes past its best.

Strawberry Milkshake

Strawberry milkshake is a sweet chilled drink made with milk and strawberries or strawberry flavouring. The homemade version is particularly good in summer when strawberries are cheaper.

Blend milk, strawberries and a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a treat-style shake, or use yoghurt and a banana for something thicker and less sugary. Frozen strawberries work well and are often better value than fresh berries outside the main season.

Sarsaparilla

Sarsaparilla is a traditional soft drink with a distinctive herbal, root-like flavour. It is not as common in UK supermarkets as cola or lemonade, but you may spot it in specialist shops, old-fashioned sweet shops or online.

It is sometimes compared with root beer, although recipes and flavours vary. If you are putting together a retro drinks table, sarsaparilla is a fun one to include.

Shirley Temple

A Shirley Temple is a non-alcoholic mixed drink usually made with ginger ale or lemonade, grenadine and a cherry garnish. It is sweet, bright and popular for parties because it looks like a cocktail without containing alcohol.

For a budget-friendly party version, use supermarket own-brand lemonade and add a little grenadine or raspberry syrup. Serve in small glasses with plenty of ice so it feels special without costing much.

Sherbet Drink

A sherbet drink can mean different things depending on where you are. In the UK, it is often linked with fizzy sherbet powder stirred into water or lemonade. It can also refer to creamy or fruity drinks inspired by sherbet flavours.

For children, keep portions small as these drinks can be very sweet. They are better as an occasional treat than an everyday drink.

Hot Drinks That Start With S

Sencha

Sencha is a popular Japanese green tea with a fresh, grassy flavour. It is usually brewed with hot water that is below boiling, as boiling water can make green tea taste bitter.

If you are trying sencha at home, start with a shorter brew time and adjust from there. Loose-leaf tea may seem pricier upfront, but it can be good value if you brew it carefully and avoid wasting leaves.

Spearmint Tea

Spearmint tea is a caffeine-free herbal infusion with a softer, sweeter flavour than peppermint. It can be served hot after meals or chilled as an iced tea.

You can make it with tea bags, dried spearmint or fresh mint leaves. If you grow mint in a pot, it becomes one of the cheapest hot drinks you can make. Mint spreads aggressively in the ground, so a container is usually easier to manage.

Spiced Chai

Spiced chai is a warm tea drink made with black tea, milk, sugar and spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves and black pepper. It is comforting, fragrant and easy to make at home.

Homemade chai is much cheaper than buying it from a coffee shop. Simmer milk, water, tea bags and spices together, then strain and sweeten to taste. You can use dairy milk, oat milk or another milk alternative.

Saffron Tea

Saffron tea is an aromatic drink made by infusing a few strands of saffron in hot water, sometimes with honey, lemon, cardamom or black tea. Saffron is expensive, but only a tiny amount is used.

Because saffron has a strong flavour and high price, buy a small amount from a reputable source rather than a large cheap pack of uncertain quality.

Salep

Salep is a warm, creamy drink associated with Turkey and parts of the Middle East. Traditional salep is made from orchid tuber flour, milk and sugar, often topped with cinnamon. It has a thick, comforting texture.

Authentic salep can be difficult to find in the UK, but instant mixes are sometimes available in international food shops. Check the ingredients, as many modern mixes use starches and flavourings rather than traditional salep flour.

Alcoholic Drinks That Start With S

The following drinks contain alcohol or are commonly made with alcohol. If serving them, follow UK alcohol guidance, drink responsibly and keep alcoholic drinks away from children.

Sangria

Sangria is a Spanish-style punch made with wine, fruit and sometimes brandy, orange liqueur, lemonade or soda water. Red sangria is the best-known version, but white sangria and rosé sangria are popular too.

It is a handy party drink because you can make a jug rather than mixing individual glasses. Use an affordable wine you would still be happy to drink. Very expensive wine is wasted in sangria, but harsh wine will not magically improve either.

Shandy

A shandy is beer mixed with lemonade, ginger beer or another soft drink. In the UK, lager and lemonade is the classic pub-style shandy. It is lighter than beer on its own and can be made with low-alcohol or alcohol-free lager too.

For barbecues and summer gatherings, shandy can help stretch drinks further and provide a lower-strength option for guests.

Spritz

A spritz is a sparkling cocktail typically made with a bitter or aromatic liqueur, prosecco and soda water. The Aperol Spritz is the famous orange version, but there are many variations using elderflower liqueur, limoncello or other aperitifs.

To keep costs down, use a decent budget sparkling wine rather than premium prosecco, and measure the liqueur so you do not pour more than needed.

Sidecar

The Sidecar is a classic cocktail made with cognac, orange liqueur and lemon juice. It is usually shaken with ice and served in a small glass, sometimes with a sugared rim.

It is sharp, strong and citrusy. Since it uses only a few ingredients, fresh lemon juice makes a noticeable difference.

Screwdriver

A Screwdriver is a simple cocktail made with vodka and orange juice. It is one of the easiest mixed drinks beginning with S, but it depends heavily on the quality of the orange juice.

Chilled juice and plenty of ice make it taste fresher. You can also make a weaker version by using more juice or topping with soda water.

Singapore Sling

The Singapore Sling is a famous gin-based cocktail with cherry liqueur, citrus, pineapple juice and other ingredients depending on the recipe. It is fruity, colourful and more involved than a basic highball.

For home entertaining, it is best made in small batches rather than individually if you have several guests. Prepare the juice mix in advance, then shake with ice when serving.

Sazerac

The Sazerac is a strong cocktail traditionally associated with New Orleans. It usually includes rye whiskey or cognac, sugar, bitters and an absinthe rinse.

It is a drink for slow sipping rather than topping up casually. If you only need absinthe for the rinse, look for a miniature bottle to avoid buying a full-sized one.

Sake

Sake is a Japanese alcoholic drink made from fermented rice. It is sometimes called rice wine, although the production process is different from grape wine. Sake can be served warm, room temperature or chilled depending on the style.

If you are new to sake, try a small bottle first. It pairs well with Japanese food, grilled fish, rice dishes and savoury snacks.

Sambuca

Sambuca is an Italian anise-flavoured liqueur. It is usually clear, sweet and strongly flavoured, although black sambuca is also available. It is often served in small measures after a meal.

Because the flavour is intense, a bottle lasts a long time. Store it tightly closed in a cool, dark cupboard.

Sloe Gin

Sloe gin is a sweet, fruity liqueur made by infusing gin with sloe berries and sugar. It has a deep red colour and a tart berry flavour.

It is lovely served neat in small glasses, topped with tonic, or added to sparkling wine. Homemade sloe gin is popular in the UK, especially in autumn, but only pick sloes if you can identify them safely and legally forage in the area.

Stout

Stout is a dark beer style with roasted flavours that can be coffee-like, chocolatey or malty. Dry Irish stout is the best-known type, but milk stout, oatmeal stout and imperial stout are also common.

Stout can be used in cooking too. A splash in beef stew or gravy adds depth, so leftover stout need not go to waste.

Scotch

Scotch is whisky made in Scotland according to specific regulations. It can be smoky, sweet, fruity, spicy or mellow depending on region and production style.

If buying Scotch as a gift, it is worth finding out whether the person likes peaty flavours. Smoky whisky can be divisive, while many blended Scotches are gentler and more budget-friendly.

Cocktails And Mocktails That Start With S

Some S drinks are especially useful for parties because they can be served with or without alcohol. Here are a few easy options.

• Strawberry spritz: Strawberry syrup, soda water, ice and mint. Add prosecco for an alcoholic version.
• Spiced apple spritzer: Apple juice, soda water, cinnamon and a squeeze of lemon.
• Summer punch: Fruit juice, lemonade, sliced oranges, berries and ice.
• Sour mix mocktail: Lemon juice, lime juice, sugar syrup and soda water.
• Shirley Temple: Lemonade or ginger ale with grenadine and a cherry.

For a cheaper party drinks table, make one large non-alcoholic jug, one alcoholic jug and keep water available. Guests can serve themselves, and you avoid buying lots of different bottles that may only be half used.

Money-Saving Tips For Drinks Starting With S

Drinks can quietly push up the food shop, especially if you buy single bottles, cartons or cafe drinks. These small habits can help keep costs down.

• Use frozen fruit for smoothies: It lasts longer and reduces waste.
• Buy squash on offer: Concentrated squash is often cheaper per serving than ready-to-drink juice.
• Make iced tea at home: Spearmint tea, green tea and chai can all be chilled for later.
• Choose own-brand mixers: Soda water, lemonade and tonic are often good value from supermarket own ranges.
• Batch party drinks: Sangria, punch and spritz-style jugs are easier and often cheaper than individual cocktails.
• Use leftovers wisely: Small amounts of juice can go into slushies, smoothies, marinades or ice lollies.
• Check unit prices: Bigger bottles are not always cheaper, especially when promotions are running.

Simple Homemade Strawberry Smoothie

If this list has made you thirsty, here is a quick, budget-friendly drink that starts with S and takes only a few minutes.

Ingredients

• 1 ripe banana
• 150g frozen strawberries
• 200ml milk, oat milk or yoghurt thinned with a little water
• 1 teaspoon honey or sugar, optional
• A few ice cubes, optional

Equipment

• Blender
• Measuring jug
• Glass or reusable bottle

Method

1. Peel the banana and break it into chunks.
2. Add the banana, frozen strawberries and milk to the blender.
3. Blend until smooth, adding a splash more liquid if needed.
4. Taste and sweeten only if necessary.
5. Pour into a glass and drink straight away.

Storage Tips

Smoothies are best served fresh. If you need to store one, keep it covered in the fridge and drink it within 24 hours. Stir or shake before serving, as it may separate. Do not leave dairy-based smoothies sitting at room temperature for long periods.

Variations

• Add oats for a thicker breakfast smoothie.
• Use mixed berries instead of strawberries.
• Add a spoonful of peanut butter for extra richness.
• Use apple juice instead of milk for a fruitier drink.
• Add spinach for a green smoothie with a milder flavour than you might expect.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with toast, porridge, pancakes or a simple sandwich. For children, pour into small cups to reduce waste. You can also freeze leftover smoothie in lolly moulds.

FAQs About Drinks That Start With S

What are some common drinks that start with S?

Common drinks that start with S include smoothie, squash, soda water, sparkling water, slushie, strawberry milkshake, shandy, sangria, spritz, sake, stout, Scotch, sencha and spearmint tea.

What soft drinks start with S?

Soft drinks beginning with S include squash, soda water, sparkling water, smoothies, slushies, strawberry milkshake, sarsaparilla and Shirley Temple mocktails.

What alcoholic drinks start with S?

Alcoholic drinks that start with S include sangria, shandy, spritz, Sidecar, Screwdriver, Singapore Sling, Sazerac, sake, sambuca, sloe gin, stout and Scotch.

What hot drinks begin with S?

Hot drinks beginning with S include sencha, spearmint tea, spiced chai, saffron tea and salep.

What is a cheap drink that starts with S?

Squash is one of the cheapest everyday drinks starting with S, especially when bought as concentrated cordial and diluted at home. Homemade smoothies can also be cheap if you use frozen fruit and ripe bananas.

What drink starting with S is good for parties?

Sangria, spritz jugs, summer punch, Shirley Temple mocktails and strawberry slushies are all good party drinks beginning with S. They can be made in batches, which saves time and often costs less than serving individual drinks.

Is soda water the same as sparkling water?

They are very similar, as both are fizzy water. Soda water may contain added minerals or salts, while sparkling water can be naturally sparkling or carbonated. For most home drinks and mixers, they can often be used in the same way.