The Classic Boiled Sweets Worth Knowing
Cola Cubes
Small, red and square with a sharp cola flavour and a slight acidic fizz. One of the most consistently popular retro sweets in the UK and rarely off the bestseller list.
Sherbet Lemons
A hard lemon shell with a fizzy sherbet centre. The combination of sharp citrus and popping sherbet is what separates them from a standard fruit drop. A traditional sweet shop staple for over a century.
Rhubarb and Custard
Two-tone pink and yellow, with a flavour that genuinely captures both the tartness of rhubarb and the creamier custard finish. One of the most recognisable colour combinations in British confectionery.
Pear Drops
Half pink, half yellow, with an artificial pear flavour that has been a fixture in British sweet shops since the Victorian era. The flavour is sharper and more intense than fresh pear.
Army and Navy Tablets
Black, lozenge-shaped and flavoured with liquorice, aniseed and a slightly medicinal note. Not a sweet for everyone, but they have a devoted following. The name is thought to come from their popularity with service personnel during the First World War.
Humbugs
Striped mint and toffee sweets with a chewy centre. The mint flavour is strong and the toffee gives them a different texture from other boiled sweets once you work through the hard outer shell.
Are Boiled Sweets Vegan?
Most traditional boiled sweets are vegan friendly. The standard recipe contains no animal-derived ingredients. Some manufacturers add beeswax as a glazing agent, which would make those products unsuitable for vegans, so it is worth checking the individual product page if this matters to you. Cola cubes, pear drops, rhubarb and custard sweets and sherbet lemons are all typically vegan. Browse our vegan sweets range for a fully filtered selection.
Buying Boiled Sweets in Bulk
All boiled sweets on this page are available from £1 a bag. Many lines also come in larger jars and bulk formats, which suit offices, sweet tables and anyone who goes through them regularly. The full cases range has the best per-unit pricing on high-volume orders. Free UK delivery on orders over £20.
Boiled Sweets: Frequently Asked Questions
What are boiled sweets?
Boiled sweets are hard candies made by heating sugar and glucose syrup to a high temperature until the mixture sets glass-like when cooled. They are designed to dissolve slowly on the tongue rather than be chewed. Classic British examples include cola cubes, sherbet lemons, pear drops, rhubarb and custard sweets and humbugs.
Are boiled sweets vegan?
Most traditional boiled sweets are vegan, as the basic recipe contains no animal-derived ingredients. Some products use beeswax as a glazing agent, which makes those unsuitable for vegans. Check the individual product page for confirmation.
Are boiled sweets gluten free?
Standard boiled sweets contain no gluten ingredients. People with coeliac disease should check individual product pages for cross-contamination information, as manufacturing environments vary between brands.
How long do boiled sweets last?
Boiled sweets have a long shelf life due to their very low moisture content. Kept in a cool, dry place they will stay good for six months to a year. They do not go stale the way softer sweets do.
Can I buy boiled sweets in bulk?
Yes. All boiled sweets on this page start from £1 a bag. Larger jar formats are available on some lines. Orders over £20 qualify for free UK delivery.
What is the difference between boiled sweets and fudge?
Boiled sweets are cooked to a much higher temperature than fudge, which makes them set hard and glass-like. Fudge is cooked to a lower temperature and beaten while cooling, giving it a soft, crumbly texture. They are made from similar ingredients but produce completely different results.
