Are There Any Energy Drinks Without Artificial Sweeteners? A Guide to Natural Options

October 24, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a survey, a large percentage of consumers are actively seeking to reduce or eliminate artificial sweeteners from their diet. This shift in consumer preference has led to a major question for health-conscious individuals: Are there any energy drinks without artificial sweeteners? The answer is yes, with a growing market offering cleaner, natural energy sources.

Quick Summary

This guide explores the increasing availability of natural energy drinks, detailing plant-based alternatives and natural sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit. It provides specific brand examples and discusses the benefits of opting for a cleaner, more nutritious energy source.

Key Points

Natural Sweeteners Are Available: Look for energy drinks sweetened with plant-based alternatives like stevia and monk fruit to avoid artificial ones.
Plant-Based Caffeine Sources: Natural energy drinks often get their caffeine from sources like yerba maté, green tea, or guayusa, which provide a smoother, longer-lasting lift.
Read Labels Carefully: Always check the ingredients list, as some brands may combine natural sweeteners with other additives.
Diverse Product Choices: The market for artificial sweetener-free energy drinks is growing, with options available from brands like Guayaki, Pureboost, and RIOT Clean Energy.
DIY Options for Total Control: For complete ingredient control, making a homemade energy drink using green tea, yerba maté, and natural sweeteners is a great alternative.
Benefits of Natural Energy: Opting for clean energy sources can help you avoid the jitters and crashes commonly associated with synthetic ingredients.

The Shift Towards Clean Energy

For years, the energy drink market was dominated by products containing high levels of sugar and synthetic additives, including artificial sweeteners like sucralose, aspartame, and acesulfame potassium. These ingredients were used to provide a sweet flavor without the calories of sugar, but many consumers have grown wary of their potential health effects. This has fueled a significant demand for products with clean labels and naturally sourced ingredients. Today, you don't have to sacrifice your health goals for a quick energy boost, as many brands have risen to the challenge by using natural alternatives.

Natural Caffeine and Sweetener Sources

Instead of relying on synthetic compounds, manufacturers of natural energy drinks harness the power of plant-derived ingredients. These often provide a more balanced, sustained energy release, minimizing the jitters and subsequent crash associated with traditional energy drinks.

Natural Caffeine Sources

Yerba Maté: This South American tea is renowned for its clean, focused energy boost. It contains natural caffeine alongside theobromine and antioxidants, offering a smooth and long-lasting lift. Brands like Guayaki and CLEAN Cause utilize yerba maté as a key ingredient.
Green Tea and Matcha: Green tea provides a moderate amount of caffeine, often paired with L-theanine, an amino acid that promotes calm and focus. Matcha, a concentrated form of green tea, is also a popular base for clean energy drinks due to its slower-release caffeine.
Guayusa: An Amazonian leaf, guayusa offers a smooth, jitter-free energy similar to yerba maté. It's often found in cold brew tea blends and is known for its clean, light flavor.
Coffee Fruit Extract: Sourced from the coffee berry, this extract provides natural caffeine and other antioxidants.

Natural Sweeteners

Stevia: Extracted from the leaves of the stevia plant, this is a calorie-free, plant-derived sweetener that does not impact blood sugar levels. It is a popular choice for many sugar-free natural energy drinks and is generally recognized as safe. Brands like Zevia and Kill Cliff use stevia to achieve a sweet taste.
Monk Fruit: Also known as Lo Han Guo, monk fruit is another highly potent, calorie-free natural sweetener. It is often less refined than stevia and contains antioxidants. Some brands, like BeGOAT and Jocko Fuel, utilize monk fruit to achieve a zero-sugar profile.
Fruit Juice: Some brands use a small amount of natural fruit juice to provide a subtle sweetness and flavor, alongside other natural sweeteners.

Leading Brands of Artificial Sweetener-Free Energy Drinks

A variety of brands are catering to the clean energy movement. These brands prioritize natural ingredients, providing a healthier alternative to traditional options.

Notable Brands

Guayaki Organic Yerba Mate: Offers multiple unsweetened flavors, providing 140 mg of caffeine with zero added sugar.
RIOT Clean Energy Drink: A USDA organic option with zero artificial ingredients and no added sugar. It uses real fruit for flavor.
Pureboost: Available as a powder mix, it's sweetened with stevia and contains green tea caffeine, along with vitamins and electrolytes.
CELSIUS Live Fit: While some flavors are artificially sweetened, many of their essential energy drinks are free from artificial preservatives and flavors. Always check the specific product label.
FOCUSAID Clean Energy: This brand focuses on clean energy and nootropics, using natural caffeine sources and avoiding artificial sweeteners.
Hiball Energy: Offers sparkling water-based energy drinks with organic caffeine, using no artificial sweeteners or flavors.

Comparison of Natural Energy Drink Types


Feature	Sparkling Yerba Maté	Unsweetened Matcha Drink	Adaptogenic Blends
Caffeine Source	Yerba maté, a South American tea.	Green tea powder.	Natural caffeine (e.g., ginseng, rhodiola).
Energy Profile	Smooth, long-lasting energy with less jitter.	Gentle, sustained lift due to L-theanine.	Supports energy and stress response.
Sweeteners	Often unsweetened or naturally flavored with botanicals.	Typically no added sugar; rely on matcha flavor.	Varies; may contain natural sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit.
Flavor Profile	Earthy and herbaceous, often combined with citrus or fruit.	Grassy, smooth, and sometimes creamy.	Herbal and earthy, with notes of berries or spice.

Crafting Your Own Natural Energy Drink

For those who prefer a completely customized and controlled beverage, making a homemade energy drink is a great option. This approach allows you to select every ingredient and avoid all additives.

Homemade Recipe Idea

Ingredients: 2 green tea bags, 1 yerba maté tea bag, 1 cup boiling water, a tablespoon of honey or agave nectar, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
Instructions: Steep the tea bags in boiling water for 5 minutes. Remove the bags, stir in your natural sweetener and lemon juice, and cool completely. Serve over ice for a refreshing and clean energy boost.

Conclusion: Fueling Your Body Naturally

For anyone concerned about their nutrition diet and asking, "are there any energy drinks without artificial sweeteners?", the answer is a resounding yes. The market has evolved to offer numerous natural, plant-based alternatives that provide a cleaner energy lift without the potential pitfalls of artificial additives. Whether you choose a brand like Guayaki or decide to craft your own drink at home, you can find a suitable option to fuel your day. By reading labels and opting for natural caffeine and sweeteners like yerba maté and stevia, you can make a healthier choice for your body and mind.

For more information on natural alternatives to energy drinks, you can explore resources like Healthline's guide on healthy energy drink options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Energy drinks without artificial sweeteners typically use natural, zero-calorie sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit extract. Some may also use a small amount of fruit juice or agave for flavor.

Yes, many sugar-free energy drinks now use natural, zero-calorie sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit to achieve a sweet taste without added sugars. It's important to check the label for confirmation.

The main benefit is avoiding potential health risks and digestive issues associated with certain artificial sweeteners. Natural options often provide a cleaner energy boost without the jittery feeling or a hard crash.

Several brands offer natural energy drinks, including Guayaki Organic Yerba Mate, RIOT Clean Energy, Pureboost, and Hiball Energy. These brands are known for using clean, natural ingredients.

Natural caffeine sources in these beverages include yerba maté, green tea extract, guayusa, and coffee fruit extract. These ingredients are plant-based and provide a smoother energy release.

Check the ingredients list on the product label. Look for chemical-sounding names like sucralose, aspartame, acesulfame potassium, or saccharin. Natural products will clearly state that they are sweetened with ingredients like stevia or monk fruit.

Yes, you can make a simple, natural energy drink by steeping green tea and yerba maté tea bags in hot water and adding a natural sweetener like honey, agave, or fresh fruit juice. This gives you full control over the ingredients.