Do They Make Diet Soda Without Aspartame? A Guide to Aspartame-Free Options

January 11, 2026 •

4 min read

According to a 2023 survey, consumer demand for beverages with 'natural' or 'clean label' ingredients has surged, prompting manufacturers to innovate beyond traditional formulations. Yes, they make diet soda without aspartame, and a variety of alternatives sweetened with stevia, monk fruit, and other ingredients are now widely available for those seeking to avoid it.

Quick Summary

A growing market of diet sodas sweetened with alternatives like stevia, monk fruit, and sucralose exists for consumers wishing to avoid aspartame. Many mainstream and specialized brands offer aspartame-free options in various flavors.

Key Points

Availability: Yes, numerous diet sodas without aspartame are available, using alternative sweeteners like stevia, monk fruit, and sucralose.
Stevia-Sweetened Options: Brands like Zevia and Green Cola are sweetened with stevia leaf extract, a natural, plant-based, zero-calorie option.
Sucralose-Sweetened Options: Diet Rite and some older Diet Coke formulations use sucralose (Splenda), providing a familiar, sugar-like taste without aspartame.
Health-Focused Alternatives: Prebiotic sodas like Olipop use blends of natural sweeteners and include functional ingredients for gut health.
DIY Method: For maximum control, you can create your own aspartame-free soda by combining sparkling water with natural extracts or liquid sweeteners.
Informed Choice: Always read product labels, as sweetener formulas can change, and some products that once offered aspartame-free versions may have been discontinued.

Why Search for Diet Soda Without Aspartame?

Aspartame has been a popular artificial sweetener for decades, but concerns about its health effects have led many consumers to seek alternatives. These concerns range from headaches and dizziness to more serious, though controversial, claims about its long-term impact on gut health and overall wellness. While regulatory bodies like the FDA affirm its safety, the public interest in cleaner labels and alternative sweeteners is high. Fortunately, the beverage industry has responded with numerous zero-sugar and diet options that use different sweetening agents.

Popular Aspartame-Free Sweeteners

If you're looking for a diet soda without aspartame, you'll likely encounter one of these common alternatives:

Stevia: A natural, plant-based sweetener derived from the Stevia rebaudiana plant, stevia is calorie-free and can be much sweeter than sugar. Its taste is unique and can have a slight aftertaste, which some brands mitigate by blending it with other sweeteners.
Monk Fruit: Also known as luo han guo, this natural fruit extract is another popular zero-calorie sweetener. It is very sweet and does not have the same aftertaste as stevia for many people, but it is often blended with erythritol to improve the flavor profile.
Sucralose (Splenda): This artificial sweetener is derived from sugar but is not metabolized by the body, so it contains no calories. It offers a taste profile very similar to sugar and is a common alternative to aspartame.
Erythritol: This is a sugar alcohol that occurs naturally in some fruits. It is used in many zero-calorie products and has a high digestive tolerance, meaning it is less likely to cause gas or bloating than other sugar alcohols.

Aspartame-Free Diet Soda Brands to Try

A variety of brands have entered the market to provide aspartame-free options. While some traditional diet sodas still use aspartame, others have created specific lines or formulations to appeal to this growing consumer base.

Zevia

Zevia is one of the most prominent brands dedicated to the aspartame-free market. The entire line of Zevia sodas is sweetened with stevia leaf extract and comes in a wide array of flavors, including traditional cola, root beer, and fruit flavors. They explicitly market themselves as zero-calorie, non-GMO, and without artificial sweeteners, dyes, or colors.

Diet Rite

This long-standing diet soda brand has been aspartame-free for years. Diet Rite products are typically sweetened with a combination of sucralose and acesulfame potassium (Ace-K). It provides a familiar, crisp taste without using aspartame, and offers a straightforward choice for those loyal to established soda flavors.

Olipop and Other Prebiotic Sodas

Brands like Olipop are a newer category of sodas that not only avoid aspartame but also focus on gut health by including prebiotic fibers. Olipop uses a blend of sweeteners, including stevia and monk fruit, and is often sweetened with fruit juice concentrates for added flavor. These drinks offer a modern take on soda with functional health benefits.

Green Cola

Marketed heavily on its stevia-sweetened formulation, Green Cola offers a more 'natural' alternative to traditional colas. It uses stevia and sometimes a small amount of sucralose, along with caffeine derived from green coffee beans, positioning it as a cleaner-label product.

Making the Best Choice for You

Choosing an aspartame-free diet soda depends on your personal preferences for taste and ingredients. If you prefer a natural, plant-based sweetener, options like Zevia or Olipop are excellent choices. If you prefer a taste closer to traditional diet soda and don't mind other artificial sweeteners, Diet Rite is a reliable brand. For those seeking functional benefits like gut health, prebiotic sodas are a good fit. Always read the ingredient labels, as some major beverage companies have experimented with aspartame-free products in the past that were later discontinued.

Comparison Table: Aspartame-Free Diet Sodas


Feature	Zevia	Diet Rite	Olipop	Green Cola
Primary Sweetener	Stevia Leaf Extract	Sucralose & Ace-K	Stevia & Monk Fruit	Stevia
Sweetener Type	Natural, Plant-Based	Artificial	Natural Blend	Natural & Artificial Blend
Zero Calorie?	Yes	Yes	Mostly Yes	Yes
Extra Benefits?	Non-GMO, No Artificial Colors	No	Prebiotic Fiber for Gut Health	From Green Coffee Beans
Taste Profile	Can have a noticeable stevia aftertaste	Classic diet soda taste	Complex, sometimes fruity	Classic cola flavor, often mild
Availability	Widely available online and in stores	Widely available in many regions	Health food stores, online	Health food stores, online

Making Your Own Aspartame-Free Soda

For complete control over ingredients, making your own soda is an easy solution. Simply mix sparkling or seltzer water with a few drops of a natural liquid sweetener, like stevia or monk fruit extract, and add natural flavorings. Extracts like cherry, lemon, or vanilla can be used, and a splash of fruit juice can enhance the flavor profile. This method offers the ultimate customization and freshness.

Conclusion: Finding the Right Aspartame-Free Fizz

To sum up, the answer to "Do they make diet soda without aspartame?" is a resounding yes. The market has expanded far beyond traditional diet beverages to include a wide array of options sweetened with everything from stevia and monk fruit to sucralose. Whether you prefer a popular brand like Diet Rite, a completely natural option like Zevia, or a functional soda like Olipop, there is an aspartame-free soda out there to suit your taste. For those who want full control, making a DIY version is simple and effective. With a little label-reading, you can find a delicious, bubbly beverage that aligns with your dietary preferences.

For more detailed information on specific sweeteners and their properties, consider visiting the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health's nutrition guide on low-calorie sweeteners.

Frequently Asked Questions

Zevia is one of the most widely available and popular aspartame-free diet sodas. It uses stevia leaf extract and comes in many flavors, including classic cola, ginger ale, and fruit varieties.

While many popular brands use aspartame, Diet Rite is a long-standing option that uses sucralose and acesulfame potassium instead. Coca-Cola's aspartame-free versions like 'Diet Coke with Splenda' have generally been discontinued.

Yes, stevia is a popular alternative derived from a plant. It is zero-calorie and natural, though some people notice a slight aftertaste. Brands often blend it with other sweeteners to improve the flavor.

The health benefits are widely debated, but natural sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit are often preferred by consumers seeking 'cleaner' ingredient labels. While regulatory bodies approve both natural and artificial options as safe, individual preferences and sensitivities vary.

Yes, a simple and customizable way to make your own diet soda is to combine sparkling or seltzer water with a few drops of liquid stevia or monk fruit extract, plus natural flavorings like fruit juice or flavored extracts.

Not always. Brands like Zevia use natural stevia and nothing else, while others like Diet Rite use a combination of sucralose and acesulfame potassium. It is crucial to check the ingredient label for the specific product you are considering.

Olipop and similar brands are aspartame-free sodas that use a blend of natural sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit and contain prebiotic fiber for gut health. They are often seen as a healthier, functional alternative to traditional diet sodas.