Does Liquid Death Use Aspartame? The Full Breakdown
For consumers increasingly concerned about the ingredients in their food and drinks, understanding whether a product contains artificial sweeteners like aspartame is crucial. The simple and direct answer is that Liquid Death does not use aspartame in any of its products. The company has actively marketed this fact, particularly for its newer product lines, to appeal to a health-conscious audience looking to avoid artificial additives.
Sweeteners Used in Liquid Death Products
While the flagship Mountain Water and Sparkling Water products are, as expected, just water, the flavored varieties and iced teas incorporate different types of sweeteners. The choice of sweetener is dependent on the specific product line, offering consumers a range of options based on their preferences.
Here is a breakdown of the sweeteners and ingredients you can find in different Liquid Death beverage categories:
- Mountain Water & Sparkling Water: These products contain no added sweeteners whatsoever, natural or artificial. The ingredients are simply water and carbonation (for sparkling). This is the purest form of the brand's offerings.
- Flavored Sparkling Water: To achieve their bold flavor, these varieties are lightly sweetened with agave nectar and stevia leaf extract. Agave is a plant-derived sweetener, while stevia comes from the stevia plant, providing sweetness without artificial ingredients. They contain significantly less sugar than traditional sodas.
- Iced Tea: Similar to the flavored sparkling water, the iced teas are sweetened with agave nectar. They also contain other ingredients like natural flavors and vitamins B12 and B6. These are designed to have lower sugar content than many other canned iced teas.
- Energy Drinks: In an effort to provide a 'better-for-you' option, Liquid Death's upcoming energy drink line will contain a unique blend of stevia and allulose, but will also have no aspartame, sucralose, or erythritol. Allulose is a rare sugar that doesn't significantly affect blood sugar levels.
Why No Aspartame?
Liquid Death's decision to avoid artificial sweeteners like aspartame is a core part of its brand identity and marketing strategy. The company promotes itself as a natural, low-sugar, and low-calorie alternative to mainstream beverages that are often loaded with artificial ingredients. By using natural sweeteners such as agave and stevia, Liquid Death taps into the consumer trend of clean labeling and ingredient transparency. This approach aligns with a growing segment of the population that is skeptical of artificial additives and seeks more natural product formulations. The branding, with its edgy heavy metal aesthetic, creates a stark contrast with its clean ingredient list, which is part of its unique appeal.
How Liquid Death Sweeteners Compare to Other Brands
To better understand Liquid Death's position in the market, it is helpful to compare its sweetener choices to those of other popular beverage brands. This table highlights key differences in sweetener philosophies.
| Feature | Liquid Death (Flavored) | Diet Sodas (e.g., Diet Coke) | Zero-Sugar Energy Drinks (e.g., Monster Zero Ultra) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Sweetener(s) | Agave Nectar & Stevia Leaf Extract | Aspartame & Acesulfame Potassium | Sucralose & Erythritol |
| Artificial Sweeteners | No | Yes | Yes (Sucralose) |
| Sugar Content | Low (e.g., 2g per 12oz) | None | Low / None |
| Calories | Low (e.g., 10-20 per 12oz) | Zero | Low / Zero |
| Key Marketing Angle | Natural, low-sugar alternative | Calorie-free, classic taste | High energy, zero-calorie |
| Ingredient Transparency | High (clearly stated) | Standard, often generic labeling | Standard |
Customer Response to Liquid Death's Sweeteners
Public feedback on Liquid Death's choice of sweeteners has been mixed, but generally positive among its target audience. Many consumers appreciate the natural, low-sugar alternative to mainstream beverages. However, some have voiced dissatisfaction with the specific taste profile, particularly the use of stevia. Some customers note a slight aftertaste associated with stevia, suggesting they would prefer agave as the sole sweetener. Conversely, many others find the combination of agave and stevia provides a balanced sweetness that avoids the overpowering and sometimes metallic taste of traditional artificial sweeteners. The brand's focus on low sugar, rather than no sugar, is a key point of distinction that resonates with its consumer base.
Conclusion
To definitively answer the question, Liquid Death does not use aspartame in any of its beverage offerings, including its flavored waters, iced teas, and upcoming energy drinks. The company's commitment to avoiding artificial sweeteners is a cornerstone of its brand identity, catering to a market segment that values natural ingredients. By utilizing a combination of agave nectar and stevia in its sweetened products, Liquid Death offers a lower-sugar, low-calorie alternative to conventional sodas and artificially sweetened diet drinks. This transparent approach to ingredients is a key reason for the brand's rapid growth and consumer loyalty. For more details on the company's product philosophy, you can visit the official Liquid Death website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Liquid Death's water just plain water?
Yes, Liquid Death Mountain Water and Sparkling Mountain Water are just water, containing no sweeteners, preservatives, or additives.
What does Liquid Death use for a sweetener instead of aspartame?
For its flavored sparkling water and iced teas, Liquid Death uses agave nectar and stevia leaf extract as sweeteners.
Are Liquid Death's flavored sparkling waters sugar-free?
No, they are not entirely sugar-free, but they are very low in sugar, typically containing 2-4 grams of sugar per can, primarily from the agave nectar.
What sweeteners are in Liquid Death's new energy drink line?
The new energy drink line, launching in 2026, will be sweetened with a blend of stevia and allulose and will not contain aspartame, sucralose, or erythritol.
Do any Liquid Death products contain artificial sweeteners?
No, none of Liquid Death's current product lines contain artificial sweeteners, including aspartame, sucralose, or erythritol.
Is Liquid Death's Mountain Water flavored?
No, the Mountain Water is unflavored still water, while the Flavored Sparkling Water and Iced Tea products are the ones with added flavor and sweeteners.
How does Liquid Death ensure there are no artificial sweeteners?
The company formulates its products using naturally derived sweeteners like agave nectar and stevia and explicitly states on its packaging and website that its products are free of artificial sweeteners.
What is allulose and why is Liquid Death using it?
Allulose is a rare sugar that provides sweetness but is not metabolized by the body in the same way as regular sugar, meaning it has a minimal impact on blood sugar levels.
Do the iced teas from Liquid Death have artificial sweeteners?
No, the iced teas, like the flavored sparkling waters, are sweetened with agave nectar and contain no artificial sweeteners.
Why do some consumers report a different taste with Liquid Death's sweeteners?
The flavor profile of natural sweeteners like stevia can differ from artificial ones, sometimes leaving a slight aftertaste that some consumers notice. It's a common characteristic of such natural alternatives.
Key Takeaways
- No Aspartame: Liquid Death does not use aspartame in any of its product lines.
- Natural Sweeteners: Flavored products are sweetened with natural ingredients like agave nectar and stevia leaf extract.
- Low Sugar: Flavored sparkling waters contain significantly less sugar than traditional sodas.
- Clean Labeling: The company's brand identity revolves around avoiding artificial additives and being transparent about ingredients.
- Plain Water Option: The Mountain Water and Sparkling Water varieties are completely free of all sweeteners.
- Future Energy Drinks: The upcoming energy drink line will also be free of artificial sweeteners, using stevia and allulose.
Citations
- Morningstar: Liquid Death Announces Distribution Agreement with Big Geyser, mentions no aspartame, sucralose, or erythritol in the energy drink line. https://www.morningstar.com/news/business-wire/20251006216209/liquid-death-announces-distribution-agreement-with-big-geyser
- Liquid Death: Product page for Soda-Flavored Sparkling Water, states "No Artificial Sweeteners". https://liquiddeath.com/products/flavoredsparkling
- Liquid Death (FAQ): FAQ page mentioning ingredients and sweeteners used. https://liquiddeath.com/en-gh/pages/faq-eu
- Amazon.com: Product listing for Killer Cola sparkling water showing ingredients. https://www.amazon.com/Liquid-Death-Soda-Flavored-Artificial-Sweeteners/dp/B0DPXTPKJ7
- USA Today: Article announcing Liquid Death's energy drink line, specifying no aspartame. https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2025/07/17/liquid-death-energy-drink/85256643007/
- Wikipedia: Liquid Death page confirming launch of energy drinks and sweetener information. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquid_Death
- Nutritionix: Product details for Severed Lime sparkling water, listing ingredients. https://www.nutritionix.com/i/liquid-death/severed-lime-sparkling-water/642ea8061c48b00008370335
- Amazon.com (Review): Customer review commenting on the use of Stevia. https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/RQSMG4TVUUOSF
- Gerbes: Product page for Mango Chainsaw Sparkling Water, listing agave nectar. https://www.gerbes.com/p/liquid-death-mango-chainsaw-sparkling-water/0085003170004
