Does McDonald's Have Zero Sugar Drinks? A Full Guide to Your Options

November 28, 2025 •

4 min read

As of a 2023 announcement, McDonald's UK began switching certain drinks to no-added-sugar alternatives, reflecting a global shift toward healthier beverage options. This change, along with existing offerings, raises the question: does McDonald's have zero sugar drinks? The answer is a clear yes, with several choices available to customers.

Quick Summary

Yes, McDonald's offers multiple zero sugar drink options, including well-known sodas like Coca-Cola Zero Sugar and Diet Coke, as well as unsweetened iced tea and select sugar-free McCafé beverages.

Key Points

Sodas: McDonald's offers several zero-sugar carbonated drinks, including Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Diet Coke, and Sprite Zero.
Unsweetened Tea: Unsweetened iced tea is a naturally zero-calorie and zero-sugar option, but you must specify "unsweetened" when ordering.
Customizable Coffee: The McCafé menu includes black coffee and customizable iced coffees that can be made with sugar-free French vanilla syrup.
Ingredient Awareness: Be mindful that drinks using sugar-free syrup may still contain calories and fat from dairy additions like cream or milk.
Regional Variations: Specialty zero-sugar options, such as frozen drinks, can vary by country and region, so always check the local menu.
Artificial Sweeteners: Zero-sugar sodas at McDonald's are typically sweetened with aspartame, acesulfame potassium, and sometimes sucralose.

Your Zero Sugar Beverage Options at McDonald's

For customers seeking to reduce their sugar and calorie intake, McDonald's provides a growing selection of zero sugar and low-calorie beverages. These options go beyond just Diet Coke and are readily available across most U.S. and international locations, though regional differences do exist.

Carbonated Zero Sugar Drinks

Coca-Cola Zero Sugar: This is a top choice for many. It delivers the classic taste of Coca-Cola without the sugar or calories. It is sweetened with a blend of artificial sweeteners, primarily aspartame and acesulfame potassium, giving it a taste profile that is often closer to regular Coke than Diet Coke's is.
Diet Coke: The original zero-calorie cola at McDonald's. Its distinct flavor is often described as lighter and different from the standard Coca-Cola. It is also sweetened with aspartame, providing a crisp, sugar-free experience for those who prefer its specific taste.
Sprite Zero: Enjoy the refreshing, lemon-lime flavor of Sprite without the sugar. Sprite Zero provides a crisp and clean taste with zero calories. It’s a great fizzy alternative for those who don’t want a cola.

Non-Carbonated Zero Sugar Options

Beyond sodas, McDonald's also offers several still beverages that are naturally zero-calorie and sugar-free, provided you order them correctly.

Unsweetened Iced Tea: This is a perfect, naturally sugar-free option. It features a brisk blend of orange pekoe black tea and is served fresh and cold. Crucially, you must specify "unsweetened" when ordering to ensure no sweetener is added.
Black Coffee: Whether hot or iced, a standard black coffee has zero sugar and virtually zero calories. This is an excellent choice for a caffeine boost without any added sweeteners.

McCafé Zero Sugar Beverages

McDonald's McCafé line also caters to those avoiding sugar, particularly in its coffee selections. Many of these drinks can be customized to be sugar-free.

Iced Sugar-Free French Vanilla Coffee: This popular iced beverage uses a sugar-free French vanilla syrup to provide flavor without added sugar. Note that this drink is typically made with light cream, which does add some calories and fat, though no sugar is added. For a truly zero-calorie option, order it black with the sugar-free syrup.
Iced Sugar-Free French Vanilla Latte: Similar to the iced coffee, this latte can be customized with sugar-free vanilla syrup. The base is made with milk, so it will contain natural sugars from the milk itself. Ensure you request the sugar-free syrup specifically.

Comparing McDonald's Zero Sugar Drink Options


Drink Option	Calories (Small)	Key Sweetener(s)	Caffeine	Flavor Profile	Notes
Coca-Cola Zero Sugar	0	Aspartame, Acesulfame K	Moderate	Classic Cola	Closest taste to regular Coke.
Diet Coke	0	Aspartame	Moderate	Lighter Cola	Distinctive crisp taste.
Sprite Zero	0	Aspartame, Acesulfame K	None	Lemon-Lime	Fizzy and refreshing.
Unsweetened Iced Tea	0	None (Specify "Unsweetened")	Yes	Brisk Black Tea	Natural, zero-calorie option.
Black Coffee	0	None	Yes	Bold Coffee	Hot or iced, purest form.
Iced SF French Vanilla Coffee	~90*	SF French Vanilla Syrup	Yes	Vanilla	Request black for 0 added sugar.

Note: Calorie count for Iced SF French Vanilla Coffee includes light cream. The calorie count without cream is negligible.

Important Considerations for Zero Sugar Ordering

Specify "Unsweetened": For iced tea and hot coffee, be explicit with your order. Baristas will often add liquid sugar by default, so requesting it unsweetened is crucial.
Check Regional Menus: While standard zero-sugar sodas are widely available, some specialty zero-sugar drinks like the frozen options found in New Zealand are not available in all markets. Checking the local menu or asking at the counter is the best way to confirm.
Read the Nutrition Information: Even with sugar-free labels, it is wise to be aware of the full nutritional profile. Drinks like the McCafé zero-sugar options can contain calories and fat from added cream or milk. Always review the nutrition facts on the McDonald's website or app.
Listen to Your Body: Artificial sweeteners are generally considered safe in moderation, but some individuals may have sensitivities. Being mindful of how your body reacts is always a good practice.

Conclusion

Does McDonald's have zero sugar drinks? The answer is a resounding yes, and your options extend far beyond just Diet Coke. From a variety of carbonated sodas like Coke Zero Sugar and Sprite Zero to non-carbonated choices like unsweetened iced tea and customizable McCafé items, McDonald's has embraced the demand for lower-sugar offerings. By being clear with your order, especially for coffee and tea, you can easily find a refreshing, zero-sugar beverage that fits your dietary needs and preferences.

For more detailed nutritional information, you can always visit the official McDonald's website for your specific country, which often includes a nutritional calculator and full ingredient lists.

Frequently Asked Questions

McDonald's offers Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Diet Coke, Sprite Zero, unsweetened iced tea, and customizable McCafé iced coffee and lattes with sugar-free syrup options.

Yes, Diet Coke is a zero-calorie, zero-sugar beverage, and at McDonald's, it is sweetened with aspartame, just like the standard version.

For the most part, yes. Carbonated sodas like Coke Zero and Sprite Zero are zero calorie. However, certain McCafé drinks made with sugar-free syrups and milk or cream will have calories from those dairy additions.

Yes, it is crucial to specify "unsweetened" when ordering iced tea. Standard iced tea may come with added liquid sugar by default.

Availability of zero-sugar frozen drinks varies by region. Some markets have offered limited-time options like Frozen Coke Zero Sugar, but you should check the local menu for current availability.

McDonald's zero-sugar drinks, such as Coke Zero Sugar and Diet Coke, are typically sweetened with a combination of artificial sweeteners, including aspartame, acesulfame potassium, and sometimes sucralose.

Yes. To get a truly low-calorie iced coffee, order it black with sugar-free syrup. Ordering it with cream or milk, even with sugar-free syrup, will add calories and fat.