Does Pepsi Contain Any Water? The Simple Answer

December 18, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), a regular cola is about 93 percent water by volume, meaning the answer to whether or not Pepsi contains any water is a definitive yes. In fact, water is the primary ingredient in Pepsi, a fundamental component that allows the beverage to be produced and provides its liquid form.

Quick Summary

Water is the main ingredient in Pepsi, making up the vast majority of the beverage's volume. It is combined with other ingredients like high-fructose corn syrup, natural flavors, and carbon dioxide to create the final product. The process begins with purifying the water to ensure consistency and quality.

Key Points

Primary Ingredient: Water is the main component of Pepsi, just as it is for most soft drinks.
Carbonated Form: The water in Pepsi is carbonated, meaning it has carbon dioxide dissolved in it under pressure to create the fizz.
Purification Process: Before use, the water is rigorously purified through methods like reverse osmosis to ensure a clean, consistent flavor.
Hydration Limitations: While mostly water, Pepsi is not an ideal source of hydration due to its high sugar content and other additives.
Essential for Production: The high quality and consistency of the water are critical for creating a uniform product taste across different batches.
Part of a Complex Formula: Water serves as the solvent for a precise blend of sugars, acids, and natural flavorings that define the Pepsi taste.

Water Is the Primary Ingredient in Pepsi

Yes, Pepsi contains water. As the foundation of any soft drink, water constitutes the highest percentage of the beverage's volume. The specific type used is carbonated water, which is created by dissolving carbon dioxide gas under pressure into purified water. This process is what gives Pepsi its characteristic fizz and refreshing taste.

The Importance of Water in Soft Drink Production

In the industrial manufacturing of soft drinks, the water's quality is paramount. It must be exceptionally pure and consistent to ensure that the final product's flavor profile remains uniform across different batches and locations. PepsiCo, like other beverage companies, employs rigorous filtration and purification processes, such as reverse osmosis, to achieve this high standard. This ensures that no impurities from the municipal water source affect the taste or quality of the final product.

The Complete Pepsi Ingredient List

While water is the base, it is combined with a precise blend of other ingredients to create the distinct Pepsi flavor. The formula can have slight variations depending on the country, but the core components remain similar.

Core Ingredients in Pepsi:

Carbonated Water: The main ingredient that provides the liquid base and effervescence.
High Fructose Corn Syrup and/or Sugar: Sweeteners that give Pepsi its sweet taste. The specific type can vary by region.
Caramel Color: A coloring agent used to give Pepsi its brown hue.
Phosphoric Acid: An acid used to provide a tartness and help preserve the beverage.
Natural Flavors: A secret blend of flavorings that creates the unique taste.
Caffeine: A stimulant added to the beverage.

Comparison: Pepsi vs. Other Beverages

To understand Pepsi's composition, it's helpful to compare it with other common drinks. The main difference lies in the additives rather than the presence of water.


Feature	Pepsi (Classic)	Diet Pepsi	Plain Carbonated Water	Tap Water
Water Base?	Yes, carbonated water.	Yes, carbonated water.	Yes, plain water.	Yes, plain water.
Sweeteners?	High-fructose corn syrup and/or sugar.	Artificial sweeteners (e.g., Aspartame, Sucralose).	No sweeteners added.	No sweeteners added.
Calories?	Contains calories from sugar.	Calorie-free.	Calorie-free.	Calorie-free.
Additives?	Caramel color, phosphoric acid, caffeine.	Caramel color, phosphoric acid, caffeine.	Sometimes trace minerals added for taste.	Typically treated with chlorine or fluoride.
Primary Function?	Sweetened, flavored soda.	Sweetened, diet soda.	Calorie-free, flavored alternative.	Basic hydration.

The Journey from Water to Pepsi

Making Pepsi is a multi-step, highly controlled process, where water is the starting point.

Water Treatment: Water is purified using processes like reverse osmosis to remove impurities and create a consistent base.
Syrup Preparation: A concentrated syrup is created by blending the high-fructose corn syrup, flavors, and other additives.
Mixing: The treated water is mixed with the concentrate in precise proportions.
Carbonation: Carbon dioxide gas is dissolved into the cold liquid under high pressure. Colder temperatures and higher pressure allow for more carbonation, resulting in more fizz.
Packaging: The finished, carbonated beverage is then filled into bottles and cans on an automated assembly line.
Quality Control: At every stage, quality checks are performed to ensure consistency and safety, measuring factors like carbonation levels and sugar content.

Is Soda Hydrating? The Role of Water Content

Since Pepsi is mostly water, it technically contributes to your daily fluid intake. However, it should not be considered a primary source of hydration. The high sugar content in regular Pepsi and the additives in both regular and diet versions make it a less healthy choice compared to plain water. The caffeine in some Pepsi products can also have a mild diuretic effect, though this is considered minor. For optimal health and hydration, beverages with fewer added ingredients, like plain water, remain the superior choice.

Conclusion: Water is the Foundation of Pepsi

To put it simply, not only does Pepsi contain water, but water is its single most significant ingredient. It's the starting point for production, the base for the secret flavor formula, and the reason the beverage is a liquid. While the iconic taste is built upon the addition of sweeteners, acids, and flavors, it is the carbonated water that gives Pepsi its fundamental identity as a fizzy soft drink. Understanding this provides clarity on what you're consuming with every sip.

The Coca-Cola Company also explains that carbonated water is the main ingredient in their cola products, affirming this industry-wide practice.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary ingredient in Pepsi is carbonated water, which provides the liquid base and the signature fizz.

The water used in Pepsi undergoes extensive purification processes, such as reverse osmosis and filtration, to ensure it is clean and has a consistent taste.

Water is carbonated by dissolving carbon dioxide gas into it under high pressure and at cold temperatures. This process is carefully controlled to achieve the desired level of effervescence.

Yes, Diet Pepsi also contains carbonated water as its main ingredient. The primary difference is the use of artificial sweeteners instead of sugar.

While Pepsi's high water content does contribute to your fluid intake, it is not an ideal hydrating beverage due to its high sugar content. Plain water is a much better choice.

The core ingredients are largely the same, but the specific formula can have slight variations in different countries to comply with local regulations and taste preferences.

Besides carbonated water, the main ingredients in classic Pepsi include high-fructose corn syrup, caramel color, phosphoric acid, natural flavors, and caffeine.