Energy Drinks Without Sucralose: What Energy Drink Doesn't Have Sucralose in It?

December 30, 2025 •

3 min read

According to a 2023 review in PMC, studies have shown that sucralose consumption can disrupt gut microbiota and alter metabolic pathways. For those concerned about artificial sweeteners, finding a suitable energy drink that relies on natural alternatives can be a challenge. This guide simplifies the process, highlighting brands and ingredients that offer a clean and effective energy boost without sucralose.

Quick Summary

This guide lists and compares various energy drink brands that do not contain sucralose, focusing on those using natural sweeteners like stevia, monk fruit, or real sugar. It covers specific product examples, highlights key ingredients, and discusses alternative energy sources for a healthier lift.

Key Points

Sucralose Concerns: Some consumers avoid sucralose due to its reported links to potential gut health issues, metabolic changes, and digestive problems.
Naturally Sweetened Brands: Brands like Zevia, CLEAN Cause, Celsius Stevia, and Proper Wild offer sucralose-free energy drink options, using alternative sweeteners like stevia or fruit juices.
Yerba Mate and Green Tea: Drinks and powders based on yerba mate and green tea, such as Guayaki and Riot, provide natural caffeine with fewer artificial additives.
DIY Alternatives: Making a homemade energy drink with a base of brewed tea, fresh fruit juice, and a natural sweetener like honey or stevia allows for complete ingredient control.
Read Labels Carefully: Always check the ingredient list, as even within a single brand, different product lines may use a variety of sweeteners, including sucralose.

Why Choose an Energy Drink Without Sucralose?

Sucralose, often marketed as Splenda, is a popular artificial sweetener used to reduce calories in many "sugar-free" and "diet" products. While approved as safe by regulatory bodies, a growing number of consumers are seeking alternatives due to reported concerns. Research has linked sucralose to potential negative effects on gut health, metabolism, and digestive function. For many, avoiding this artificial additive is a priority for a cleaner ingredient profile and better overall wellness.

Common Concerns Related to Sucralose

Gut Health Dysbiosis: Studies suggest sucralose can negatively impact the balance of beneficial bacteria in the gut.
Metabolic Changes: Some research indicates that sucralose may affect insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism, which could be a concern for those managing blood sugar.
Digestive Issues: Reported side effects from consuming sucralose have included bloating, gas, and digestive discomfort.

Brands That Offer Sucralose-Free Energy Drinks

Fortunately, the market has expanded to include many options for those who want to avoid sucralose. These products often use natural sweeteners or other methods to achieve their flavor profiles.

Zevia: This brand is well-known for its line of zero-calorie, zero-sugar beverages, including a popular energy drink. Zevia energy drinks are sweetened with stevia leaf extract and contain 120mg of natural caffeine from coffee beans.

CLEAN Cause: This brand focuses on organic sparkling yerba mate tea and offers both low-calorie and zero-calorie options. The zero-calorie varieties, such as Cherry Lime, are sweetened with stevia and are an excellent sucralose-free choice.

RIOT Clean Energy: Positioned as a "zero artificial anything" energy drink, RIOT uses real fruit for flavor and avoids sucralose entirely. It provides a natural energy boost with added L-theanine for sustained focus.

Guayaki Yerba Mate: As a pioneer in the yerba mate space, Guayaki offers unsweetened varieties that contain natural caffeine from the yerba mate plant. These are a great option for those who prefer an herbal energy source with no added sweeteners at all.

Celsius Stevia: While the original Celsius line uses sucralose, the brand has introduced a line of Celsius Stevia products. These variants are specifically formulated to be naturally sweetened with stevia and are a direct response to consumer demand for sucralose-free options.

Proper Wild Energy Shots: For a concentrated boost, these shots contain organic green tea and L-theanine and are flavored with fruit concentrates, without any artificial sweeteners.

Comparison Table: Sucralose-Free Energy Drinks


Feature	Zevia	CLEAN Cause	Riot Clean Energy	Guayaki Yerba Mate (Unsweetened)	Celsius Stevia
Sweetener	Stevia leaf extract	Stevia (for zero-calorie)	Real fruit	None / Naturally Occurring Sugar	Stevia
Caffeine Source	Coffee beans	Yerba mate	Green tea extract	Yerba mate	Green coffee beans
Caffeine (per can)	120mg (12oz)	160mg (16oz)	160mg (16oz)	140mg (16oz)	200mg (12oz)
Calories	Zero	Zero (zero-calorie varieties)	Low	5 (16oz)	Zero
Availability	Widely Available Online & in Stores	Widely Available Online & in Stores	Primarily Online & Health Food Stores	Widely Available Online & in Stores	Primarily Online & Specialty Retailers

Making Your Own Sucralose-Free Energy Drink

For those who prefer complete control over their ingredients, creating a homemade energy drink is a straightforward process. Not only does this eliminate all artificial additives, but it also allows for customization of flavor and caffeine levels. Many recipes are as simple as combining naturally caffeinated teas with fruits and natural sweeteners.

Ingredients for a simple, homemade version:

Base Liquid: Brewed and chilled green tea, yerba mate, or simply sparkling water.
Natural Sweetener: A small amount of honey, pure maple syrup, or stevia drops to taste.
Flavoring: Freshly squeezed fruit juice (lemon, lime, or orange), muddled berries, or a few sprigs of mint.
Extra Boost (Optional): Add a small amount of caffeine powder if a higher kick is needed, but be sure to measure accurately and carefully.

Conclusion

Avoiding sucralose in energy drinks is increasingly feasible thanks to a market shift toward cleaner and more natural ingredients. Whether you opt for a popular brand like Zevia or Celsius Stevia, a dedicated organic line like CLEAN Cause, or prefer to mix your own, you have numerous options for a sucralose-free energy boost. Brands sweetened with natural alternatives like stevia or fruit concentrate offer a cleaner profile for those mindful of their sweetener intake. As with any beverage, it's wise to read labels carefully, as formulations can change and some brands use a variety of sweetener combinations depending on the product line.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Celsius line of products labeled 'Celsius Stevia' or 'Naturally Sweetened with Stevia' do not contain sucralose. The original Celsius products, however, may still contain it, so it's important to check the label for the specific formulation.

No, Red Bull Sugarfree and other Red Bull Editions Sugarfree products are not sucralose-free. They are sweetened with a combination of sucralose and acesulfame potassium.

Stevia is a natural, zero-calorie sweetener derived from the stevia plant. High-purity stevia leaf extracts have been evaluated and deemed safe for consumption by major regulatory bodies, including the FDA.

No, many zero-sugar energy drinks use other sweeteners. While some use sucralose, brands like Zevia and CLEAN Cause offer zero-sugar options that use natural sweeteners such as stevia. Always read the ingredients list to be sure.

Yes, many energy drinks, particularly those focused on natural ingredients, use cane sugar or fruit juice concentrates for sweetness. However, these are not zero-calorie and can be higher in sugar content.

Other lesser-known options include Mati Sparkling Organic Energy (unsweetened) and certain flavors from brands like Guayaki Yerba Mate that use naturally occurring or minimal sweeteners. Health food stores often carry more specialty brands.

Some consumers report digestive issues or other sensitivities when consuming artificial sweeteners. By choosing a sucralose-free option, especially one with natural ingredients, some individuals may avoid these symptoms and feel they are making a cleaner, healthier choice.