How much sugar is in Lipton iced tea?

December 1, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sugary drinks are the leading source of added sugars in the American diet, and Lipton iced tea's sugar content varies significantly by product and flavor. Understanding exactly how much sugar is in Lipton iced tea is crucial for managing your daily intake and making informed health decisions.

Quick Summary

Different Lipton iced tea products contain varying amounts of sugar, ranging from high-sugar traditional varieties to zero-sugar options. The sugar content depends on the specific flavor, product line, and serving size, which is vital for consumers to review on the nutritional label.

Key Points

Significant Variation: The sugar content in Lipton iced tea is not uniform and differs dramatically between sweetened and zero-sugar product lines.
High Sugar in Sweetened Versions: Standard ready-to-drink bottles of popular flavors like Lemon or Brisk can contain high amounts of added sugar, sometimes reaching 25-32 grams per bottle.
Zero-Sugar Alternatives: Lipton offers products labeled "Diet" or "Zero Sugar" that use non-nutritive sweeteners like sucralose and acesulfame potassium, containing 0 grams of sugar.
Health Risks: High sugar consumption from beverages is linked to increased risk of weight gain, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.
Check Labels: Consumers should always check the nutritional facts on individual products, paying close attention to both "Total Sugars" and "Added Sugars".
Home Brewing for Control: Brewing your own iced tea from Lipton tea bags allows for complete control over the amount and type of sweetener used.

Understanding Sugar Content in Lipton Iced Tea

Lipton offers a wide range of iced tea products, from ready-to-drink bottles and cans to concentrated mixes. The sugar content can differ dramatically between these product lines, with some traditional recipes containing high amounts of added sugar, while others, labeled "Diet" or "Zero Sugar," contain no sugar at all. Consumers must check the specific nutritional label of the product they are purchasing, as the brand's offerings are not uniform.

Breakdown of Popular Lipton Iced Tea Products

For ready-to-drink options, a standard 16.9 fl oz bottle of Lipton Lemon Iced Tea contains 25 grams of total sugars, with 24 grams being added sugars. This is nearly 50% of the daily value for added sugars based on a 2,000-calorie diet. For comparison, a Lipton Peach Iced Tea (likely a 500ml European version) is reported to contain approximately 11 grams of sugars per 250ml serving. Another popular variation, Lipton Brisk Lemon Iced Tea, contains 32 grams of sugar in a 12 fl oz can.

Ready-to-drink bottles: Check for the total sugars and added sugars, as these vary by size and flavor. The standard sweetened varieties often contain significant amounts of added sugar per bottle.
Tea mixes: The amount of sugar can be lower per serving but is dependent on preparation. For example, a Lipton Lemon Iced Tea Mix with 25% less sugar contains 18g of sugar per serving, down from the 24g in their regular mix.
Zero Sugar/Diet options: These alternatives use non-nutritive sweeteners like acesulfame potassium and sucralose instead of sugar, resulting in 0 grams of sugar and calories.

The Impact of High Sugar Consumption

Consuming high levels of sugar, especially from beverages, is associated with several health risks. The CDC highlights that regular intake of sugary drinks can increase the risk of serious health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, weight gain, and tooth decay. Liquid calories from sugary beverages don't provide the same feeling of fullness as solid food, which can lead to overconsumption of calories. Switching to unsweetened or zero-sugar alternatives can help reduce these risks. For more information, the health effects of sugar-sweetened beverages are extensively documented by reliable health organizations like the CDC and the research published in reputable journals like Nature.

Comparison Table: Lipton Iced Tea Sugar Content


Lipton Product (Serving Size)	Total Sugars	Added Sugars	Calories	Notes
Lipton Iced Tea Lemon (16.9 fl oz)	25 g	24 g	100	High in added sugars, nearly 50% DV
Lipton Peach Ice Tea (250 ml)	11 g	N/A	48	Based on a European version, contains less sugar per volume
Lipton Brisk Lemon Iced Tea (12 fl oz)	32 g	N/A	128	Significant amount of sugar in a smaller can
Lipton Diet Lemon Iced Tea Mix (per serving)	0 g	0 g	0	Contains artificial sweeteners like aspartame
Lipton Iced Tea Mix Reduced Sugar Lemon (per serving)	18 g	18 g	N/A	25% less sugar than regular mix
Pure Leaf Zero Sugar Sweet Tea (per serving)	0 g	0 g	N/A	Uses acesulfame potassium and sucralose

Healthier Alternatives and Considerations

For those looking to reduce their sugar intake, Lipton offers several options. Their "Zero Sugar" line of ready-to-drink teas and diet mixes are made with non-nutritive sweeteners, providing a sweet flavor without the added calories or sugar. Brewing your own iced tea at home using Lipton tea bags is another excellent strategy. You can control the amount of sweetener, if any, and choose natural alternatives like honey or stevia in moderation, or skip sweeteners altogether for a completely sugar-free beverage.

Tips for Reducing Sugar from Beverages

Transition gradually: If you're used to very sweet tea, gradually reduce the amount of sweetener over time to acclimate your taste buds to less sugar.
Infuse with fruit: Add natural sweetness and flavor by infusing your brewed tea with fruits like lemon, berries, or mint.
Choose unsweetened versions: Lipton offers unsweetened varieties, and products like Pure Leaf Real Brewed Tea also come in zero-sugar options.
Pay attention to serving sizes: When checking nutrition labels, be aware of the serving size. Some bottles contain multiple servings, meaning you might consume significantly more sugar than you realize if you drink the entire bottle.

Conclusion: Making an Informed Choice

In conclusion, the amount of sugar in Lipton iced tea is not a single, fixed number but varies significantly across its product range. While traditional and popular flavors can contain high levels of added sugar, Lipton also provides zero-sugar and reduced-sugar options for health-conscious consumers. By checking nutritional labels and opting for healthier alternatives like unsweetened home-brewed tea, individuals can enjoy a refreshing beverage while effectively managing their daily sugar intake. The health risks associated with excessive sugar consumption, including a higher risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease, underscore the importance of being aware of the nutritional content of the beverages we consume. Making a simple switch to a zero-sugar option or brewing your own tea can be a significant step toward a healthier lifestyle.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, many of Lipton's traditional ready-to-drink iced tea products and mixes are sweetened with real sugar or high-fructose corn syrup. However, their 'Diet' and 'Zero Sugar' product lines use artificial, non-nutritive sweeteners instead.

While some Lipton iced teas may have slightly fewer calories than some full-calorie sodas, many still contain a high amount of added sugar. In terms of sugar content and health impact, it's often similar to drinking soda, which is why zero-sugar options are a better choice.

Lipton's Diet and Zero Sugar iced teas contain 0 grams of sugar and are sweetened with non-nutritive sweeteners like aspartame, acesulfame potassium, and sucralose.

Yes, Lipton offers unsweetened iced tea, particularly through their tea bags, which allows consumers to brew tea at home and control the level of sweetness themselves. Pure Leaf, also owned by PepsiCo, offers zero-sugar and unsweetened real brewed tea options.

Total sugars include all sugar present in the product, whether natural or added. Added sugars are those explicitly put into the product during processing and do not include naturally occurring sugars, such as those from juice concentrate.

Brisk Iced Tea, which is part of the Lipton family of brands, generally contains a higher amount of sugar per serving than a standard bottle of Lipton Lemon Iced Tea. For example, a 12 fl oz can of Brisk Lemon contains 32g of sugar, compared to 25g in a 16.9 fl oz bottle of standard Lipton Lemon Iced Tea.

The U.S. Dietary Guidelines recommend that adults and children over two limit added sugar to less than 10 percent of their total daily calories. For an adult on a 2,000-calorie diet, this equates to 50 grams or about 12.5 teaspoons of added sugar per day.