Is there a sugar version of Fresca? The surprising brand history

December 7, 2025 •

4 min read

First introduced in the United States in 1966, Fresca has always been marketed as a zero-calorie, sugar-free soda. However, the history of a sugar version of Fresca is not as straightforward, involving different markets and brand names under The Coca-Cola Company.

Quick Summary

Fresca, always zero-sugar in the U.S., had a sweetened variant launched as Citra in 1997 before evolving into Fanta Citrus. Learn about the brand's international sugared products like Quatro.

Key Points

No Sugar Fresca in the U.S.: The Fresca brand sold in the United States is strictly zero-sugar and sweetened with artificial sweeteners like aspartame.
Citra was a Sugared U.S. Version: A sugared version was launched as Citra in the U.S. in 1997, but this product was eventually absorbed into the Fanta line as Fanta Citrus.
International Sugared Versions Exist: In some international markets, like parts of Latin America, a sweetened version is sold under different names, such as Quatro.
Brand Identity is Market Specific: The difference in product offerings showcases The Coca-Cola Company's strategy of adapting a brand to meet distinct regional consumer tastes.
Alternatives to Sweetened Fresca: Sugared alternatives include Squirt and Jarritos, or homemade versions mixing grapefruit juice with sparkling water.
Fresca's Core has Remained Constant: Despite the variants, the main Fresca brand in the U.S. has maintained its zero-calorie, grapefruit-flavored profile since its introduction in 1966.

The Origins of a Zero-Calorie Sensation

Fresca, a brand owned by The Coca-Cola Company, made its debut in the U.S. in 1966 as a citrus-based, sugar-free soft drink designed for diet-conscious consumers. The name itself means "fresh" in Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian, emphasizing its crisp, clean, and refreshing taste. Throughout its history in the American market, the core Fresca brand has remained committed to its zero-calorie, zero-sugar formula, using artificial sweeteners like aspartame and acesulfame potassium to achieve its signature flavor. The perception of Fresca as a healthy or diet-friendly option has been a central part of its identity for decades.

The American Saga of Citra: A Sugared Fresca by Another Name

While Fresca itself has never contained sugar in the United States, The Coca-Cola Company did introduce a sweetened version for the U.S. market in 1997. This product was called Citra and was specifically developed in response to a demand from Latin American communities for the sugared Fresca available in their home countries. Citra was a success initially, but its branding journey did not end there. In a subsequent brand consolidation, Citra was eventually absorbed into the broader Fanta line, where it evolved into the Fanta Citrus flavor still sold today in areas with large Hispanic populations. So, for U.S. consumers, the closest thing to a sugar version of Fresca was Citra, which now exists under the Fanta umbrella.

The International Picture: Quatro and Beyond

Looking beyond the United States, the story of Fresca's sugared counterpart is different. The Coca-Cola Company has a history of marketing sweetened versions of the drink in various international markets. In countries like Colombia and Argentina, a sweetened, grapefruit-flavored soda called Quatro is sold. It uses Fresca's distinct colors and branding, making it a clear sugared version of Fresca in those regions. This regional variation highlights how a single company adapts its product strategy to meet local consumer preferences, even if it means altering a brand's core identity.

Comparison: Fresca vs. Its Sugared Counterparts


Feature	Fresca (U.S.)	Citra (now Fanta Citrus)	Quatro (International)
Sugar Content	Zero sugar	Contains sugar	Contains sugar
Sweeteners	Aspartame, Acesulfame Potassium	High fructose corn syrup	Sugar (varies by country)
Market	United States, Canada, etc.	United States (targeting specific demographics)	Colombia, Argentina, etc.
Brand Positioning	Diet/zero-calorie sparkling soda	Sweetened citrus soda	Sugared grapefruit soda
Current Status	Widely available	Rebranded as Fanta Citrus	Widely available in specific markets

Alternatives to Sugared Fresca

For those who prefer a sweetened, grapefruit-flavored soda but can no longer find Citra or its Fanta successor, several alternatives exist. You can create your own at home or explore other commercially available options:

Squirt: This is another popular grapefruit-flavored soft drink that contains sugar, providing a similar taste profile.
Jarritos: The Mexican soda brand offers a natural grapefruit flavor that is sweetened with sugar.
DIY Soda: Mix fresh grapefruit juice with sparkling water and add your desired sweetener, such as sugar, honey, or stevia, for a custom drink.
Kombucha: Certain kombucha flavors offer a tangy, fizzy experience that can satisfy a similar craving for a healthier alternative.
Naturally Flavored Sparkling Water: Brands like Spindrift use real fruit juice, offering a less sugary alternative to traditional sodas while still providing flavor.

How a Brand Adapts and Evolves

The brand history of Fresca and its sweetened counterparts is a fascinating case study in how global corporations manage brand identity and market products across different cultures. While Fresca is a no-compromise diet drink in the U.S., the company recognized an opportunity to cater to different tastes by introducing a sugared version in specific markets, both domestically and internationally. This strategic flexibility allowed them to capture different consumer segments without altering the core brand perception of Fresca for its loyal, diet-conscious American fanbase. The Citra experiment and the continued existence of Quatro are testaments to this adaptive marketing approach, showing that the answer to "Is there a sugar version of Fresca?" is more complex than a simple yes or no. For more details on the brand's history and ingredients, consult the official Coca-Cola company website.

Conclusion

In summary, while the Fresca brand is synonymous with a sugar-free formula in the American market, a sugared version has indeed existed under different brand names. The most prominent example for U.S. consumers was Citra, which has since been replaced by Fanta Citrus. In other parts of the world, like South America, a sugared version is still sold as Quatro. The divergence in products demonstrates a smart marketing strategy by The Coca-Cola Company to meet varied consumer preferences without undermining Fresca's established diet-soda identity in the United States. So, if you're searching for a sugared Fresca, you need to look for Citra's successor or seek out international variants.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, the Fresca brand itself has always been sugar-free in the U.S. However, a sweetened, grapefruit-flavored soda called Citra was introduced in 1997 by Coca-Cola, which was essentially a sugar version of Fresca for the American market.

Citra soda, originally launched as a sugared Fresca alternative, was later discontinued as a standalone product. Its flavor was integrated into The Coca-Cola Company's Fanta line, where it is now sold as Fanta Citrus in some regions.

Yes, in certain international markets, particularly in Latin America, a sugared version of Fresca exists. For example, in Colombia and Argentina, a product called Quatro is sold and uses Fresca's branding.

The classic Fresca in the U.S. is sweetened with a combination of artificial sweeteners, primarily aspartame and acesulfame potassium.

Fresca's primary flavor is a citrus blend, with a distinct grapefruit note that gives it its signature tangy and refreshing taste.

Some popular alternatives include Squirt and Jarritos grapefruit soda for a similar sugared taste. For a healthier option, you can mix real grapefruit juice with sparkling water.

Coca-Cola used separate branding to protect Fresca's established identity as a zero-calorie, diet soft drink for the U.S. market, while still capitalizing on the demand for a sweetened version in specific communities.