Understanding What Is the Sweetest Liquid Sweetener

November 19, 2025 •

4 min read

With some synthetic sweeteners reaching up to 20,000 times the sweetness of table sugar, determining what is the sweetest liquid sweetener depends on the desired type and application. While pure advantame is the sweetest known, liquid forms often rely on highly concentrated extracts like sucralose, stevia, or monk fruit to achieve potent, calorie-free sweetness.

Quick Summary

This article explores the most intensely sweet liquid sweeteners, comparing high-potency artificial options like sucralose and advantame with popular natural alternatives such as liquid stevia and monk fruit. It details their relative sweetness, taste profiles, applications, and suitability for various dietary needs, including keto.

Key Points

Advantame is Sweetest: The synthetic sweetener advantame is the most potent, being approximately 20,000 times sweeter than sugar, though it is primarily used in industrial food production and not typically sold as a pure liquid for home use.
Sucralose Offers High Sweetness and Stability: Liquid sucralose is a widely available, zero-calorie option that is about 600 times sweeter than sugar and is particularly heat-stable, making it ideal for baking.
Natural Options Include Stevia and Monk Fruit: Liquid stevia (200–400x sweeter than sugar) and liquid monk fruit (100–250x sweeter) are popular plant-based, zero-calorie choices for home use, often used in keto diets.
Aftertaste Varies: Some people notice a licorice-like aftertaste with stevia or a cooling sensation from erythritol blends, while sucralose and monk fruit typically offer a cleaner, more sugar-like flavor.
Agave is Sweet but Caloric: Agave nectar is sweeter than sugar but is still a calorie-containing sweetener high in fructose; it should not be considered a calorie-free alternative.
Keto Dieters Should Focus on Zero-Carb Options: For a ketogenic diet, liquid sweeteners like stevia, monk fruit, and sucralose are preferred, but it's important to check product labels for added sugar alcohols or fillers.

Ranking Sweetness: From Natural to Artificial

Sweetness is measured relative to sucrose (table sugar), which has a rating of 1. Many sweeteners are significantly more potent, particularly those produced artificially. However, for a liquid sweetener, the concentration and base liquid can alter its perceived potency. While honey is often cited as a sweeter-than-sugar natural option, it pales in comparison to modern, high-intensity extracts.

The Apex of Artificial Sweetness: Advantame and Neotame

In terms of sheer sweetness intensity, the top contenders are typically synthetic. Advantame, for example, is approximately 20,000 times sweeter than table sugar, and neotame registers at 7,000 to 13,000 times sweeter. These are not commonly available in pure liquid form for home use but are instead used by the food industry. Liquid sucralose, a more accessible option, is up to 600 times sweeter than sugar and is heat-stable, making it excellent for baking and beverages.

Popular Natural Liquid Sweeteners

For those who prefer natural options, two stand out for their high-intensity, zero-calorie profiles: liquid stevia and monk fruit extract.

Liquid Stevia: Derived from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant, liquid stevia is 200 to 400 times sweeter than sugar. Some purified extracts, like Rebaudioside A, have less of the licorice-like aftertaste often associated with stevia. It is a versatile, zero-carb, and calorie-free option, making it a popular choice for keto and low-carb diets.
Monk Fruit Extract (Luo Han Guo): Extracted from the monk fruit, this sweetener gets its intensity from compounds called mogrosides. It is 100 to 250 times sweeter than sugar and provides a clean, sugar-like sweetness with no calories or carbs. Monk fruit extract is also heat-stable, but can be more expensive due to sourcing.

Liquid Sweetener Comparison Table


Sweetener	Sweetness (vs. Sugar)	Calories (per serving)	Best for	Taste Profile	Noteworthy
Advantame	~20,000x	0	Industrial Food Production	Clean, intense sweetness	Used industrially; not home-use liquid.
Neotame	7,000–13,000x	0	Industrial Food Production	Clean, intense sweetness	Also primarily industrial.
Sucralose (Liquid)	~600x	0	Baking, Beverages, General	Very sugar-like, no aftertaste	Heat-stable, available in liquid drops.
Stevia (Liquid)	200–400x	0	Coffee, Tea, Smoothies	Very sweet, can have licorice-like aftertaste	Highly concentrated, keto-friendly.
Monk Fruit (Liquid)	100–250x	0	Baking, Smoothies, Beverages	Clean, fruit-like sweetness	More expensive, often blended with erythritol.
Agave Nectar	1.4–1.6x	21 (per tsp)	Cocktails, Smoothies	Mild, caramel-like	High in fructose, but lower GI than sugar.
Honey	Slightly sweeter (by weight)	64 (per tbsp)	Tea, Baking, Sauces	Floral, varies by type.	Contains antioxidants, not vegan.

Choosing the Right Liquid Sweetener

Selecting the best liquid sweetener involves considering your health goals, culinary needs, and taste preferences. The most potent option, advantame, is typically not a consumer product, shifting the focus to readily available alternatives.

For Calorie and Carb Control (Keto Diet)

For strict calorie or carb control, zero-calorie options like liquid stevia and monk fruit are ideal. Both are heat-stable and can be used in baking and drinks, but they have different taste profiles. Stevia has a distinct, sometimes bitter, aftertaste, while monk fruit is generally cleaner. Many commercial liquid products blend these with sugar alcohols like erythritol, which should be considered for potential digestive side effects. Liquid sucralose is another excellent zero-calorie, zero-carb choice with a taste closer to sugar.

For Baking and Cooking

Heat stability is crucial for baking. Liquid sucralose is known for its stability at high temperatures, making it a reliable option. Liquid stevia and monk fruit are also heat-stable but require careful measurement due to their potency. Traditional caloric sweeteners like honey and maple syrup caramelize and add moisture, which can change a baked good's texture. It's essential to adjust liquid amounts in recipes when substituting high-potency sweeteners.

For Natural and Vegan Options

Vegans must avoid honey, while agave nectar is a popular vegan alternative. However, be aware that agave is high in fructose, and is still a calorie-containing sugar. For zero-calorie, natural options, both liquid stevia and monk fruit are derived from plants and are excellent choices. When selecting, read labels carefully to avoid blends that include unnecessary fillers or other sweeteners. For more information on food additives, the FDA provides a useful database on its website.(https://www.fda.gov/food/food-additives-petitions/aspartame-and-other-sweeteners-food)

Conclusion

While the title of sweetest liquid sweetener technically belongs to the industrially-used advantame, the most practical and intensely sweet options available to consumers are high-potency, non-caloric extracts like liquid sucralose, stevia, and monk fruit. Your ideal choice depends on taste preference, dietary goals (like keto), and whether you prioritize zero calories or natural ingredients. Regardless of the choice, these highly concentrated liquids offer powerful sweetening with minimal volume, making them versatile tools for controlling sugar intake in various culinary applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

For consumer use, liquid sucralose is one of the most intensely sweet options, at approximately 600 times sweeter than table sugar. It is also highly stable, making it versatile for various applications.

Among natural options, liquid stevia extract is generally considered the sweetest, at 200 to 400 times the sweetness of sugar. Liquid monk fruit is also a very potent natural alternative, ranging from 100 to 250 times sweeter.

Liquid sucralose is an excellent choice for baking because it is heat-stable and provides intense, consistent sweetness. Liquid stevia and monk fruit are also heat-stable, but their high potency means you must adjust recipes carefully to avoid an overpowering flavor.

No, agave nectar is not the sweetest. It is sweeter than table sugar (about 1.4–1.6 times), but its intensity is far lower than that of high-potency sweeteners like sucralose, stevia, or monk fruit.

For a keto diet, liquid stevia and monk fruit extract are among the best options because they are zero-calorie and contain no carbs. Liquid sucralose is also keto-friendly and provides intense sweetness without impacting blood sugar.

Aftertaste varies between sweeteners. Some people report a licorice-like or metallic aftertaste with liquid stevia, while monk fruit and sucralose are generally known for a cleaner, more sugar-like flavor. Product purity and formulation can also affect the taste.

No, honey is not a high-intensity sweetener. While it is sweeter by weight than table sugar, it contains calories and is significantly less potent than sweeteners like stevia, monk fruit, and sucralose.