Exploring What Are the Ingredients in Pepsi Free and Its Modern Successors

December 1, 2025 •

3 min read

Originally launched by PepsiCo in 1982, Pepsi Free was later rebranded as Caffeine-Free Pepsi and has since undergone formulation changes. Understanding the ingredients in Pepsi Free requires looking back at its initial recipe and comparing it to the ingredients used in today's modern, caffeine-free alternatives.

Quick Summary

A comprehensive look at the original Pepsi Free and its modern successors, detailing the ingredients for both the sugar-based and diet caffeine-free versions of the cola.

Key Points

Original Formula: Pepsi Free, launched in 1982, was a caffeine-free version of standard Pepsi, using sugar as its primary sweetener.
Modern Equivalent: Today, the same product is called Caffeine-Free Pepsi and typically uses High Fructose Corn Syrup in its main formulation.
Diet Version: The Diet Pepsi Free variant was also introduced in 1982 and is now known as Caffeine-Free Diet Pepsi.
Artificial Sweeteners: Modern Caffeine-Free Diet Pepsi uses artificial sweeteners, specifically Aspartame and Acesulfame Potassium, for a zero-calorie formulation.
No Caffeine: Both the regular and diet versions of the modern caffeine-free cola intentionally exclude caffeine, as indicated by their names.
Common Ingredients: All versions of the cola share basic ingredients like carbonated water, caramel color, and phosphoric acid.
Sweetener Shift: The diet version saw a transition from older sweeteners like saccharin to the current blend of aspartame and acesulfame potassium.

The History and Evolution of Pepsi Free

Pepsi Free first hit the market in 1982 as a response to consumer demand for caffeine-free alternatives to popular sodas. This launch was a significant moment for PepsiCo, positioning the product as the first major brand caffeine-free cola in the United States. The name "Pepsi Free" was eventually phased out in 1987 and rebranded to the more descriptive "Caffeine-Free Pepsi" to eliminate consumer confusion (a moment famously parodied in the film Back to the Future). To understand the classic taste, one must examine the different formulations that have existed over time.

The Original Pepsi Free Ingredients (1982-1987)

The original version of Pepsi Free was essentially a caffeine-free version of the standard Pepsi cola of its time. While precise historical ingredients for the sugar-based version are rare, contemporary analysis of regular Pepsi offers a strong indication of what was likely used. The formula would have been based on sugar as the primary sweetener, along with other essential components.

Carbonated Water
Sugar
Caramel Color
Phosphoric Acid
Natural Flavor
Citric Acid

Ingredients in Modern Caffeine-Free Pepsi

Today's Caffeine-Free Pepsi is formulated to match the current taste profile of regular Pepsi but without the stimulant. The key difference from its 1980s predecessor is the shift from pure sugar to High Fructose Corn Syrup as the sweetener in the American market.

Carbonated Water: The foundational ingredient, providing the drink's signature fizz and texture.
High Fructose Corn Syrup: The primary sweetener used in many contemporary sodas.
Caramel Color: Provides the characteristic dark brown color of cola.
Sugar: Often included in addition to HFCS in some formulations.
Phosphoric Acid: Contributes to the cola's tangy flavor and acts as a preservative.
Citric Acid: A flavor enhancer that adds a sharp, acidic note.
Natural Flavor: The proprietary blend of ingredients that gives Pepsi its unique taste.

The Diet Pepsi Free Transition

Along with the sugar-sweetened version, PepsiCo also introduced a sugar-free variant, originally called Diet Pepsi Free. Like its regular counterpart, this product was later renamed to Caffeine-Free Diet Pepsi. Early versions of diet sodas sometimes used saccharin as a sweetener, but this was later replaced by aspartame and acesulfame potassium in most modern diet cola formulations.

Ingredients in Modern Caffeine-Free Diet Pepsi

For those seeking a zero-calorie, caffeine-free option, the current Caffeine-Free Diet Pepsi is the product to reach for. The ingredient list reflects the use of modern artificial sweeteners and preservatives.

Carbonated Water: The base of the beverage.
Caramel Color: Provides the dark color.
Aspartame: A low-calorie sweetener used extensively in diet sodas.
Phosphoric Acid: For tartness and preservation.
Potassium Benzoate: A preservative used to maintain freshness.
Citric Acid: Flavor enhancer.
Natural Flavor: The specific flavoring blend.
Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K): Another artificial sweetener often paired with aspartame to create a sugar-like sweetness profile.

It is important to note that products containing aspartame must include a warning for individuals with the rare genetic disorder phenylketonuria (PKU), stating that it "Contains a Source of Phenylalanine".

Comparison of Pepsi Free Formulations

To highlight the changes over the years, a side-by-side comparison of the ingredients is helpful. The table below outlines the key differences between the original and modern caffeine-free colas.


Ingredient	Original Pepsi Free (1980s)	Modern Caffeine-Free Pepsi	Modern Caffeine-Free Diet Pepsi
Sweetener	Sugar	High Fructose Corn Syrup, Sugar	Aspartame, Acesulfame K
Calories	Full-calorie	Full-calorie	Zero-calorie
Caffeine	None	None	None
Preservative	Not typically specified in detail	Potassium Benzoate (often with Citric Acid)	Potassium Benzoate
Flavor	Natural Flavor	Natural Flavor	Natural Flavor
Coloring	Caramel Color	Caramel Color	Caramel Color

Conclusion: The Evolving Ingredients in Pepsi Free

In summary, the ingredients in Pepsi Free have evolved from a simple sugar-based, caffeine-free cola to a more complex, modern lineup that includes both full-sugar (high-fructose corn syrup) and zero-calorie (artificial sweetener) versions. The rebrand from Pepsi Free to Caffeine-Free Pepsi successfully clarified the product's identity, while the formulation changes reflect shifts in ingredient sourcing and consumer health trends. Whether one prefers the sweetness of high fructose corn syrup or the zero-calorie nature of aspartame and acesulfame potassium, the modern caffeine-free options offer a clear choice. To learn more about the broader history of the brand, visit the Pepsi Wikipedia page.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, the product known as Pepsi Free was rebranded to Caffeine-Free Pepsi in 1987. Modern-day consumers can find both regular and diet versions of Caffeine-Free Pepsi.

The modern Caffeine-Free Diet Pepsi contains the artificial sweeteners Aspartame and Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K) to achieve its sweet, zero-calorie taste.

The regular version of Caffeine-Free Pepsi, available in the American market, uses a combination of High Fructose Corn Syrup and sugar as its primary sweeteners.

The rebranding occurred in 1987 to avoid consumer confusion. The word "Free" was often mistaken to mean the product was gratis, a point famously made in the movie Back to the Future.

Yes, the formulation has changed. While the original used sugar, the modern version, in the US, primarily uses high-fructose corn syrup, reflecting changes in standard cola recipes over time.

The warning is present because the product contains aspartame. Aspartame is a source of phenylalanine, an amino acid that individuals with the rare genetic disorder phenylketonuria (PKU) cannot properly metabolize.

In addition to adding a characteristic tangy flavor to the cola, phosphoric acid also serves as a preservative to help extend the product's shelf life.