What brand of root beer has the least amount of sugar? A comprehensive guide for a healthier sip

October 10, 2025 •

5 min read

With many popular root beer brands containing over 40 grams of sugar in a single 12-ounce can, it's no wonder consumers are asking what brand of root beer has the least amount of sugar. The answer isn't a single brand, but rather a category of zero-sugar sodas and specialized low-sugar options that can satisfy your craving without the guilt of excessive sweeteners.

Quick Summary

Several brands offer root beer with zero or minimal sugar, including major zero-sugar lines and craft sodas with natural sweeteners. The best choice depends on your preference for artificial sweeteners, natural alternatives, or a reduced-sugar formula. Evaluating nutritional labels helps align your beverage selection with your health goals.

Key Points

Zero-Sugar Options: Brands like A&W, Mug, Barq's, and Virgil's offer root beers with 0 grams of sugar, using artificial or alternative sweeteners.
Naturally Low-Sugar: For those avoiding artificial sweeteners, Olipop is a prebiotic soda with only 2 grams of sugar, sweetened with natural ingredients like stevia.
Stevia-Sweetened Choice: Zevia provides a zero-sugar option sweetened with plant-based stevia leaf extract, which offers a distinct flavor profile.
Moderately Low-Sugar: Brands like Demi Doux use pure cane sugar but in half the quantity of regular root beers, a middle-ground option for reduced sugar.
DIY Control: Making your own root beer at home with root beer extract and low-calorie natural sweeteners allows for complete control over the sugar content.
Read Labels Carefully: Always check the nutritional label for the type of sweetener used and the serving size to make an informed decision based on your dietary needs.

The High Cost of Sugar in Traditional Root Beer

Traditional root beer is known for its sweet, creamy flavor, but it often comes with a significant amount of added sugar. The excessive consumption of sugary drinks has been linked to numerous health issues, including weight gain, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. For many people, finding a root beer with less sugar is a crucial step toward a healthier diet. Fortunately, a growing number of options, from mainstream brands to smaller craft producers, are catering to this demand.

The Zero-Sugar Champions: Brands with 0 Grams of Sugar

For those seeking a beverage with absolutely no sugar, a number of major brands offer 'Zero Sugar' or 'Diet' versions. These products use alternative sweeteners to replicate the classic root beer taste without the calories or sugar content. The appeal of these drinks lies in their accessibility and consistent flavor profile, though some may detect a slight difference in taste or aftertaste.

A&W Zero Sugar: A well-known classic, A&W's Zero Sugar root beer offers the brand's signature creamy and frothy flavor with none of the sugar or calories. It is widely available and often praised for a taste that is very close to the original, though some consumers report a different mouthfeel.
Mug Zero Sugar: Manufactured by PepsiCo, Mug Root Beer also has a zero-sugar option. Like A&W, it aims to capture the essence of its full-sugar counterpart, providing a refreshing and creamy experience without the high sugar load.
Barq's Zero Sugar: Known for its signature "bite," Barq's offers a zero-sugar version that maintains its crisp, distinctive flavor. It's a solid choice for those who prefer a less creamy, more carbonated root beer taste.
Virgil's Zero Sugar: A craft-style option, Virgil's prides itself on using a blend of 15 roots and spices for a rich flavor profile. Their zero-sugar version is a popular choice for those looking for a premium experience that is naturally bold and free of sugar and calories.

Low-Sugar and Naturally Sweetened Alternatives

For consumers who prefer to avoid artificial sweeteners but still want to reduce their sugar intake, several brands offer low-sugar options using natural sweeteners or a reduced amount of real sugar. These beverages often appeal to those seeking a more "natural" product and can offer a different, sometimes more complex, flavor.

Olipop Classic Root Beer: This prebiotic soda stands out with only 2 grams of sugar per can. It utilizes a blend of botanicals, prebiotics, and natural sweeteners like stevia, cassava root syrup, and fruit juice to create a minimally sweet and gut-health-friendly beverage.
Zevia Root Beer: Zevia is a popular choice for those who want a zero-sugar root beer sweetened with stevia, a plant-based, zero-calorie sweetener. Its taste profile is different from traditional artificially sweetened sodas and is a favorite among those who appreciate the unique taste of stevia.
Demi Doux Root Beer: This brand's name translates to "half sweet," and its root beer contains roughly half the sugar of regular root beers, using pure cane sugar instead of high-fructose corn syrup. It provides a bridge between full-sugar and zero-sugar options, offering a satisfying sweetness level with fewer calories.

Comparing Popular Low and Zero-Sugar Root Beers

To help you decide, here is a comparison table of some of the leading low-sugar and zero-sugar brands based on a 12 fl oz serving. Note that specific values can vary slightly by product and packaging.


Brand	Sugar Content (per 12 fl oz)	Primary Sweetener	Notable Features
A&W Zero Sugar	0g	Aspartame, Acesulfame Potassium	Classic, creamy, widely available
Mug Zero Sugar	0g	Aspartame	Creamy, consistent flavor
Barq's Zero Sugar	0g	Aspartame, Acesulfame Potassium	"Bite," more carbonated flavor
Virgil's Zero Sugar	0g	Stevia, Erythritol	Craft-style, 15 roots & spices
Olipop Classic Root Beer	2g	Stevia, Cassava Root Syrup	Prebiotic, low-sugar, fruit juice
Zevia Root Beer	0g	Stevia Leaf Extract	Stevia-sweetened, no calories
Demi Doux Root Beer	~20-22g	Pure Cane Sugar	Half the sugar of traditional soda

Making Healthier Choices Beyond the Store Shelf

For those who want to be in complete control of their ingredients, making homemade root beer is an excellent option. Recipes often involve using root beer extract and adjusting the sweetness with natural, low-sugar alternatives. This approach gives you full control over the sugar content and allows for creative flavor experimentation. You can use a mix of sweeteners like erythritol, monk fruit, or stevia, or even a small amount of allulose for a low-calorie, low-sugar option.

Reading the Labels: What to Look For

Choosing a healthier root beer goes beyond just finding the lowest sugar content. Here are some key things to look for when you are browsing the beverage aisle:

Type of Sweetener: Pay attention to whether the product uses artificial sweeteners (aspartame, sucralose) or natural alternatives (stevia, erythritol) and choose according to your preference and dietary needs. Some people prefer one type over another due to taste or sensitivity.
Other Ingredients: Some low-sugar options, like Olipop, add functional ingredients such as prebiotics and botanicals for added health benefits. Check the full ingredient list to see if the product contains any ingredients you may want to avoid, such as artificial colors or preservatives.
Serving Size: Always be mindful of the serving size, as some brands may list nutritional information per half-can or bottle, which can be misleading. Always calculate for the total amount you intend to drink.

Conclusion: Your Best Root Beer Awaits

When answering the question, what brand of root beer has the least amount of sugar?, the clear winners are the zero-sugar options like A&W Zero Sugar, Virgil's Zero Sugar, and Zevia, which all contain 0 grams of sugar and 0 calories. For those seeking a low-sugar alternative with natural sweeteners, Olipop is an excellent choice. Ultimately, the best option depends on your personal taste and dietary preferences regarding sweeteners. By carefully reading nutritional labels and considering the available alternatives, you can find a delicious root beer that fits perfectly into a healthier lifestyle.

For more in-depth nutritional comparisons and information on beverages, check out the resources from Harvard's School of Public Health: The Nutrition Source.

Frequently Asked Questions

There is little functional difference between zero-sugar and diet root beer, as both contain zero grams of sugar. The terms are used interchangeably by many brands, but some use 'Zero Sugar' to imply an updated recipe or different sweetener blend from their 'Diet' version.

Stevia is a plant-based natural sweetener, while aspartame is an artificial one. For some, the natural origin of stevia is preferable. However, evidence is mixed on whether artificial sweeteners offer weight loss benefits, and excessive consumption of any sugar alternative should be limited.

Switching from sugary soda to diet or zero-sugar options can help reduce calorie intake, but research is mixed on whether it directly leads to weight loss. Some studies suggest diet drinks may condition a craving for sweet foods, while others find reduced sugar intake contributes to weight control.

No, the taste of low-sugar root beers can vary significantly depending on the sweetener used. Artificial sweeteners like aspartame can have a different aftertaste than natural ones like stevia. Craft sodas often have more complex flavor profiles from their unique spice blends.

Beyond sugar, consider the type of sweetener and the overall ingredients. Some brands offer added benefits like prebiotics, while others may contain artificial colors or preservatives. Check for ingredients that you might be sensitive to or prefer to avoid.

The primary benefit of choosing a low-sugar or zero-sugar root beer is reducing the health risks associated with excessive sugar intake, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. Some brands, like Olipop, also include additional health-promoting ingredients like prebiotics.

Yes, making homemade root beer is straightforward. It typically involves mixing root beer extract with carbonated water and your preferred low-calorie sweetener (such as stevia or monk fruit) to create a custom, low-sugar beverage.