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What diet drinks does Sonic have?

3 min read

With more than 1.3 million possible drink combinations, Sonic is a paradise for custom beverage lovers, but what diet drinks does Sonic have for those watching their sugar intake? The good news is that Sonic offers a wide range of low-calorie and sugar-free options that can be customized to your taste, extending far beyond simple diet soda.

Quick Summary

Sonic provides various standard diet soft drinks and customizable options using sugar-free flavor add-ins like cherry and peach, as well as unsweetened iced tea and custom diet limeades.

Key Points

  • Standard Options: Sonic's menu includes classic diet sodas like Diet Coke, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Diet Dr Pepper, and Sprite Zero.

  • Sugar-Free Customization: A wide range of sugar-free flavor add-ins, including cherry, peach, raspberry, blackberry, and mango, are available to mix with zero-calorie bases like water or unsweetened tea.

  • Diet Slush Warning: "Diet" slushes are not sugar-free; the base is made with sugar, so avoid them for a low-calorie option.

  • Create Your Own: Customers can build popular low-calorie drinks like Dirty Diet Coke (with sugar-free coconut) or a custom Peach Water.

  • Check Local Availability: Flavor availability can vary by location, so checking the Sonic app or contacting your local store is advisable.

  • Diet Cherry Limeade: A popular and tasty low-calorie alternative to the classic full-sugar limeade, made with diet cherry flavor and Sprite Zero.

In This Article

Standard Diet Soda Options

For a quick and easy low-calorie choice, Sonic's menu features several standard diet soft drinks. These fountain sodas are a reliable go-to for a refreshing and bubbly treat without the added sugar and calories of their full-sugar counterparts. Here is a list of the most common diet soda offerings:

  • Diet Coke®: A classic, calorie-free soda for those who enjoy the familiar Coca-Cola taste.
  • Coca-Cola® Zero Sugar: Another zero-sugar option from Coca-Cola, designed to taste even more like the original.
  • Diet Dr Pepper®: A staple diet beverage for fans of the 23-flavor blend.
  • Sprite Zero®: A crisp, lemon-lime flavored, sugar-free soda that is perfect on its own or as a base for custom flavors.

Unsweetened Iced Tea

For a natural, zero-calorie option, Sonic also offers unsweetened iced tea. This serves as an excellent base for adding your own sugar-free flavors for a personalized drink without any artificial sweeteners.

Customizing Your Drink with Sugar-Free Flavors

This is where Sonic's drink menu truly shines for those on a diet. You can customize standard drinks like water, iced tea, or Sprite Zero with a variety of sugar-free flavor add-ins, which are typically sweetened with SPLENDA®. Popular sugar-free add-in flavors include:

  • Cherry: A classic and popular add-in for diet sodas and limeades.
  • Peach: Offers a sweet, fruity twist to any base.
  • Raspberry: Provides a tart and sweet berry flavor.
  • Blackberry: A darker berry flavor that pairs well with many sodas and teas.
  • Mango: Delivers a tropical and sweet flavor profile.

The Truth About Diet Slushes

A crucial distinction to understand at Sonic is the difference between a "diet" flavor add-in and a slush. As noted by customers, the slush base itself contains sugar, meaning a "diet cherry slush" is not a sugar-free drink. The diet flavor is simply added to the sugary base. If you want a zero-sugar, low-calorie flavored ice drink, it is recommended to order iced water or Sprite Zero with the sugar-free flavor add-ins.

Popular Customizable Diet Drinks

Customers have found creative ways to enjoy low-calorie and sugar-free combinations by mixing and matching base drinks and flavor shots. Some popular choices include:

  • Diet Cherry Limeade: The sugar-free version of a Sonic classic, made with Sprite Zero and diet cherry flavor.
  • Dirty Diet Coke: A mix of Diet Coke with sugar-free coconut syrup and a squeeze of lime.
  • Peach Water: Simple yet refreshing, this is just water with sugar-free peach flavor added.
  • Keto Mermaid Water: A secret menu item made with iced sparkling water, sugar-free peach, and sugar-free raspberry flavors.
  • Diet Dr Pepper with Vanilla and Cherry: A customizable favorite for those who enjoy the combination of soda, vanilla, and cherry.

Sonic's Low-Calorie Drink Options Comparison

Drink Base Standard Flavors (Full Sugar) Sugar-Free Flavors Best For Calories (approx.)
Diet Coke No Any sugar-free add-in Classic soda taste 0
Sprite Zero No Any sugar-free add-in Lemon-lime base 0
Unsweetened Tea N/A Any sugar-free add-in Natural, low-cal Varies (minimal)
Water N/A Any sugar-free add-in Zero calories 0
Slush Cherry, Blue Raspberry, etc. N/A (base is sugared) Full-sugar treat High (varies)
Diet Limeades Diet Cherry, Diet Lime Yes (SPLENDA®) Tart and sweet Low (varies)

A Note on Availability

It's important to remember that the availability of specific flavors can vary by location. Smaller franchisees may have a more limited selection of diet or sugar-free add-ins. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, checking the Sonic app or calling your local drive-in is recommended.

Conclusion

Sonic offers a surprisingly wide selection of diet and low-calorie drinks, primarily through its extensive flavor customization options. While the standard menu provides classic diet sodas and unsweetened tea, the real magic happens when you mix and match sugar-free flavor add-ins with a base like water, iced tea, or Sprite Zero. However, be cautious with "diet" slushes, as the slush base itself is high in sugar. By understanding your options and knowing how to order, you can enjoy a custom-made, guilt-free drink on your next visit. For more menu information, visit the official Sonic website at www.sonicdrivein.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Sonic offers a variety of sugar-free flavor add-ins, such as cherry, peach, raspberry, blackberry, and mango, which can be added to water, unsweetened tea, or diet sodas.

No, you cannot get a completely sugar-free slush at Sonic. The slush base itself is made with sugar, and the "diet" flavor is just a sugar-free syrup added to the sugary base.

The lowest calorie drinks are water, unsweetened iced tea, or any diet soda, as they contain zero calories. Adding sugar-free flavors will keep the calorie count low.

Start with a zero-calorie base like water, unsweetened tea, or a diet soda (Diet Coke, Sprite Zero). Then, ask for a sugar-free flavor add-in like cherry or peach.

Yes, the Diet Cherry Limeade is a sugar-free option. It is made with Sprite Zero, diet cherry flavor, and real fruit, but the diet flavor itself is sweetened with SPLENDA®.

No, not all fruit add-ins are sugar-free. While some flavors like cherry and peach have sugar-free versions, the fruit juice add-ins (like real strawberries) contain sugar. Be specific when ordering.

Yes, you can add cream to create a custom diet drink, similar to the popular "Dirty Soda" combinations. Just be aware that adding cream will increase the calorie count, as it is not a zero-calorie ingredient.

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Medical Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice.