What kind of sugar is in Slurpees? An in-depth look

December 4, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a 2022 study by the Cancer Council in Australia, some mega-sized Slurpees contained nearly 50 teaspoons of sugar, significantly exceeding the World Health Organization's recommended daily intake. This staggering statistic raises questions about the sweet ingredients behind the iconic frozen treat. While the exact formulation can vary, most versions are sweetened primarily with high fructose corn syrup.

Quick Summary

Slurpees are primarily sweetened with high fructose corn syrup, although some regional variations, like those in Canada and Australia, may list sugar or a blend of sugar and glucose-fructose. This sweetener is crucial for both taste and achieving the signature slushy texture by controlling the freezing point. Sugar-free alternatives may contain other compounds like glycerol, which poses risks to young children.

Key Points

High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS): This is the main sweetener in many US-based Slurpees, chosen for its cost and effectiveness in creating the slushy texture.
Regional Sugar Differences: The type of sugar varies internationally; Canadian Slurpees may use sugar/glucose-fructose, while Australian ones often list cane sugar.
Beyond Sweetness: Sugar is essential for maintaining the slushy consistency by lowering the freezing point of the mixture.
Extremely High Sugar Content: Large Slurpee sizes often contain far more sugar than daily health recommendations, with some mega-sizes exceeding a week's worth of recommended intake.
Alternative Sweeteners: Sugar-free options use alternative sweeteners and glycerol, with specific health warnings regarding glycerol consumption for young children.
Always Check the Label: Ingredient formulations can vary by location and flavor, so reading the nutrition label is crucial for the most accurate information.

The Primary Sweetener: High Fructose Corn Syrup

For many years, the standard Slurpee syrup in the United States has been based on high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). This liquid sweetener, derived from corn starch, offers several advantages for food and beverage manufacturers. It is a cost-effective alternative to cane sugar and mixes easily into liquid formulations, making it ideal for large-scale production. For a classic flavor like Fanta Wild Cherry, the ingredient list explicitly starts with "A beverage syrup prepared with high fructose corn syrup". This ingredient is key not only for the sweet taste but also for its ability to help maintain the liquid-ice crystal balance necessary for a slushy texture, as it depresses the freezing point of the mixture.

Regional and Formulatory Variations

It is important to note that the exact type of sugar in Slurpees can vary significantly depending on the region and the specific flavor. For instance:

Canada: 7-Eleven Canada's website for the MTN Dew Slurpee lists the ingredient as "Sugars (sugar/glucose-fructose)". This blend of sweeteners combines sucrose (table sugar) with a syrup containing glucose and fructose, similar in composition to HFCS but derived differently. This highlights how companies adapt their formulations based on local regulations and market preferences.
Australia: In Australia, some 7-Eleven Slurpee flavors, including standard Coca-Cola, explicitly list "Sugar" as the main sweetener, without mentioning HFCS.
Other Markets: Other frozen carbonated beverages, like ICEE, which is a similar product, also use high fructose corn syrup but may sometimes list a "syrup blend (sucrose syrup and corn syrup)".

The Role of Sugar Beyond Sweetness

Beyond its flavor-enhancing properties, sugar plays a crucial functional role in creating the unique texture of a Slurpee. The high concentration of dissolved sugar lowers the freezing point of the water in the syrup, preventing it from freezing solid in the machine. Without this high sugar content, the machine would simply produce a solid block of ice, making it impossible to dispense the drink.

The Rise of Sugar-Free Options

For those looking to avoid sugar, some diet or sugar-free frozen drinks are available. These versions typically replace sugar with artificial sweeteners, but often include glycerol to maintain the correct freezing properties and texture. However, the use of glycerol has drawn scrutiny, especially concerning consumption by young children. In June 2025, the UK's Food Standards Agency updated its advice, recommending that children under eight avoid slushies containing glycerol due to risks of intoxication. This makes checking the ingredient list on diet versions even more critical.

Sweetener Comparison: HFCS vs. Sugar vs. Alternatives


Feature	High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS)	Sugar/Glucose-Fructose	Alternative Sweeteners (e.g., Glycerol)
Sweetness	Very sweet, similar to table sugar.	Very sweet, similar to HFCS.	Varies, often sweeter than sugar (requiring less volume).
Cost	Typically less expensive than cane sugar.	Variable, depends on market and source.	Varies by specific sweetener.
Function in Slush	Excellent for depressing freezing point.	Effective for depressing freezing point.	Used to depress freezing point in sugar-free versions.
Regional Usage	Common in US versions.	Common in Canadian versions.	Used in diet and zero-sugar versions.
Primary Concern	High sugar intake linked to health issues.	High sugar intake linked to health issues.	Glycerol risks for young children.

Decoding the Ingredients: A Call to Vigilance

Ingredient lists and nutritional information are your best resources for determining what exactly is in your Slurpee. Given that formulations can change and differ by region, a quick check of the label is recommended for the most accurate information. Other common ingredients typically found alongside the sugar include:

Water: The base of the syrup.
Citric Acid: Adds a tart flavor and acts as a preservative.
Natural and Artificial Flavors: Provide the distinct taste for each flavor.
Coloring: Dyes like FD&C Red #40 or Blue #1 create the vibrant, eye-catching colors.
Preservatives: Ingredients like sodium benzoate help protect the taste and prevent spoilage.

Conclusion

For many years and in many markets, especially the United States, the primary sweetener found in Slurpees is high fructose corn syrup. However, this is not a universal rule. Different countries and product lines may use cane sugar or a combination of sweeteners. For consumers, the most important takeaway is the high overall sugar content across all non-diet versions, which can easily surpass daily recommended limits, regardless of the specific type of sugar used. When choosing a Slurpee, reading the ingredient list remains the most reliable way to know what you're consuming. You can learn more about the differences between cane sugar and high-fructose corn syrup from sources like PBS.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, not all Slurpees contain high fructose corn syrup. While it is a common sweetener in the United States, formulations differ by country. For example, some Canadian versions use a sugar/glucose-fructose blend, and Australian varieties may be sweetened with cane sugar.

The high sugar content serves two key purposes: providing the sweet taste and, more importantly, acting as a functional ingredient. A high concentration of dissolved sugar is required to lower the freezing point of the water, which allows the liquid to remain in a semi-frozen, slushy state instead of freezing solid.

Yes, there are diet or sugar-free versions of slushies available, including at some 7-Eleven locations. These products replace sugar with alternative sweeteners and sometimes use glycerol to achieve the desired frozen consistency.

Glycerol is a sugar alcohol used to prevent sugar-free slushies from freezing solid. While generally safe for most, recent health warnings from the Food Standards Agency in the UK advise against its consumption by children under eight, as high intake can cause very low blood sugar levels.

The sugar content in large Slurpees is substantial. According to a Forbes article referencing a study, a medium (22 oz) can contain 44 grams of sugar, and an X-large (40 oz) can have up to 80 grams. Other studies have even found Australian mega-sizes with over 49 teaspoons.

High fructose corn syrup and cane sugar are both sweeteners, but HFCS is a manufactured product from corn, while cane sugar comes from sugar cane. From a nutritional standpoint, the body processes both similarly, but HFCS is often cheaper for manufacturers to use, leading to its widespread use in products like Slurpees.

While the primary sweetener base may be consistent within a specific region (e.g., HFCS in the US), the overall ingredient list, including flavoring compounds and coloring, can vary between flavors. However, the high total sugar content is a constant across most non-diet versions.