The Rise and Fall of Big-Brand Stevia Sodas
Many consumers first encountered stevia-sweetened soda through major beverage corporations, but the market landscape has shifted significantly over the past decade. The two largest soda manufacturers both launched and later discontinued their primary stevia-based products, though their recipes sometimes live on in different forms or markets.
Coca-Cola's Stevia Journey
Coca-Cola's main foray into the stevia market was through Coca-Cola Life, a mid-calorie cola sweetened with a blend of cane sugar and stevia extract. Initially launched in Argentina and Chile in 2013 and later introduced to other markets including the US and UK, the product was sold in a distinctive green can. Coca-Cola Life was intended to offer a compromise between regular Coke and zero-calorie diet sodas. However, due to underperforming sales and increasing sales of Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, the company decided to discontinue Coca-Cola Life globally by 2020. In some regions, like Australia and Canada, Coca-Cola Life was initially replaced with a zero-calorie, stevia-only product called Coca-Cola with Stevia, but this too has been largely discontinued.
PepsiCo's Stevia Offerings
PepsiCo's response to Coke Life was Pepsi True, a mid-calorie cola sweetened with sugar and stevia. Also sold in a green-labeled bottle and green can, Pepsi True was introduced in the US in 2014, but was discontinued sometime before April 2020. More recently, however, PepsiCo announced a new product for the fall of 2025: Pepsi Prebiotic Cola, which will be sweetened with cane sugar and a proprietary stevia blend. This indicates a renewed interest in using natural sweeteners for functional beverages.
Sprite's Regional Stevia Use
Sprite, a product of The Coca-Cola Company, has also experimented with stevia in specific international markets. In some regions like the UK and Ireland, Sprite was reformulated to include stevia alongside sugar to reduce its overall sugar content, often in response to sugar taxes. However, the formula for Sprite has been altered multiple times, and in some areas, stevia was replaced with other artificial sweeteners. This highlights the importance of checking local product labels for current ingredients.
The Dedicated Stevia Soda Specialist: Zevia
For consumers specifically seeking a consistent, stevia-sweetened soda, Zevia remains the most prominent and widely available brand. All Zevia sodas are zero-calorie, zero-sugar, and are sweetened with stevia leaf extract. The company offers a broad range of classic and unique flavors, making it a reliable choice for those avoiding sugar and artificial sweeteners.
Zevia Soda Flavors include:
- Cola
- Black Cherry
- Cream Soda
- Creamy Root Beer
- Ginger Ale
- Ginger Root Beer
- Dr. Zevia
- Grape
- Mountain Zevia
- Lemon Lime Twist
- Vanilla Cola
- Orange
- Strawberry
Beyond the Big Brands: Other Stevia-Sweetened Beverages
While Zevia dominates the dedicated soda market, other beverages owned by larger companies also incorporate stevia into their formulas, though they may not be traditional sodas. For example, some zero-sugar versions of VitaminWater, a Coca-Cola brand, are sweetened with a combination of stevia and monk fruit extract. Additionally, craft soda makers and home recipes offer another pathway to stevia-sweetened drinks. Recipes for homemade lemon-lime soda or even copycat root beer often rely on liquid stevia drops for a zero-sugar result. This provides an avenue for customizing sweetness and flavor intensity.
Stevia vs. Other Zero-Calorie Sweeteners
When evaluating diet sodas, it's crucial to understand that not all zero-calorie sweeteners are the same. Stevia's plant-based origin is a key differentiator for many consumers. For instance, while Coca-Cola Zero Sugar provides a similar zero-calorie profile to Zevia, it is sweetened with artificial ingredients like aspartame and acesulfame potassium, not stevia. The market has seen a consistent innovation in natural sweeteners to overcome challenges like stevia's perceived bitter aftertaste, as noted in the development of purified stevia extracts. PepsiCo's experimentation with enhancing sweetener taste with compounds like Sweetmyx also shows the industry's focus on refining the taste of non-sugar options.
Comparison Table: Stevia Sodas vs. Classic Options
| Feature | Zevia Soda | Coca-Cola Life (Discontinued) | Classic Coca-Cola (Sugar) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Sweetener | Stevia Leaf Extract | Sugar & Stevia Blend | High-Fructose Corn Syrup / Sugar |
| Calorie Count | Zero Calories | Reduced Calories (~35% less) | Standard Calories (140-150 per 12oz) |
| Sweetness Source | Natural (Plant-based) | Natural (Cane Sugar) & Plant-based | Sugar (often derived from corn) |
| Availability | Currently Widely Available | Discontinued in 2020 | Widely Available |
| Taste Profile | Zero sugar taste with some variations noted, potential aftertaste | Blend of sugar sweetness and stevia | Classic, rich sugar-sweetened taste |
Conclusion
While legacy stevia-sweetened options from major brands like Coca-Cola and Pepsi have largely disappeared from the market, the segment is still vibrant. Zevia stands out as a reliable and accessible option, offering a wide array of stevia-sweetened, zero-calorie sodas. The evolving landscape shows a continued industry effort to innovate with natural sweeteners, suggesting that stevia and other plant-based alternatives will remain a key part of the beverage market. For consumers, the best approach is to identify their priorities—whether it's zero calories, specific ingredients, or a particular flavor—and read labels carefully to find the right fit.
The Future of Naturally Sweetened Beverages
The market for natural and functional beverages is continually expanding. The introduction of products like Pepsi Prebiotic Cola signals a future where beverages do more than just quench thirst. As food science improves, the challenge of masking stevia's aftertaste will likely be overcome further, leading to more palatable and complex naturally sweetened options. For brands, focusing on unique flavor profiles and functional benefits alongside natural sweeteners is a winning strategy to attract health-conscious consumers and regain a share of the diet soda market. This innovation drives the industry forward, providing consumers with more choices than ever before.
Discontinued Stevia Drinks: What Happened?
The discontinuation of major stevia drinks like Coca-Cola Life and Pepsi True was primarily driven by underwhelming sales. Both products occupied a middle ground with reduced calories, rather than zero, which may not have resonated as strongly with consumers who were either content with full-sugar versions or preferred the zero-calorie alternatives already on the market. The growth of existing zero-sugar products, like Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, also contributed to the brands' decision to focus their resources elsewhere.
Finding Your Favorite Stevia Soda Today
With major brands pulling back from the stevia segment, exploring specialized alternatives is the best path forward. Zevia, with its extensive flavor range and commitment to zero-sugar, stevia-sweetened products, is the clear market leader. For those who prefer different brands, checking product information for newer, regionally specific, or limited-release functional beverages is advisable, as the market is always in flux. Remember that while most traditional soda giants have abandoned their previous stevia products, some of their other brands or international lines may still contain it. Zevia's official site is a great resource to explore their full product lineup.
