What soft drink doesn't have aspartame?

December 2, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), aspartame is one of the most thoroughly studied food additives, yet many people seek alternatives. Knowing what soft drink doesn't have aspartame is a priority for those looking to avoid this specific artificial sweetener. This article lists numerous aspartame-free soda options, from major brands to smaller, naturally sweetened choices.

Quick Summary

This guide provides extensive information on soft drinks that do not contain aspartame. It covers mainstream products using alternative sweeteners like sucralose and acesulfame potassium, as well as naturally sweetened options with stevia or monk fruit. The guide also details popular brands that are aspartame-free.

Key Points

Check the Label: To determine what soft drink doesn't have aspartame, the most reliable method is to check the ingredient list on the product packaging, as formulations can vary by region.
Natural Sweetener Options: Brands like Zevia and Olipop offer aspartame-free sodas sweetened with natural alternatives like stevia or monk fruit.
Alternative Artificial Sweeteners: Some diet sodas, such as specific versions of Diet Coke and Diet Rite, may use sucralose or acesulfame potassium instead of aspartame.
Full-Sugar Sodas: Regular, full-sugar soft drinks are sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup or sugar, making them naturally free of aspartame.
Consider Seltzer and Kombucha: Unsweetened seltzer and naturally fermented drinks like kombucha are excellent aspartame-free fizzy alternatives.

Mainstream Brands with Aspartame-Free Options

For consumers who want to stick with familiar brands, several major soft drink manufacturers offer products that are formulated without aspartame, instead using other sweeteners. It is always important to check the ingredients list, as formulations can vary by region and sometimes even for specific product variations.

Coca-Cola Products

Coca-Cola Classic: The original formula is sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup or cane sugar, not artificial sweeteners.
Coca-Cola Zero Sugar: In the U.S., Coca-Cola Zero Sugar relies on a blend of aspartame and acesulfame potassium (Ace-K) for sweetness. However, some international versions or specific limited runs might have different formulations.
Diet Coke with Splenda: While the standard Diet Coke is sweetened with aspartame, some markets offer a version sweetened with sucralose (Splenda). Look for the 'with Splenda' label to confirm.

PepsiCo Products

Pepsi Zero Sugar: This product uses both aspartame and acesulfame potassium (Ace-K) for sweetness in North America, but its formula has changed and varies internationally.
Diet Pepsi (Certain Formulations): Some versions of Diet Pepsi or rebranded versions might be aspartame-free, but like other major brands, it’s essential to check the label for the specific sweetener blend used in your area. For instance, the UK's Pepsi Max lists aspartame and acesulfame K.

Naturally Sweetened Soft Drinks

For those seeking beverages free from all artificial sweeteners, several brands use natural alternatives like stevia or monk fruit. These options cater to a growing market of health-conscious consumers.

Zevia: This brand offers a wide range of zero-calorie sodas sweetened exclusively with stevia leaf extract.
Olipop: This brand offers a line of vintage sodas and other flavors, often using stevia and other natural flavorings to achieve sweetness.
Virgil's Zero Sugar: This line of sodas is sweetened with a proprietary blend of erythritol and stevia.

Comparison of Common Sweeteners


Sweetener	Type	Usage in Sodas	Stability	Notes
Aspartame	Artificial	Diet Coke, Coke Zero (blend), Pepsi Zero Sugar (blend), many diet sodas	Not heat stable	Common, but controversial artificial sweetener
Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K)	Artificial	Coke Zero (blend), Pepsi Zero Sugar (blend), Diet Rite	Heat stable	Often combined with other sweeteners for a more balanced taste
Sucralose (Splenda)	Artificial	Diet Coke with Splenda (specific versions), Diet Rite	Heat stable	Approx. 600 times sweeter than sugar
Stevia	Natural	Zevia, Olipop, Virgil's	Heat stable (extracts)	Derived from the stevia plant; can have an aftertaste for some
Monk Fruit	Natural	Olipop, other natural brands	Heat stable	Derived from monk fruit; up to 250 times sweeter than sugar
High-Fructose Corn Syrup	Natural (refined)	Coca-Cola Classic, other regular sodas	Heat stable	Standard sugar in many non-diet sodas

Other Aspartame-Free Drink Categories

Beyond mainstream sodas and dedicated health food brands, there are broader categories of beverages that are inherently aspartame-free.

Full-Sugar Soft Drinks: All regular, full-sugar sodas are sweetened with sugar or high-fructose corn syrup, not aspartame. Examples include Coca-Cola Classic, Pepsi, and Dr. Pepper.
Carbonated Water and Seltzer: Unflavored or naturally flavored sparkling water and seltzers are typically aspartame-free. Brands like LaCroix, Bubly, and Waterloo use natural essences and flavors without added sweeteners.
Kombucha: This fermented tea is naturally sweet but doesn't use artificial sweeteners. It offers a fizzy, probiotic-rich alternative to traditional soda.
Ginger Ale and Iced Tea: Many brands of classic ginger ale and iced tea, especially those with full sugar, do not contain aspartame.

Conclusion

Finding a soft drink that doesn't have aspartame is a straightforward process, thanks to the wide variety of options available today. Whether you prefer a mainstream brand using alternative artificial sweeteners like sucralose or acesulfame potassium, or a naturally sweetened option from brands like Zevia or Olipop, there are numerous choices to satisfy your taste. For those who want to avoid all artificial additives, traditional full-sugar sodas, or naturally flavored seltzers and kombuchas are excellent alternatives. Always review the product label to confirm the ingredients, as sweetener formulas can differ between regions and products. With this information, you can make an informed decision and find a soft drink that aligns with your preferences.

For more in-depth information on sweeteners and their safety, the FDA provides comprehensive resources on its website.

[Link: FDA Aspartame and Other Sweeteners in Food: https://www.fda.gov/food/food-additives-petitions/aspartame-and-other-sweeteners-food]

Lists of Aspartame-Free Sodas

Naturally Sweetened with Stevia

Zevia Cola
Zevia Lemon Lime Twist
Zevia Cream Soda
Zevia Dr. Zevia
Olipop Vintage Cola

Sweetened with Sugar or Corn Syrup

Coca-Cola Classic
Pepsi
Sprite
7 Up
Dr. Pepper (Regular)

Sweetened with Sucralose or Ace-K (No Aspartame)

Diet Rite (Sucralose and Ace-K)
Diet Coke with Splenda (specific markets)

Naturally Flavored Seltzer/Sparkling Water

LaCroix
Bubly
Waterloo
Topo Chico
Spindrift (unsweetened, fruit-infused)

Frequently Asked Questions

Both Diet Coke and Coke Zero are zero-calorie drinks, but they use different sweetener combinations. Diet Coke is primarily sweetened with aspartame, while Coke Zero uses a blend of aspartame and acesulfame potassium (Ace-K) to more closely replicate the taste of classic Coca-Cola.

No, not all zero-sugar soft drinks are aspartame-free. Many, like Diet Coke, rely on aspartame as a primary sweetener. Some use a blend of sweeteners that may include aspartame, while others use different sweeteners entirely, such as stevia, sucralose, or monk fruit.

Some popular aspartame-free diet soda options include Diet Rite, which uses a blend of sucralose and Ace-K, and products from the brand Zevia, which are sweetened with stevia. Specific market versions of Diet Coke with Splenda are also an option.

High-purity stevia leaf extract, used in many beverages, is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA. It is a natural alternative to artificial sweeteners, though some individuals may find its aftertaste noticeable.

For the general population, aspartame is considered safe when consumed within acceptable daily intake levels, according to the FDA. However, individuals with the rare genetic disorder phenylketonuria (PKU) must avoid aspartame, as their bodies cannot properly metabolize one of its components, phenylalanine.

Classic, full-sugar versions of major soft drink brands like Coca-Cola Classic and Pepsi are sweetened with sugar or high-fructose corn syrup and are therefore aspartame-free.

Yes, several energy drink brands now offer versions sweetened with stevia or monk fruit, or with sugar instead of artificial sweeteners. Checking the ingredient label is the best way to confirm the absence of aspartame.