What sparkling water doesn't have aspartame? Find the best aspartame-free options

December 25, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a 2017 study, almost 41% of Americans reported consuming foods or beverages containing non-nutritive sweeteners, including aspartame, highlighting a widespread preference for low-calorie options. For those seeking an alternative, knowing what sparkling water doesn't have aspartame is a key consideration for health-conscious consumers.

Quick Summary

A comprehensive guide to aspartame-free sparkling water brands, including options with natural essences and real fruit juice. Compares leading choices for a healthy, bubbly beverage.

Key Points

Spindrift uses real fruit: Spindrift is flavored with real squeezed fruit juice, providing a more robust and authentic taste without artificial sweeteners.
LaCroix and Waterloo use natural essences: These popular brands achieve flavor with natural fruit essences, resulting in a subtle taste with zero calories or sweeteners.
Look for naturally mineral waters: Brands like Topo Chico and Perrier are naturally sourced, unsweetened mineral waters, free of all additives.
Understand "natural flavors": Not all natural flavors are real fruit juice; essences capture the flavor without adding sugar or calories.
DIY offers total control: Using a home carbonation system and natural ingredients allows for completely customized, aspartame-free sparkling water.
Check ingredients carefully: Some brands replace aspartame with other artificial sweeteners like sucralose, so always read the label.

Your Guide to Aspartame-Free Sparkling Waters

For many health-conscious consumers, artificial sweeteners like aspartame are a growing concern. As a result, the demand for clean-label beverages has surged. Fortunately, a wide variety of sparkling waters on the market offer a flavorful, bubbly experience without any artificial additives.

Popular Aspartame-Free Brands

Many brands have built their reputation on providing a product free from aspartame and other artificial sweeteners. These brands often achieve their taste using real fruit juice, natural essences, or by simply offering a clean, unflavored option.

Spindrift: This brand is celebrated for its use of real, squeezed fruit for flavoring. Each can is slightly pulpy and has a noticeable fruit flavor that's both refreshing and authentic. Spindrift is unsweetened and contains no artificial ingredients.
LaCroix: A pioneer in the flavored sparkling water space, LaCroix contains only carbonated water and natural flavors, with no sugar or artificial sweeteners. Its wide variety of flavors are derived from fruit essences, resulting in a subtle, not-overpowering taste.
Waterloo: Similar to LaCroix, Waterloo uses natural fruit essences and lively carbonation to deliver authentic flavors without any calories, sugar, or artificial sweeteners.
Bubly: Launched by PepsiCo, Bubly is another popular choice that is free of artificial sweeteners and uses natural flavors. It offers a range of fruit-flavored sparkling waters in fun, colorful packaging.
Topo Chico: As a naturally sourced sparkling mineral water, Topo Chico offers a neutral flavor and distinctive, tiny bubbles that have made it a favorite mixer. It contains no sweeteners or added flavors.
Perrier: Another internationally recognized brand, Perrier is naturally carbonated mineral water from France. It is completely free of any sweeteners or additives.
Polar Seltzer: Offering a vast selection of fruit flavors, Polar Seltzer water is made with 100% natural flavors and contains no sweeteners or artificial ingredients.

The Difference: Real Fruit Juice vs. Natural Essences

When exploring aspartame-free options, it's important to understand the two main methods for adding flavor. This will help you decide which brand best suits your taste preference.

Natural Essences:

How it works: Brands like LaCroix, Waterloo, and Bubly use natural essences derived from the oils of fruits. These essences are extracted to capture the aroma and hint of flavor without adding any calories or sugar.
Taste Profile: The flavor is subtle, sometimes described as a fragrant hint rather than a full-bodied fruit taste. The water itself remains clear.
Best For: Those who prefer a very light, low-flavor, and zero-calorie drink.

Real Fruit Juice:

How it works: Brands like Spindrift add a small amount of real, squeezed fruit juice to their sparkling water.
Taste Profile: The flavor is more pronounced, authentic, and tangy, similar to water with a splash of juice. The water will have a slight color and may contain a small amount of pulp, as well as a few calories from the fruit itself.
Best For: Individuals who want a more intense, true fruit flavor and don't mind a few calories.

Health Concerns and Aspartame Alternatives

The choice to avoid aspartame often stems from general health concerns, though regulatory bodies like the FDA consider it safe within acceptable daily intake levels. The World Health Organization's IARC, however, has classified aspartame as "possibly carcinogenic to humans" based on limited evidence, a classification that sparks ongoing debate. For those who prefer to avoid it, alternatives are plentiful.

Common Aspartame Alternatives

Stevia: A plant-based, zero-calorie sweetener derived from the Stevia rebaudiana plant.
Monkfruit: Another natural, zero-calorie sweetener derived from the monk fruit.
Erythritol: A sugar alcohol that is calorie-free and can be found in some sugar-free products.

Be sure to check the ingredient list of any product, as some beverages replace aspartame with other non-nutritive sweeteners that you may also wish to avoid.

Aspartame-Free Brands Comparison


Brand	Flavor Source	Sweeteners	Calories	Taste Profile	Carbonation
Spindrift	Real Fruit Juice	None	0-15 cal (varies)	Noticeable, authentic fruit flavor	Moderate
LaCroix	Natural Essences	None	0	Subtle hint of flavor	Moderate-High
Waterloo	Natural Essences	None	0	Pronounced, authentic flavor	Lively
Bubly	Natural Flavors	None	0	Variety of fruit flavors	Lively
Topo Chico	Mineral Content	None	0	Neutral, minerally flavor	Tiny, sharp bubbles
Perrier	Mineral Content	None	0	Neutral, distinctively mineral	Strong
Polar Seltzer	Natural Flavors	None	0	Wide variety of fruit flavors	High

Making Your Own Sparkling Water

For complete control over what you drink, making your own sparkling water is the ultimate solution. A home carbonation system like a SodaStream allows you to carbonate plain tap or filtered water to your desired level of fizziness. You can then add your own natural flavorings.

Here are some ideas for natural infusions:

Slices of fresh citrus fruits like lemon, lime, or orange.
Crushed fresh berries, such as raspberries or strawberries.
Herbs like mint, basil, or rosemary.
A splash of pure, unsweetened fruit juice.
Cucumber slices and a sprig of mint for a refreshing twist.

This method guarantees a beverage with zero aspartame or other artificial sweeteners, giving you peace of mind and endless customization.

Conclusion

Choosing a sparkling water that doesn't have aspartame is a simple and effective way to enjoy a refreshing, fizzy drink without artificial sweeteners. With numerous brands offering a wide range of options, from real fruit infusions like Spindrift to natural essences in LaCroix, there is a flavor profile for every preference. Consumers can also take complete control by creating their own customized sparkling water at home. For those navigating the potential health implications associated with additives, the abundance of aspartame-free choices on the market means you don't have to compromise on taste or health goals. For further information on food additive regulations, you can refer to authoritative sources such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's website.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, LaCroix does not contain aspartame. Its flavored sparkling waters are made with carbonated water and natural fruit essences, with zero sugar or artificial sweeteners.

Yes, Bubly sparkling water is free of aspartame and other artificial sweeteners. Its fruity taste is derived from natural flavors, and it contains no calories or sugar.

To check for aspartame, always read the ingredient list on the product label. Aspartame may also be listed under brand names like NutraSweet or Equal.

Natural sweeteners like Stevia and Monkfruit are common alternatives to aspartame. Some brands also use Erythritol or rely solely on natural fruit essences or real fruit juice for flavor.

Aspartame's safety is a subject of ongoing debate. While regulatory bodies like the FDA consider it safe within acceptable daily intake levels, other groups, such as the IARC, have classified it as 'possibly carcinogenic to humans'. Most health experts advise that moderation is important.

Seltzer is plain water that has been artificially carbonated. Mineral water, like Perrier or Topo Chico, comes from a natural spring and contains naturally occurring minerals. Some mineral waters are also naturally carbonated.

Spindrift is a well-known brand that uses real, squeezed fruit juice to flavor its sparkling water. This gives the beverage a more robust and authentic fruit flavor.

For a pure, unflavored sparkling water without additives, options like Perrier and Topo Chico are popular choices. They are naturally sourced mineral waters with no added sweeteners or flavorings.

Yes, you can use a home carbonation system like a SodaStream and add your own natural ingredients, such as fresh fruit slices, herbs, or a small amount of juice.