What Sugar Free Sodas Have No Aspartame?

October 25, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), aspartame has been classified as "possibly carcinogenic to humans," leading many consumers to seek safer, non-aspartame alternatives. Navigating the options can be tricky, so it's essential to know what sugar free sodas have no aspartame and which alternative sweeteners to look for.

Quick Summary

This article explores a comprehensive list of sugar-free soda brands that do not contain aspartame, detailing the alternative sweeteners they use and offering guidance on finding the right option. Discover various brands sweetened with stevia, sucralose, and monk fruit, as well as ingredients to look for on product labels.

Key Points

Stevia-Sweetened Brands: Zevia and Green Cola are popular choices that use stevia, a natural, plant-based sweetener, for zero-calorie soda options.
Sucralose Alternatives: Brands like Diet Rite and Monster Energy Sugar Free use sweeteners such as sucralose and acesulfame potassium, making them aspartame-free options.
Monk Fruit and Novel Sweeteners: Keep an eye out for emerging brands and sparkling tonics like Olipop, which utilize natural sweeteners like monk fruit extract and allulose.
Read the Label: Always check the ingredients list for aspartame and other artificial sweeteners if you have specific preferences, as some brands use combinations to achieve their flavor profile.
Consider Your Preferences: The best aspartame-free soda depends on your taste, as different sweeteners like stevia, sucralose, and monk fruit all have unique flavor characteristics and aftertastes.
Variety is Increasing: The market for aspartame-free sodas is expanding, giving consumers a wider variety of options than ever before to satisfy their cravings without compromise.

Popular Aspartame-Free Sodas

For many health-conscious consumers, avoiding aspartame is a priority, but it's not always easy to find alternatives among the myriad of diet drinks available. Fortunately, several brands use different sweeteners to achieve a sugar-free taste. Here's a breakdown of some popular aspartame-free sugar free sodas and what makes them stand out.

Stevia-Sweetened Options

Stevia is a natural sweetener derived from the Stevia rebaudiana plant and is a popular choice for those avoiding artificial additives.

Zevia: Perhaps the most well-known brand in this category, Zevia offers a wide variety of zero-calorie sodas flavored with stevia. Flavors range from classic cola and root beer to more unique options like cream soda and black cherry. While some find the taste to be an acquired one, it's a solid choice for a completely natural sweetener.
Green Cola: This brand prides itself on using only natural sweeteners from the stevia plant, along with natural caffeine from green coffee beans. It contains no aspartame, sugar, or preservatives, making it a clean alternative to traditional cola.
Karma Drinks Sugar Free Karma Cola: A smaller, more specialized brand, Karma Drinks uses steviol glycosides from the stevia plant for a naturally sweetened cola that also contains no artificial sweeteners or preservatives.

Sucralose and Ace-K Sweetened Sodas

Other brands opt for a blend of artificial sweeteners like sucralose (commonly known as Splenda) and acesulfame potassium (Ace-K) instead of aspartame.

Diet Rite: This brand has been a long-time player in the aspartame-free market. It uses a combination of sucralose and Ace-K to provide sweetness without aspartame.
Monster Energy Sugar Free: For those needing a caffeine boost, the sugar-free Monster Energy drinks use sucralose and Ace-K, not aspartame.
Tango Sugar Free (UK): In the UK, Tango offers sugar-free options across its flavors like Orange and Dark Berry, which are sweetened with sucralose and Ace-K.

Monk Fruit and Other Novel Sweeteners

As novel sweeteners become more common, more options are emerging for aspartame-free sodas.

Olipop: While not a traditional soda, Olipop is a sparkling tonic that offers classic soda flavors sweetened with stevia and other natural ingredients. Its Vintage Cola is noted for being a tasty alternative.
Allulose-based drinks: Allulose is a naturally occurring sugar found in small quantities in figs, maple syrup, and other foods. It tastes like regular sugar but has nearly zero calories. A number of craft sodas and drink mixes are now utilizing this as a sweetener, and it's worth checking labels for.

Reading the Labels: What to Look For

When shopping for aspartame-free sodas, it is crucial to read the ingredient labels carefully. Aspartame is often listed by its full name, but also check for other artificial sweeteners if you want to avoid those entirely. You will also see brands that combine multiple sweeteners, such as stevia with erythritol, to achieve a specific taste profile.

Comparison of Aspartame-Free Sweeteners


Sweetener	Type	Key Features	Taste Profile	Common Brands	Other Notes
Stevia	Natural (plant extract)	Zero calories, often blended with other sweeteners to balance taste.	Can have a slightly bitter or licorice-like aftertaste.	Zevia, Green Cola, Karma Drinks	Derived from the stevia plant.
Sucralose (Splenda)	Artificial	Made from sugar, stable under heat, adds no calories.	Often described as very sugar-like without a bitter aftertaste.	Diet Rite, Monster Energy	600 times sweeter than sugar.
Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K)	Artificial	Works synergistically with other sweeteners to enhance sweetness.	Can have a slightly bitter aftertaste, especially at higher concentrations.	Diet Rite, Monster Energy	Often paired with sucralose.
Monk Fruit Extract	Natural (plant extract)	Zero calories, considered very sweet.	Generally has no aftertaste, though some may notice a slight fruity nuance.	Olipop	Derived from monk fruit, also known as luo han guo.
Allulose	Novel Sugar	Nearly zero calories, tastes like sugar, doesn't spike blood glucose.	Tastes very similar to table sugar.	Some specialty craft sodas.	Relatively new to the market; not required to be listed with sugars.

Conclusion

For those wondering what sugar free sodas have no aspartame, the answer is a growing number of options, from well-established brands like Zevia and Diet Rite to newer, health-conscious offerings like Olipop and other monk fruit or allulose-based products. By paying close attention to product labels, consumers can confidently find a sugar-free drink that meets their specific dietary preferences, whether they are seeking natural sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit or are open to other artificial alternatives like sucralose. The market is evolving to offer more choice than ever, ensuring that an aspartame-free lifestyle doesn't mean sacrificing the fizz.

Frequently Asked Questions

Zevia is a major brand that uses stevia, a natural plant extract, to sweeten its wide range of zero-calorie sodas. Additionally, some smaller, specialty brands also use stevia, like Green Cola and Karma Drinks Sugar Free Cola.

Sucralose, often sold under the brand name Splenda, is an artificial sweetener made from sugar. It is used in many aspartame-free sodas, such as Diet Rite and Monster Energy Sugar Free, often in combination with acesulfame potassium (Ace-K).

Yes, brands like Zevia, Green Cola, and Olipop use natural sweeteners such as stevia and monk fruit extract. When looking for a truly natural option, check the label to ensure no other artificial additives or sweeteners are included.

Some people choose to avoid aspartame due to personal preference or concerns over conflicting research, including the World Health Organization's classification of it as a 'possible carcinogen to humans'. It is also contraindicated for individuals with phenylketonuria (PKU), a rare genetic disorder.

Yes, the taste can vary significantly depending on the sweetener used. For example, stevia can sometimes have a distinct aftertaste, while sucralose is often praised for its sugar-like flavor. The combination of sweeteners also impacts the final taste profile.

To confirm a soda is aspartame-free, check the ingredients list for the word "aspartame" or its common brand names like NutraSweet or Equal. Also, be aware of other sweeteners like sucralose, Ace-K, stevia, or monk fruit, depending on your preferences.

Yes, you can easily make your own aspartame-free soda using sparkling water and natural flavors. Simply add a small amount of liquid stevia, monk fruit, or fruit juice to carbonated water for a custom-made, sugar-free beverage.