What Water Flavoring Does Not Have Aspartame?

October 12, 2025 •

4 min read

Over 200 million people in the United States consume diet sodas and other products sweetened with aspartame. However, if you are among those seeking a water flavoring that does not have aspartame, many excellent alternatives exist that rely on natural or alternative sweeteners for a delicious taste.

Quick Summary

This guide provides a comprehensive list of commercial water flavorings that are free of aspartame, utilizing natural sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit. It also details how to create your own flavorful water infusions at home with fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs.

Key Points

Stevia-Based Products: Brands like Stur and True Citrus offer water flavorings sweetened with stevia as a natural alternative to aspartame.
Monk Fruit Sweetener: Monk fruit extract is a plant-based, zero-calorie alternative used in liquid drops by brands like Lakanto.
Homemade Fruit Infusions: The healthiest and most natural option is to infuse water with fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs like lemons, berries, mint, and cucumber.
Check Product Labels: Always read the ingredients, as some popular brands may offer aspartame-free versions alongside regular ones, such as certain Welch's or Great Value products.
Liquid vs. Powder: Both liquid drops (like Stur) and powder packets (like True Citrus) are available without aspartame, allowing you to choose based on your preferred format.
Juice Splash: Adding a splash of 100% fruit juice, like cranberry or pomegranate, provides natural flavor and sweetness to plain or sparkling water.

Aspartame-Free Water Flavoring Options

For those looking to avoid aspartame, a variety of commercially available products offer tasty and convenient solutions. These options use alternative sweeteners or real fruit extracts to achieve their flavor profiles.

Commercially Available Brands

Stur Liquid Water Enhancer

Stur is a popular liquid water enhancer that explicitly states its products are free of aspartame, sucralose, and artificial dyes.

Sweetener: Stevia
Key Features: Comes in a variety of fruit flavors and is a liquid concentrate, making it easy to adjust the flavor intensity.

True Citrus Products

True Citrus offers a wide range of water enhancer packets, including True Lemon, True Lime, and True Orange.

Sweetener: Stevia or unsweetened
Key Features: Made with crystallized citrus and real fruit juices. Many varieties are sweetened with stevia, while others offer a zero-calorie, unsweetened option for a pure fruit flavor.

Welch's Singles to Go (Check Label)

Some varieties of Welch's Singles to Go are explicitly labeled as being aspartame-free.

Sweetener: Varies by flavor; always check the label for confirmation.
Key Features: Offers classic juice-like flavors in a convenient, powdered packet format.

SweetLeaf Water Drops

SweetLeaf provides liquid water enhancer drops sweetened with stevia and monk fruit extract.

Sweetener: Stevia and monk fruit
Key Features: Offers natural, sugar-free flavoring in a dropper bottle for customizable sweetness.

Lakanto Monk Fruit Drops

Lakanto offers liquid monk fruit extract drops designed to sweeten beverages naturally.

Sweetener: Monk fruit extract
Key Features: A versatile sweetener that can be added to water, coffee, or tea. Some versions are erythritol-free.

Homemade Water Flavoring

Creating your own flavored water at home is a simple, cost-effective way to guarantee no aspartame or other artificial additives.

Infusing with Fruits and Herbs: Add sliced fruits like lemons, limes, berries, or cucumber to a pitcher of water. For a more complex flavor, add fresh herbs such as mint, basil, or rosemary. Allow the mixture to infuse for a few hours in the refrigerator for best results.
Adding 100% Juice: A small splash of a 100% fruit juice, like cranberry or pomegranate, can add natural sweetness and flavor to plain or sparkling water.
DIY Syrups: Create a simple syrup using a plant-based sweetener like monk fruit by simmering the sweetener with water until dissolved. This creates a potent, smooth liquid sweetener that can be added to water. A tiny amount of xanthan gum can prevent crystallization.

Comparison of Aspartame-Free Water Flavorings


Feature	Stur	True Citrus	SweetLeaf	Homemade Infusions
Sweetener	Stevia	Stevia, Unsweetened	Stevia, Monk Fruit	Fruit's Natural Sugar
Form	Liquid Drops	Powder Packets	Liquid Drops	Whole Ingredients
Sweetness Level	Customizable	Customizable	Customizable	Low to None
Convenience	High (Portable Bottle)	High (Portable Packets)	High (Portable Bottle)	Low (Requires Prep)
Natural Flavors	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Best For	On-the-go users needing a variety of flavors.	Those who prefer powdered formats and real fruit essence.	Users wanting stevia/monk fruit blend in liquid form.	The most natural and chemical-free hydration possible.

Natural Sweeteners Beyond Aspartame

Understanding the natural sweeteners used in aspartame-free products can help you find the best fit for your taste and dietary needs.

Stevia

Origin: Derived from the leaves of the stevia plant, which is native to South America.
Sweetness: Can be 300 to 400 times sweeter than sugar.
Note: Some stevia products can have a slight aftertaste, which some manufacturers counteract by blending it with a small amount of sugar or other sweeteners. Pure, non-GMO stevia uses water-based extraction methods.

Monk Fruit

Origin: Extracted from the monk fruit (lo han guo), a small melon native to southern China.
Sweetness: Up to 250 times sweeter than sugar.
Note: Monk fruit extract has no calories or carbs and provides a clean, neutral sweetness without the bitter aftertaste sometimes associated with stevia. It is often used in combination with other ingredients.

The Verdict on Aspartame-Free Flavoring

Choosing a water flavoring that does not have aspartame is a simple and beneficial decision for many people. Fortunately, the market is rich with excellent alternatives, from pre-packaged commercial products to simple, wholesome homemade recipes. For instant, on-the-go flavor, brands like Stur, True Citrus, and SweetLeaf offer convenient liquid drops or powder packets. However, for the purest and most natural option, infusing water with fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs is the ultimate choice. Regardless of your preference, it is always recommended to check product labels to confirm the ingredients and ensure they align with your health goals. Experimenting with different brands and homemade combinations can help you find a delicious, aspartame-free way to stay hydrated and energized.

Visit Ochsner Health for more information on aspartame-free alternatives to common products.

Frequently Asked Questions

Aspartame is an artificial, zero-calorie sweetener often used in diet sodas and drink mixes. Some people choose to avoid it due to concerns about side effects like headaches, and an aftertaste that some find unpleasant.

Stevia is derived from a plant, and some manufacturers use water-based extraction to keep the process natural. However, depending on the brand, some products may still contain other ingredients, so it's best to read the label if you have specific concerns.

You can find liquid water drops sweetened with monk fruit extract from brands like Lakanto and SweetLeaf on online retailers like Amazon and in some natural food stores.

Yes, adding a small splash of 100% fruit juice to a larger volume of water is a great way to add flavor and a touch of sweetness without the high sugar content of drinking straight juice.

Some of the easiest and most popular homemade infusions include slicing lemons and cucumbers, adding fresh mint, or combining berries with a citrus fruit.

No, many sugar-free options use alternative sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit instead of aspartame. Always check the ingredient list on the packaging to be sure.

Yes, several brands, including True Lemon Kids, offer low-sugar, aspartame-free powdered drink mixes for children. Homemade infusions are also a safe and healthy option.