Which Coca-Cola Product Uses Stevia?

December 13, 2025 •

2 min read

In 2013, Coca-Cola introduced a new product to the market that featured stevia, a natural, plant-derived sweetener. This launch was part of a strategy to offer lower-calorie alternatives, but many consumers are still unsure which Coca-Cola product uses stevia today. This article clarifies the past and present use of this ingredient within the Coca-Cola lineup.

Quick Summary

This article explores Coca-Cola's use of stevia, detailing the now-discontinued product that prominently featured the natural sweetener and discussing current beverages that might contain it.

Key Points

Coca-Cola Life: The primary Coca-Cola branded cola that used a blend of stevia and sugar, known for its green label.
Discontinued Product: Coca-Cola Life was phased out in most major markets by 2020 due to low sales and stronger consumer preference for zero-calorie options like Coke Zero Sugar.
Strategic Shift: The company moved away from the mid-calorie soda market to focus on its more successful zero-sugar lines.
Other Brands: Stevia is still used in other products within the Coca-Cola portfolio, such as certain variations of Sprite and Vitaminwater.
Regional Variations: In some countries, like Australia and New Zealand, a specific "Coca-Cola with Stevia" was introduced to replace Coke Life.
Flavor Challenges: While stevia has improved, early formulations had an aftertaste, and recreating the classic Coke flavor with natural sweeteners remains a challenge.
Consumer Preference: Market trends have shown a clear consumer preference for zero-calorie, zero-sugar beverages over mid-calorie blends.
Ongoing Innovation: The company continues to research and use natural sweeteners like stevia in its broader range of beverages.

The Rise and Fall of Coca-Cola Life

Coca-Cola Life was the most prominent Coca-Cola branded cola that used stevia, introduced in 2013 as a mid-calorie option. It combined cane sugar and stevia leaf extract, resulting in 35% fewer calories than classic Coca-Cola. Despite its global launch, it was discontinued in most markets by 2020 due to low sales, as consumers preferred zero-calorie alternatives like Coke Zero.

Stevia's Use Beyond Coca-Cola Life

The Coca-Cola Company has incorporated stevia into other beverages in its portfolio to reduce sugar. Examples include "Coca-Cola with Stevia" in markets like Australia and New Zealand, and certain varieties of Sprite and glaceau vitaminwater in various regions.

Why Did Coca-Cola Stop Using Stevia in Its Flagship Products?

Discontinuing Coca-Cola Life was mainly due to poor sales performance compared to zero-sugar options like Coke Zero Sugar, which use artificial sweeteners. Another challenge was achieving a desirable flavor profile with stevia, as early formulations often had an aftertaste. The company ultimately focused on its most popular products, particularly those with zero sugar.

Comparison: Stevia vs. Other Coca-Cola Sweeteners


Feature	Coca-Cola Life (Stevia & Sugar)	Coke Zero Sugar (Aspartame & Ace-K)	Coca-Cola Classic (High Fructose Corn Syrup / Sugar)
Sweetener Type	Natural blend of Stevia extract and cane sugar	Artificial sweeteners (aspartame, acesulfame potassium)	Traditional sugar/HFCS
Calories	Mid-calorie (approx. 90 per 12oz)	Zero calories	Full-calorie (approx. 140 per 12oz)
Sweetness Origin	Plant-based (stevia) and plant-based (sugar)	Synthetic	Plant-based (sugar cane or corn)
Flavor Profile	Often described as slightly less sweet with a unique, sometimes disliked, aftertaste	Tries to closely mimic classic Coca-Cola flavor profile	The original, classic, full-sugar flavor
Availability	Discontinued in most markets	Widely available globally	Widely available globally

A Broader Look at Stevia in the Beverage Industry

Stevia became a popular sweetener in the beverage industry after gaining FDA's GRAS status in 2008. Many companies, including Coca-Cola, explored its use to reduce sugar, but faced flavor challenges similar to those with Coca-Cola Life. Ongoing research continues to improve stevia's taste.

What's Next for Stevia and Coca-Cola?

While Coca-Cola Life is gone, stevia is still used in other products within the company's portfolio. Coca-Cola continues to innovate for low-sugar options, and stevia remains a part of this strategy, albeit focused more strategically across different beverage categories rather than a flagship cola.

Conclusion

The primary Coca-Cola product that used stevia was the discontinued Coca-Cola Life. Launched as a mid-calorie option, it was phased out by 2020 due to poor sales, as consumers favored zero-calorie drinks. However, stevia is still used in other Coca-Cola Company beverages like some regional colas, Sprite, and Vitaminwater. This reflects the company's efforts to adapt to consumer demand for zero-sugar options.

For more information on the ingredients in Coca-Cola products, you can visit the official Coca-Cola Product Facts website.

Frequently Asked Questions

The specific cola branded as Coca-Cola Life, which used stevia, was discontinued in most markets by 2020. However, the Coca-Cola Company still uses stevia in other beverages within its portfolio, such as certain varieties of Sprite or Vitaminwater, depending on the region.

Coca-Cola Life was a mid-calorie cola launched in 2013, sweetened with a blend of stevia leaf extract and cane sugar. It was marketed as a more natural alternative with 35% fewer calories than standard Coca-Cola, but was later discontinued.

Coca-Cola Life was discontinued primarily due to underperforming sales. The company found that consumers preferred either the full-sugar original formula or the zero-calorie alternatives like Coke Zero Sugar and Diet Coke, leaving the mid-calorie segment unpopular.

In most markets, no single product directly replaced Coca-Cola Life. The company instead shifted its marketing focus and resources to growing its popular zero-sugar brands, particularly Coke Zero Sugar, which uses artificial sweeteners rather than stevia.

The Coca-Cola Company has used stevia in various products, including certain versions of Sprite and glaceau vitaminwater. The exact products and formulations can vary by country and market.

Yes, stevia is a natural, plant-derived, zero-calorie sweetener. It is extracted from the leaves of the stevia plant (Stevia rebaudiana), which is native to South America.

Yes, following the poor reception of Coca-Cola Life, the company experimented with a version called "Coca-Cola with Stevia" in some markets, like Australia and New Zealand. This product contained even less sugar than Coke Life but was also eventually replaced or discontinued.