Which Diet Sodas Have No Aspartame? A Comprehensive Guide

November 15, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a 2023 evaluation by the World Health Organization's IARC, aspartame is classified as a possible carcinogen, leading many consumers to wonder which diet sodas have no aspartame. This growing awareness of artificial sweeteners has fueled a demand for alternatives, making it more important than ever to understand your options for aspartame-free beverages.

Quick Summary

Several diet sodas avoid aspartame, opting for alternative sweeteners like stevia, sucralose, or erythritol. Brands including Zevia, Diet Rite Pure Zero, and Virgil's offer zero-calorie drinks without the controversial ingredient, providing various flavor profiles.

Key Points

Zevia Uses Stevia: This brand is exclusively sweetened with stevia leaf extract, a plant-derived, calorie-free sweetener.
Diet Rite Uses Sucralose: The Pure Zero line of Diet Rite relies on sucralose and acesulfame potassium (Ace-K) for its sweetness.
Virgil's Blends Sweeteners: Virgil's Zero Sugar sodas are sweetened with a mix of stevia and erythritol.
Olipop is a Prebiotic Alternative: This option is naturally sweetened and includes prebiotic fiber, offering health benefits beyond just being sugar-free.
Labels are Crucial: Always read ingredient labels, as many 'zero sugar' sodas still contain aspartame, and some brands offer specific variations that are aspartame-free.

Popular Aspartame-Free Diet Soda Brands

When seeking diet sodas without aspartame, it's crucial to read the ingredients list, as many brands offer specific formulas to cater to consumer preferences. While classic diet sodas often contain aspartame, a new wave of options uses a variety of alternative sweeteners, both artificial and natural.

Zevia: Sweetened with Stevia

Zevia is one of the most widely recognized brands completely free of aspartame. The company uses stevia leaf extract, a plant-derived, calorie-free sweetener, across its entire product line. Zevia offers a vast array of flavors, including cola, ginger ale, root beer, and various fruit-flavored sodas. Taste reviews are mixed, with some enjoying the sweetness while others find it has a distinct aftertaste. For those committed to naturally sourced sweeteners, Zevia is a reliable choice.

Diet Rite Pure Zero: Sucralose and Ace-K

Diet Rite has been a pioneer in the aspartame-free diet soda space for decades. Its Pure Zero line uses a combination of sucralose (marketed as Splenda) and acesulfame potassium (Ace-K) for sweetness. This mix of artificial sweeteners provides a taste profile that many find pleasant and closer to traditional diet soda flavors. Diet Rite offers a few core flavors, such as cola and red raspberry, and is generally easy to find in most major grocery stores.

Virgil's Zero Sugar: Stevia and Erythritol

Known for its craft soda reputation, Virgil's also offers a zero-sugar line sweetened with a blend of stevia and erythritol, a sugar alcohol. This combination creates a rich, full-bodied flavor profile that sets it apart from many other diet sodas. Popular flavors include Root Beer and Black Cherry, which have garnered a following for their natural taste. The use of both stevia and erythritol aims to provide a more rounded sweetness with less of the aftertaste some associate with a single sweetener.

Green Cola: Naturally Sweetened

Another option for those avoiding aspartame is Green Cola, which uses stevia as its primary sweetener. Beyond being aspartame-free, Green Cola also prides itself on containing no preservatives or phosphoric acid. This makes it a popular choice among health-conscious consumers. The brand offers a classic cola taste and other flavors, all naturally sweetened with stevia leaf extract.

Olipop: A Prebiotic Soda Alternative

Olipop is a prebiotic soda sweetened with stevia and other natural ingredients like cassava root fiber. While not a traditional diet soda, it offers a fizzy, flavorful alternative with significantly less sugar and calories. Olipop Vintage Cola is a popular choice for those seeking a healthier, aspartame-free option with added digestive health benefits.

Reading Labels for Aspartame

For consumers looking to avoid aspartame, ingredient lists are your best tool. Aspartame is typically listed by its chemical name, but it can also be listed simply as "aspartame" or sometimes referred to as Equal packets. Always double-check the label, as some brands like Diet Coke and Pepsi Zero Sugar contain aspartame, while specific variations may not. For instance, a now-discontinued version of Diet Coke was sweetened with sucralose, but the standard version still contains aspartame. The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has provided resources for consumers to find alternatives to aspartame.

Comparison of Aspartame-Free Sodas


Brand	Primary Sweetener(s)	Notable Features	Notes on Taste	Availability
Zevia	Stevia	Zero calories, zero sugar, no artificial ingredients	Some report a distinct stevia aftertaste	Widely available online and in stores
Diet Rite Pure Zero	Sucralose, Ace-K	Combines two artificial sweeteners	Closer to traditional diet soda flavor	Common in many major grocery chains
Virgil's Zero Sugar	Stevia, Erythritol	Crafted soda, natural ingredients	Richer, more rounded sweetness	Natural food stores and select retailers
Green Cola	Stevia	No preservatives, no phosphoric acid	Naturally sweetened cola flavor	Online and some health food stores
Olipop	Stevia, Monk Fruit, Cassava Root Fiber	Prebiotic benefits, healthier option	Unique flavor profile, not a traditional soda	Natural food stores and select retailers

Choosing the Right Aspartame-Free Option

When navigating the aspartame-free beverage market, your choice depends on your specific preferences. If your primary goal is avoiding any artificial sweeteners, brands like Zevia, Virgil's, Green Cola, and Olipop are excellent choices, relying on plant-derived ingredients. If you are only concerned with aspartame and don't mind other artificial sweeteners, options like Diet Rite offer a closer taste profile to conventional diet sodas. Many sparkling water brands, like Spindrift and Bubly, are also naturally flavored and contain no sweeteners at all.

Final Verdict on Aspartame-Free Choices

Fortunately, a growing number of companies have recognized the consumer demand for diet sodas with no aspartame, leading to a broader market of alternatives. Whether you prefer the plant-based sweetness of Zevia, the balanced profile of Virgil's, or the established flavor of Diet Rite, there is a zero-calorie option available. Remember to always check the most current product labels, as ingredients can change. This simple step ensures you can enjoy a crisp, refreshing soda without the ingredient you want to avoid.

CSPI Statement on Aspartame

Frequently Asked Questions

No, not all 'zero sugar' sodas are aspartame-free. Many popular brands like Coke Zero Sugar and Pepsi Zero Sugar still contain aspartame, often alongside other artificial sweeteners. It is essential to check the ingredient list on the label.

Stevia is a natural sweetener derived from the stevia plant. It is a calorie-free, plant-based alternative to sugar and artificial sweeteners like aspartame and is generally recognized as safe for consumption.

The standard formulations of Diet Pepsi and Diet Coke contain aspartame. However, specific, often limited-time, product lines like the now-discontinued 'Diet Coke with Splenda' were sweetened differently. Always read the label of the specific product you are buying.

Common sweeteners used in place of aspartame include stevia, sucralose, acesulfame potassium (Ace-K), erythritol, and monk fruit extract. Some brands use a combination of these to create a balanced flavor profile.

Taste varies widely depending on the sweetener used. Sodas with stevia can have a slight aftertaste some people dislike, while those with sucralose often taste closer to traditional diet sodas. Brands using a blend of sweeteners may offer a more complex and balanced flavor.

Many other fizzy drink options are naturally aspartame-free, including sparkling water (like Bubly or Waterloo), kombucha, and flavored seltzers like Spindrift.

Yes, many store-brand and private-label sodas have versions that use sucralose or other alternative sweeteners instead of aspartame. However, sweetener choices vary by retailer and product, so you must always check the label.