Stevia, a natural, plant-based, zero-calorie sweetener derived from the stevia plant, has become a popular alternative to sugar and artificial sweeteners. The following guide details some of the most common categories of beverages that are sweetened with stevia, including brand examples for easy reference.
Sodas with stevia
For those seeking a sugar-free cola or fruit-flavored soda, several brands have introduced stevia-sweetened options to cater to health-conscious consumers. These products are formulated to replicate the taste of traditional sodas without the calories or sugar content.
- Zevia Zero Sugar Sodas: This brand is known for exclusively using stevia in its wide range of soda flavors, including traditional cola, root beer, and various fruit options.
- Coca-Cola Zero Sugar (in certain markets): Coca-Cola has a history of experimenting with stevia in its diet cola formulas. While often blended with other sweeteners, some versions have included stevia to reduce sugar content, with availability varying by country.
- Green Cola: This brand promotes a natural approach to soda, using stevia leaf extract and natural caffeine from green coffee beans. It contains no aspartame, sugar, or preservatives.
- Langers Zero Craft Soda: This line offers craft-style sodas that are naturally sweetened with stevia and aim to avoid artificial ingredients.
Juices and flavored water with stevia
Beyond traditional sodas, many manufacturers are incorporating stevia into juices, juice blends, and flavored water products. This helps reduce the high sugar content typically found in these categories, appealing to consumers focused on weight management and blood sugar levels.
- Bai Brands: The Bai product line, including its Antioxidant Infusions and Bai Bubbles, uses stevia leaf extract combined with erythritol to deliver a sweet, fruity flavor with no calories.
- Trop50 (by PepsiCo): This juice line offers juice beverages with 50% less sugar and calories than regular orange juice, achieving its sweetness partly through a blend that includes stevia.
- Vitaminwater Zero Sugar: Produced by Coca-Cola, these sugar-free beverages use stevia and monk fruit extract for their sweet flavor profiles.
- True Lemon/True Citrus Water Enhancers: These powdered and liquid drink mixes are designed to be added to water and use stevia as their primary sweetener for various fruit flavors.
Teas and coffee products with stevia
Stevia's versatility extends to both pre-packaged and mixable tea and coffee products, from chilled teas to concentrated flavor drops for home brewing. This allows consumers to enjoy sweet, caffeinated beverages without the added sugar.
- Starbucks Refreshers: These ready-to-drink beverages are sweetened with rebaudioside A, a high-purity stevia leaf extract.
- Fuze Meyer Lemon Black Tea: This iced tea product from Coca-Cola is another example of a major company incorporating stevia into its tea portfolio.
- SweetLeaf Water Drops: SweetLeaf, a major stevia brand, offers a line of flavored liquid drops that can be added to water or other beverages for a sugar-free, customizable sweet taste.
Other beverage categories featuring stevia
Stevia can be found in a variety of other niche and mainstream drink products. Its application is not limited to just one or two categories, but rather is integrated into a wide range of product offerings to meet diverse consumer demands.
- Diet Energy Drinks: Some energy drink brands are shifting away from high-fructose corn syrup and artificial sweeteners by using stevia to sweeten their low-calorie and zero-calorie versions.
- Sports and Fitness Drinks: A number of sports hydration products and protein shakes for fitness enthusiasts are adopting stevia to provide a sweet taste without the sugar-related calorie load.
- Homemade Drinks: For home enthusiasts, adding stevia powder or liquid drops from brands like Truvia, Pure Via, or SweetLeaf allows for complete control over the sweetness of everything from lemonade to iced coffee.
Comparison of popular stevia-sweetened drinks
| Brand | Beverage Type | Key Sweetener(s) | Notable Features | Calorie Count | Aftertaste Notes (Varies by user) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zevia | Zero Sugar Soda | Stevia Leaf Extract | Wide flavor variety, vegan, kosher | 0 | Can have a licorice-like or slightly bitter note |
| Bai | Antioxidant Infusion | Stevia, Erythritol | Added antioxidants, natural flavors | 0-10 (per bottle) | Generally mild, well-balanced sweetness |
| Vitaminwater Zero | Flavored Water | Stevia, Monk Fruit | Added vitamins and minerals | 0 | Can have a slightly mineral or herbal note |
| Green Cola | Cola Soda | Stevia Leaf Extract | Natural caffeine from coffee beans | 0-20 (depending on flavor) | Cleaner cola taste, less of a bitter stevia aftertaste |
| Stur | Water Enhancer | Stevia | Concentrated drops, high in Vitamin C | 0 | Varies by flavor, generally reported as clean |
What to consider when choosing drinks with stevia
When selecting a stevia-sweetened beverage, it is important to check the full ingredient list. Stevia is often blended with other zero-calorie sweeteners like monk fruit or erythritol to create a more balanced and palatable taste profile. While stevia is a natural sweetener, the overall product can still contain other ingredients that may be a concern for some diets, such as preservatives or other additives. Reading labels carefully ensures you are making an informed choice that aligns with your dietary needs and health goals.
Conclusion
As the demand for low-sugar and zero-calorie options continues to grow, stevia has become a prominent sweetener in the beverage market. From fizzy sodas and antioxidant-rich infusions to refreshing flavored waters and teas, a wide variety of drinks have stevia as a natural sugar substitute. With brands like Zevia and Green Cola dedicated entirely to stevia-based products, and larger companies like Coca-Cola and PepsiCo incorporating it into select lines, consumers have an expanding list of choices. By understanding which drinks and brands use stevia, you can make smarter beverage choices that satisfy your sweet tooth without compromising your health objectives. The key is to explore the market and find the product that best suits your taste and nutritional preferences. For further nutritional information, you can always check an organization such as the International Food Information Council Foundation.
