Which soda does not contain aspartame?

November 17, 2025 •

4 min read

Over 6,000 food products contain aspartame, making it one of the most common artificial sweeteners on the market. For those looking to avoid it, finding which soda does not contain aspartame can be a challenge, but plenty of options exist, including brands using sweeteners like sucralose or stevia.

Quick Summary

This article details many soda brands and product lines that are formulated without aspartame, highlighting those sweetened with alternatives like sucralose, stevia, or monk fruit. It provides a helpful comparison and lists naturally sweetened options.

Key Points

Check Labels: Always read the ingredient list for 'aspartame' or its E number 'E951' to ensure the product is free of the sweetener.
Popular Alternatives: Look for brands like Zevia (stevia-based), Diet Rite (sucralose-based), and Virgil's Zero Sugar (stevia and erythritol) for aspartame-free options.
Natural Options: Sodas like Olipop use natural sweeteners like stevia and apple juice concentrate.
DIY Sodas: Create your own aspartame-free soda by mixing sparkling water with fruit juice or flavor extracts.
Seek Alternatives: If avoiding artificial sweeteners entirely, opt for plain sparkling water, natural flavored seltzers, or homemade recipes.
PKU Warning: Individuals with phenylketonuria (PKU) must avoid aspartame and products containing it, which are labeled with a 'contains phenylalanine' warning.
Newer Formulations: Some major brands have experimented with aspartame-free versions, like the now-discontinued Diet Coke with Splenda, so check recent product lines.

Aspartame-Free Choices: The Rise of Alternative Sweeteners

Aspartame has been a popular sugar substitute for decades, used in countless diet and zero-sugar products for its potent sweetness without the calories. However, increasing consumer awareness about ingredients has led many to seek out beverages free from this particular artificial sweetener. Fortunately, the market has responded with numerous alternatives, leveraging other non-nutritive sweeteners and natural extracts to achieve a sweet taste.

Major Brands and Their Aspartame-Free Sodas

Several mainstream soda companies have expanded their offerings to cater to consumers avoiding aspartame. While many core "diet" products rely on it, some specific lines use different sweeteners.

Coca-Cola Life: This now-discontinued product was a notable blend of cane sugar and stevia leaf extract. Though it is no longer widely available, it marked a move towards natural sweeteners. Coca-Cola's regular products like Coca-Cola Classic use sugar or high fructose corn syrup and are inherently aspartame-free.
Diet Coke with Splenda: Formerly available, this version used sucralose (marketed as Splenda) instead of aspartame before it was discontinued. The company often adjusts its sweetener formulations based on market trends.
Pepsi One: This product has historically used a mix of acesulfame potassium and sucralose, providing a sugar-free option without aspartame.
Diet Rite: A long-standing player in the aspartame-free space, this brand uses a blend of sucralose and acesulfame potassium for its signature flavor.

Boutique and Health-Focused Brands

Beyond the mainstream giants, many smaller and health-focused beverage companies have built their entire model around natural, aspartame-free sweeteners. These brands often appeal to a niche market looking for cleaner labels and more natural ingredients.

Zevia: Perhaps one of the most well-known examples, Zevia offers a full lineup of zero-calorie sodas sweetened exclusively with stevia leaf extract. Their flavor range is extensive, including classic cola, ginger ale, cream soda, and various fruit options.
Olipop: This prebiotic soda brand sweetens its vintage cola and other flavors with a blend of stevia leaf extract and apple juice concentrate. Olipop is also notable for containing added fiber to support gut health.
Virgil's Zero Sugar: This brand provides a range of zero-sugar sodas, including root beer and cola, using a combination of stevia and erythritol as sweeteners.
Reed's Real Ginger Ale Zero Sugar: For those who prefer a spicier, more traditional ginger ale, Reed's offers a zero-sugar option that avoids aspartame.
365 by Whole Foods Market Zero Calorie Cola: This house brand also uses stevia leaf extract to create a cola flavor without the controversial additive.

The DIY Route: Making Your Own Soda

For ultimate control over ingredients, making soda at home is a popular and straightforward option. This method ensures no artificial sweeteners are included and allows for creative flavor combinations.

Sparkling water with fruit juice: Combining sparkling or club soda with a splash of natural fruit juice provides flavor without any added artificial ingredients.
Stevia-sweetened recipes: Many online recipes exist for creating homemade sodas using stevia drops, fruit purees, and sparkling water.
Flavored seltzers: Opting for plain or naturally flavored seltzers from brands like Aura Bora or other carbonated water companies gives you the fizz without any sweeteners at all.

Comparison of Aspartame-Free Sweetener Alternatives


Sweetener	Sweetness Level (vs. Sugar)	Common Brands	Pros	Cons
Sucralose (Splenda)	~600x	Diet Rite, Pepsi One	No-calorie, stable taste profile, widely available.	Artificial, some concerns about gut bacteria disruption.
Stevia Leaf Extract	~200-400x	Zevia, Olipop	Natural, zero-calorie, plant-derived.	May have a slightly bitter or licorice-like aftertaste for some.
Erythritol	~60-70%	Virgil's Zero Sugar	Natural sugar alcohol, almost no calories, non-laxative in most cases.	Potential cooling sensation in the mouth, possible GI distress in high amounts.
Monk Fruit Extract	~100-250x	Many boutique brands	Natural, zero-calorie, no aftertaste.	Often more expensive, less widely used in large-scale soda production.
Cane Sugar/HFCS	1x	Coca-Cola Classic, Pepsi	Natural source, familiar taste.	High calories, high glycemic index, can impact blood sugar.

Conclusion

Finding which soda does not contain aspartame has become much easier thanks to a growing market of alternatives. Whether you prefer a popular brand like Diet Rite or seek a more niche, naturally sweetened option like Zevia, there are many aspartame-free sodas available. The best choice depends on your personal taste preferences and health goals, with options ranging from artificially sweetened zero-calorie beverages to naturally sweetened sodas and DIY sparkling water concoctions. Always check the ingredient label for the specific sweetener used to ensure it aligns with your needs, especially if you have a condition like phenylketonuria (PKU), which requires avoiding aspartame completely.

Additional Resources

For further information on food additives and sweeteners, you can refer to the FDA's official page on Aspartame and other sweeteners.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, the standard versions of Diet Coke are sweetened with aspartame. While a version sweetened with Splenda was once available, it has been discontinued, so most Diet Coke products contain aspartame.

No, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar is sweetened with a blend of aspartame and acesulfame potassium (Ace-K). It is not an aspartame-free option.

Zevia sodas are sweetened exclusively with stevia leaf extract. Stevia is a natural, plant-derived, zero-calorie sweetener.

Yes, Pepsi has offered aspartame-free options. While some older reformulated versions existed, brands like Pepsi One use alternative sweeteners like sucralose.

Yes, Diet Rite is one of the original diet sodas formulated without aspartame. It is sweetened with sucralose and acesulfame potassium (Ace-K).

Aspartame is an artificial sweetener made from two amino acids, while sucralose (Splenda) is an artificial sweetener created by modifying sugar. Both are used to create zero-calorie or diet drinks without sugar.

Individuals with the rare genetic disorder phenylketonuria (PKU) must strictly avoid aspartame, as their bodies cannot properly process one of its components, phenylalanine.

The availability of diet sodas with Splenda can vary. While some specific products, like Diet Coke with Splenda, have been discontinued, other brands or products may still use sucralose as a sweetener.