Which soft drinks have 0 calories?

November 18, 2025 •

4 min read

According to MedlinePlus, many popular beverages have a zero-calorie version available, providing a sweet taste without the sugar content. This offers a practical solution for those looking to reduce their sugar and calorie intake while still enjoying their favorite fizzy flavors. So, which soft drinks have 0 calories, and what are the best options to consider for a healthier lifestyle?

Quick Summary

This guide details a comprehensive list of popular soft drinks that contain zero calories, including major brands and healthier alternatives like sparkling waters. It compares key differences in sweeteners, taste profiles, and nutritional information to help readers make an informed choice.

Key Points

Diverse Options: Many major soft drink brands, such as Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and Dr. Pepper, offer zero-calorie alternatives.
Artificial Sweeteners: Most mainstream diet and zero-calorie soft drinks achieve their sweet taste through artificial sweeteners like aspartame, sucralose, and acesulfame potassium.
Natural Alternatives: Healthier zero-calorie options include flavored sparkling water, herbal teas, and infused water, which use natural essences or plant-based sweeteners.
Taste Difference: Zero-sugar versions often have a slightly different taste profile than their regular counterparts, with some, like Coke Zero Sugar, being closer to the original flavor than others.
No Nutritional Value: While zero-calorie soft drinks offer a taste similar to full-sugar versions, they typically provide no nutritional benefits.
Moderation is Key: Despite being calorie-free, these drinks should be consumed in moderation alongside regular water intake for optimal hydration.
Check Ingredients: It's important to read the labels to understand the specific sweeteners and ingredients used in each product, especially for those sensitive to certain additives.

Popular Mainstream Soft Drinks with 0 Calories

The market is full of options from major beverage manufacturers, making it easy to find a zero-calorie version of your favorite classic soda. These products use artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, sucralose, or acesulfame potassium (Ace-K), to replicate the taste of sugar-sweetened drinks without the caloric load.

Common 0-Calorie Cola Options:

Coca-Cola Zero Sugar: Replaced the original Coke Zero formulation in 2017 with an updated recipe designed to taste even more like classic Coca-Cola, but with zero sugar and zero calories. It uses both aspartame and acesulfame potassium as sweeteners.
Diet Coke: A long-standing staple in the diet soda category, Diet Coke has a distinct, lighter flavor profile compared to Coca-Cola Zero Sugar. It is primarily sweetened with aspartame.
Pepsi Max: Marketed as having maximum flavor without the calories, Pepsi Max is Pepsi's direct competitor to Coke Zero Sugar and is sweetened with acesulfame potassium and sucralose.
Diet Pepsi: Like Diet Coke, Diet Pepsi offers a zero-calorie cola option with a taste profile that differs slightly from its full-sugar and 'Max' counterparts.

Popular 0-Calorie Non-Cola Options:

Sprite Zero Sugar: This zero-calorie version of Sprite provides the same crisp lemon-lime flavor without any sugar.
Diet Dr. Pepper: Delivers the classic 23-flavor blend of Dr. Pepper but without the calories.
Fanta Zero: Many Fanta flavors, such as orange, are available in a zero-calorie version using artificial sweeteners.
Barq's Root Beer Zero Sugar: For root beer fans, this option offers the signature taste without the sugar content.

Healthier Zero-Calorie Alternatives to Soda

For those who want to avoid artificial sweeteners, or are looking for a more natural approach, there is a growing market of healthier zero-calorie drinks that still offer exciting flavor. These beverages are great for hydration and can help curb cravings for sugary sodas.

Sparkling Flavored Water: Brands like AHA, Bubly, and LaCroix offer sparkling waters infused with natural fruit essences. They contain zero calories, zero sugar, and no artificial sweeteners. Some, like AHA and Bubly Bounce, even offer caffeinated versions.
Infused Water: Creating your own infused water is a simple and fresh way to enjoy a calorie-free drink. You can add slices of cucumber, lemon, lime, or berries to plain or sparkling water for a refreshing and natural flavor.
Herbal Tea: Brewed hot or cold, herbal teas like peppermint, ginger, and lemon offer a wide variety of zero-calorie flavor options. They are also packed with antioxidants and other natural compounds.
Unsweetened Iced Tea: For tea lovers, plain black or green iced tea provides a zero-calorie, caffeinated beverage option with a much more natural flavor than many soft drinks.
Kombucha (Zero Sugar): While most traditional kombuchas contain some sugar, a few brands offer zero-sugar versions. These fermented teas provide probiotics and a fizzy, tangy flavor profile.

Comparison of Zero-Calorie Soft Drinks vs. Alternatives


Feature	Mainstream Zero-Calorie Sodas	Healthier Zero-Calorie Alternatives
Sweeteners	Artificial (Aspartame, Sucralose, Ace-K)	Natural Essences, Stevia, Monk Fruit
Taste Profile	Mimics traditional full-sugar soda flavors	Light, subtle, and natural fruit or herbal flavors
Ingredients	Often include artificial flavors, colors, preservatives	Typically contain fewer ingredients, often natural
Taste Intensity	High intensity sweetness	Milder sweetness profile
Cost	Generally more affordable and widely available	Can be more expensive, depending on brand and type
Potential Health Effects	Long-term effects of artificial sweeteners still under research	Generally considered a healthier choice, fewer processed ingredients

Making the Right Choice for Your Lifestyle

Ultimately, the best zero-calorie soft drink for you depends on your personal taste and health goals. If you are a fan of classic soda flavors and don't mind artificial sweeteners, options like Coke Zero Sugar or Diet Dr. Pepper are convenient and calorie-free choices. However, if you are more focused on natural ingredients and want a milder taste, exploring flavored sparkling waters or herbal teas is a great alternative.

For most people, moderation is key. Zero-calorie drinks can be a helpful tool for weight management, but they should not completely replace water. Ensuring you are well-hydrated with water throughout the day is the most important component of a healthy fluid intake.

Conclusion

Many zero-calorie soft drinks are available today, from major brand-name diet sodas to more natural sparkling waters and teas. Brands like Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Diet Coke, and Sprite Zero use artificial sweeteners to provide a familiar taste, while flavored sparkling waters offer a more natural and subtle experience. By understanding the differences in ingredients, taste, and potential health implications, you can confidently choose the right zero-calorie beverage that fits your personal preferences and dietary needs.

Authoritative Outbound Link

For more detailed nutritional information on many sodas, including their zero-calorie versions, you can consult a reliable database such as MedlinePlus.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary difference lies in the flavor profile and sweeteners used. Zero-sugar sodas, like Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, are formulated to taste as close to the original full-sugar version as possible. Diet sodas, like Diet Coke, often have a distinct, lighter flavor that some consumers prefer.

Yes, zero-calorie soft drinks are truly calorie-free. The artificial sweeteners they contain provide a sweet taste without contributing a significant amount of calories, allowing them to be legally labeled as zero-calorie or diet.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), artificial sweeteners found in diet sodas are considered safe for consumption in moderation. However, there has been ongoing research and public debate about their long-term health effects, with some studies suggesting potential issues.

Major brands like Coca-Cola (Zero Sugar, Diet Coke, Sprite Zero), Pepsi (Max, Diet), and Dr. Pepper (Diet) all offer zero-calorie versions of their popular soft drinks. Many flavored sparkling water companies also provide zero-calorie options.

For individuals who consume sugary drinks regularly, switching to zero-calorie alternatives can help reduce overall calorie intake and contribute to weight management. However, some research suggests the intense sweetness may increase cravings for other sweet foods.

Many zero-calorie soft drinks, such as Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Diet Coke, and Pepsi Max, contain caffeine. The caffeine content can vary between brands and products. For those who want to avoid caffeine, many brands also offer caffeine-free diet or zero-sugar options.

Natural zero-calorie options include unsweetened herbal teas, naturally flavored sparkling water (like Bubly or LaCroix), and homemade fruit-infused water. These drinks offer flavor without relying on artificial sweeteners or added sugar.