Which Diet Sodas Use Stevia as a Sweetener?

You’re standing in the soda aisle, reading labels on a dozen diet cans. You want to avoid aspartame or sucralose. You’ve heard stevia is natural, but none of the big names scream “stevia” on the front. So which diet sodas actually use stevia? And do they taste any good?

This article gives you the straight answers. I’ll name specific brands, explain how much stevia they use, and tell you where the trade-offs are. By the time you finish, you’ll know exactly what to grab and what to skip.

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Why Stevia in Diet Soda?

Stevia comes from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant. It’s calorie-free and doesn’t spike blood sugar. For people who want a diet soda on keto or who just dislike artificial aftertastes, stevia looks like a dream. But there’s a catch: pure stevia extract can taste bitter or licorice-like at high concentrations. Most soda makers blend it with erythritol or monk fruit to smooth out the flavor.

That blend matters. The right ratio makes a soda that tastes close to sugar. The wrong one leaves a weird linger on your tongue. I’ll get into specifics below.

Stevia-Sweetened Diet Sodas: The Major Players

Here are the brands you’re most likely to find in stores. I’ve tested all of them at least twice.

Zevia

Zevia is the most well-known stevia-sweetened soda. Every can uses a stevia leaf extract blend with no artificial sweeteners. They offer 30+ flavors — cola, ginger ale, orange, cream soda, even a black cherry. The sweetness level is noticeably different from regular diet soda: it’s clean, but a little slower to hit your tongue. Some people complain about a mild licorice note in the cola. I think it’s fine, especially if you chill it very cold.

Availability: most grocery chains in the US, plus online.

Virgil’s Zero Sugar

Virgil’s makes a line of zero-sugar sodas sweetened with stevia and erythritol. Their flavors are more complex — think root beer, cream soda, and a black cherry that actually tastes like fruit. The erythritol gives a slight cooling sensation, which is noticeable but not unpleasant. These come in glass bottles, which helps preserve the carbonation.

One downside: they’re pricier than Zevia, and not as widely stocked.

Blue Sky Zero Sugar

Blue Sky, owned by Coca-Cola, launched a zero-sugar line sweetened with stevia. It’s not everywhere — I’ve found it mostly in natural food stores. The cola and ginger ale are decent, but the stevia aftertaste is a bit stronger here. It’s a lighter soda, less syrupy than Zevia.

HINT Fizz

• Sweetener: stevia + monk fruit
• Flavors: watermelon, blackberry, grapefruit
• Taste: very subtle sweetness, almost like a seltzer with a whisper of sugar. If you want bold soda flavor, look elsewhere.

Steaz Zero Sugar

Steaz makes sparkling green teas and sodas sweetened with stevia. Their root beer and cola are solid, but the green tea versions are where they shine — less sweet, more herbal. Available in select health markets.

What to Expect: Taste, Aftertaste, and Sweetness

Stevia isn’t a perfect sugar clone. The sweetness hits slower and fades faster. It can leave a bitter or metallic trail if the concentration is too high. Here’s what I’ve learned from drinking dozens of these sodas:

• Cola flavors are the hardest to pull off. The stevia notes clash with the caramel and spice. Zevia’s cola is okay; Virgil’s is better.
• Fruit flavors mask the stevia aftertaste much better. Lemon, lime, berry, and grapefruit work great. If you’re new to stevia soda, start with a fruit flavor.
• Blended sweeteners (stevia + erythritol or monk fruit) taste cleaner than stevia alone. Erythritol adds a cooling effect; monk fruit rounds out the bitterness.
• Temperature matters. Serve these sodas ice-cold. Warm stevia soda tastes noticeably more bitter.

Comparison Table: Stevia-Sweetened Diet Sodas

How to Spot a Stevia Diet Soda on the Shelf

Don’t trust the front label. “Natural” or “zero sugar” doesn’t guarantee stevia. Flip the can and read ingredients. Stevia will appear as “stevia leaf extract,” “Reb A,” or “steviol glycosides.” If you see aspartame, sucralose, acesulfame K, or saccharin, that’s not stevia. Also check for erythritol — it often pairs with stevia to improve taste.

Some brands like Coke Zero Sugar and Diet Pepsi do not use stevia at all. If you need a complete list of sodas that avoid aspartame, see our guide on what diet soda does not contain aspartame — many of those use stevia or monk fruit instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Coca-Cola or Pepsi make a stevia-sweetened diet soda?

Not in the US. Coca-Cola Life (which used stevia) was discontinued. Pepsi True, with stevia, also disappeared. Both companies now stick with aspartame and sucralose for their main diet lines. If you want a stevia cola, you need a smaller brand like Zevia or Virgil’s.

Is stevia diet soda actually zero sugar?

Yes, for all the brands listed above. Each can contains less than 0.5g sugar per serving, so they legally call it zero sugar. The FDA allows that threshold. No hidden sugar alcohols affect blood glucose significantly, though erythritol can cause mild digestive upset in some people.

Does stevia diet soda cause acne?

Stevia itself doesn’t trigger acne in most people. But some diet sodas contain other ingredients (citric acid, preservatives) that might irritate sensitive skin. If you struggle with breakouts, check out our article on does diet soda cause acne for a deeper dive. Short version: for most, switching from regular soda to stevia soda improves skin clarity.

Do stevia-sweetened sodas taste like regular diet soda?

No. They taste different. Regular diet soda uses artificial sweeteners that mimic sugar’s intensity and speed. Stevia is slower, less cloying, and sometimes leaves a bitter tail. Some people prefer it; others hate it. Fruit flavors bridge the gap better than cola or root beer.

Can you drink stevia diet soda on a keto diet?

Yes. Stevia has zero net carbs and doesn’t affect ketosis. However, some brands add erythritol, which is also keto-friendly. Watch out for any side flavors that might contain maltodextrin (rare in these brands, but check). For more details, see our guide on diet soda and keto.

Things to Do Now

• Start with fruit-flavored stevia sodas if you’re new — they mask aftertaste best.
• Read the ingredient list every time. “Zero sugar” can still mean aspartame.
• Try a variety pack before committing to one brand. The Diet Soda Sampler Pack is a smart way to sample.
• Serve all stevia sodas ice cold — warmth exaggerates bitterness.
• If you dislike the aftertaste, look for blends with erythritol or monk fruit.
• Don’t expect a perfect sugar replica. Accept that stevia sodas have their own flavor profile.
• Store them upright and away from heat. Glass bottles keep carbonation better than cans.