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Evidence Based7 Exciting Caffeine-Free Sodas

Medically reviewed by Adda Bjarnadottir, MS, RDN (Ice) — Written by SaVanna Shoemaker, MS, RDN, LD on November 8, 2019

You can buy caffeine-free versions of many popular sodas including Coke, Pepsi, and Dr Pepper. And almost all lemon-lime sodas, ginger ales, and carbonated waters are caffeine-free.

If you choose to avoid caffeine, you’re not alone.

Many people eliminate caffeine from their diet due to negative health effects, religious restrictions, pregnancy, headaches, or other health reasons. Others may simply moderate their intake and stick to just one or two caffeinated drinks per day.

However, you may still want to enjoy a fizzy beverage from time to time. Although many soft drinks on the market are caffeinated, several caffeine-free options are available.

Here are 7 exciting caffeine-free sodas.

1. Caffeine-free versions of popular sodas

Some of the most prominent soft drinks in the world are Coke, Pepsi, and Dr Pepper. These dark colas — and their diet versions — contain caffeine.

However, caffeine-free versions exist for each of these drinks, including the diet versions.

The only difference in their ingredients and formula is that no caffeine is added, so you can rest assured that the caffeine-free varieties will taste very similar to the originals.

Still, keep in mind that these drinks are often loaded with sugar and artificial flavors.

summary
You should be able to easily find caffeine-free versions of Coke, Pepsi, Dr Pepper, and their diet spin-offs.

2–4. Clear sodas

Unlike dark colas like Coke and Pepsi, clear sodas are typically colorless — or light enough in color that you can see through them.

They do not contain caramel coloring, which gives dark soft drinks their deep brown hue (1).

There are several varieties of clear soda, most of which are caffeine-free.

2. Lemon-lime soda

Lemon-lime sodas are citrus-flavored and usually caffeine-free. Well-known lemon-lime sodas include Sprite, Sierra Mist, 7 Up, and their diet versions.

However, the lemon-lime sodas Mountain Dew, Diet Mountain Dew, and Surge are caffeinated.

3. Ginger ale

Ginger ale is a ginger-flavored soda often used in mixed drinks or as a home remedy for nausea. It’s naturally caffeine-free (2).

While most ginger ales are artificially flavored, the Canada Dry brand uses real ginger extract to flavor its drink. Smaller companies may also use natural flavors, or even whole ginger root, so check the ingredient list if you’re unsure.

Another well-known ginger-ale manufacturer is Schweppes. Both Canada Dry and Schweppes provide a diet option, both of which are caffeine-free.

4. Carbonated water

Carbonated water, which is always free of caffeine, includes seltzer water, tonic water, club soda, and sparkling water. Some are consumed on their own, while others are used to make mixed drinks.

Seltzer water is plain water that has been carbonated, while tonic water is carbonated and infused with minerals and added sugar.

Meanwhile, club soda is carbonated and contains minerals and added quinine, a compound isolated from cinchona tree bark that gives it a slightly bitter taste (3).

Sparkling water is naturally carbonated spring water, although it often receives additional carbonation before delivery (4).

Any of these drinks may also be sold flavored and sweetened, usually with a zero-calorie sweetener. These varieties are also caffeine-free.

Popular brands of carbonated water include Schweppes, Seagram’s, Perrier, San Pellegrino, LaCroix, Sparkling Ice, and Polar.

summary
Almost all lemon-lime sodas, ginger ales, and carbonated waters are caffeine-free. However, Mountain Dew, Diet Mountain Dew, and Surge harbor caffeine.

5–7. Other caffeine-free sodas

A few other sodas are typically caffeine-free, although these generally pack plenty of sugar and artificial flavors.

5. Root beer

Root beer is a dark, sweet soda traditionally made from the root of the sassafras tree, which gives it its distinct, earthy kick. However, the vast majority of root beer sold today is artificially flavored.

While most root beers (and their diet versions) are caffeine-free, Barq’s regular root beer contains caffeine — though its diet spin-off does not.

Popular caffeine-free brands include Mug and A&W.

6. Cream soda

Cream soda is made to mimic the creamy flavors of vanilla ice cream.

Cream soda comes in two varieties — classic, which is amber-hued, and red cream soda, which is bright red. They taste very similar and are caffeine-free.

Widespread brands include Barq’s, A&W, and Mug.

7. Fruit-flavored sodas

Fruit sodas come in many flavors, though the most common include grape, orange, and grapefruit.

Most fruit sodas are caffeine-free, except for the orange sodas Sunkist and Diet Sunkist.

Popular caffeine-free brands include Fanta, Fresca, Crush, and Slice.

summary
Root beers, cream sodas, and fruit-flavored sodas are usually caffeine-free, but Barq’s regular root beer, Sunkist, and Diet Sunkist are caffeinated.

How to identify caffeine-free sodas

In addition to the sodas discussed above, many other types exist. If you want to know whether your favorite pop contains caffeine, there’s a hard-and-fast way to tell.

In the United States, sodas that contain caffeine are legally required to disclose this information on the label. Even so, manufacturers often leave out the amount of caffeine (5).

Look for the statement “contains caffeine” near the nutrition facts label or ingredient list. If the label doesn’t mention caffeine, it’s safe to assume that your soda is caffeine-free (5).

In addition, many caffeine-free sodas are marketed as such to appeal to people who avoid this stimulant.

summary
In the United States, sodas that contain caffeine must state so on the label. Caffeine-free sodas will not have this disclosure.

The bottom line

Although many soft drinks contain caffeine, several caffeine-free alternatives are available in a wide range of flavors across different brands.

Still, many of these are loaded with sweeteners like high-fructose corn syrup and various additives. If you watch your intake of these substances, you may want to try carbonated water instead.

How we reviewed this article:

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Evidence Based

This article is based on scientific evidence, written by experts and fact checked by experts.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strive to be objective, unbiased, honest and to present both sides of the argument.

This article contains scientific references. The numbers in the parentheses (1, 2, 3) are clickable links to peer-reviewed scientific papers.

Medically reviewed by Adda Bjarnadottir, MS, RDN (Ice) — Written by SaVanna Shoemaker, MS, RDN, LD on November 8, 2019

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1. Caffeine-free versions of popular sodas

2–4. Clear sodas

2. Lemon-lime soda

3. Ginger ale

4. Carbonated water

5–7. Other caffeine-free sodas

5. Root beer

6. Cream soda

7. Fruit-flavored sodas

How to identify caffeine-free sodas

The bottom line

How we reviewed this article:

Evidence Based

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