7 Sodas Made with Fewer Artificial Ingredients
Soda has long been criticized for being filled with artificial sweeteners, colors, and preservatives, but the market is shifting. More brands are creating beverages that cut out synthetic additives while keeping the refreshing fizz people crave. These sodas focus on natural sweeteners, simple ingredient lists, and authentic flavors. Whether you prefer a nostalgic cola, a ginger kick, or a sparkling fruit drink, these options provide the taste of soda without the artificial extras. Here are seven sodas made with fewer artificial ingredients worth adding to your fridge.
1. Zevia
Zevia is one of the best-known better-for-you soda brands, offering a lineup that is free from sugar, calories, and artificial additives. Instead of artificial sweeteners, Zevia relies on stevia, a plant-derived option that provides natural sweetness. The drinks are also clear, avoiding artificial dyes. Flavors include cola, ginger ale, cream soda, and fruit blends, giving it wide appeal. Zevia has become increasingly common in grocery stores, health food markets, and online retailers. For people cutting back on sugar or avoiding chemicals, it provides a fizzy, refreshing choice that still feels indulgent.
2. Hansen’s Natural Soda
Hansen’s Natural Soda has built a reputation as a pioneer in sodas with cleaner labels. Instead of high-fructose corn syrup, Hansen’s uses cane sugar, and the flavors are derived from natural fruit essences. Options like mandarin lime, ginger ale, and black cherry taste more like sparkling juice than processed soft drinks. While Hansen’s sodas still contain sugar, they appeal to people who want to avoid artificial flavors and preservatives. The brand’s long history adds to its credibility, making it a go-to choice for those seeking a more natural-tasting soda experience.
3. Boylan Bottling Co.
Founded in the late 1800s, Boylan Bottling Co. remains a favorite for soda enthusiasts who value tradition and authenticity. The brand is known for using pure cane sugar, natural extracts, and high-quality ingredients. Its sodas come in glass bottles that highlight its vintage appeal, with flavors like birch beer, orange soda, and root beer standing out for their bold, authentic taste. Boylan avoids high-fructose corn syrup and synthetic flavorings, relying on recipes that feel closer to the original formulas of classic sodas. Each sip feels nostalgic while offering a cleaner label.
4. Blue Sky Soda
Blue Sky Soda has been around since the 1970s, focusing on crafting sodas made with cane sugar and natural flavorings. The brand also offers a zero-sugar line sweetened with stevia, giving consumers a choice between traditional sweetness and a lighter option. Blue Sky avoids preservatives and artificial colors, keeping its ingredient list short and recognizable. Though it is now owned by Coca-Cola, the brand has kept its identity as a natural soda alternative. With flavors like black cherry, cola, and ginger ale, Blue Sky provides a straightforward, refreshing option for soda drinkers seeking simplicity.
5. Virgil’s
Virgil’s has carved out a niche with its artisanal sodas that avoid artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. The brand’s root beer is especially well known, brewed with a blend of natural spices and extracts for a layered, complex flavor. Virgil’s also offers sugar-free versions sweetened with natural alternatives like monk fruit and erythritol. Other flavors include cream soda, cola, and orange, all crafted with the same emphasis on quality. For those looking for a soda that feels crafted rather than mass-produced, Virgil’s delivers indulgence with fewer artificial ingredients.
6. Reed’s Ginger Brew
Reed’s Ginger Brew is unique in the soda aisle because it is made with real, fresh ginger root rather than artificial flavoring. Combined with cane sugar or honey, it delivers a strong ginger flavor that is both refreshing and invigorating. The brand also avoids preservatives and high-fructose corn syrup, making it cleaner than many mainstream ginger ales. Flavors like extra ginger, raspberry, and crisp apple offer variety while keeping the ingredient list simple. In addition to taste, the natural ginger provides potential digestive benefits, giving Reed’s an edge as both flavorful and functional.
7. Izze Sparkling Juice
Izze blurs the line between soda and sparkling juice, but it earns its spot thanks to its short, natural ingredient list. Made with sparkling water and juice concentrates, Izze contains no artificial sweeteners, preservatives, or colors. Flavors such as clementine, blackberry, and grapefruit balance natural sweetness with tangy notes. While it does contain natural sugar from fruit juice, Izze appeals to those who want fizz without added chemicals. It has become a popular option for families seeking a soda alternative that still feels fun and flavorful without unnecessary additives.
