8 Diet Coke Alternatives, Reviewed For Quality and Taste

Good & Gather Cherry Cola Caffeinated Sparkling Water (8 pack) ($3)

This beverage, available at Target, is an unsweetened, lightly-flavored sparkling water with hints of cherry at first sniff and sip. It's definitely my favorite of the two sparkling water alternatives on this list. Each can has 35 milligrams of caffeine from green coffee extract and natural flavors that provide the twist. If you're not one for highly-sweetened beverages and love both Diet Coke and seltzer, I recommend trying this alternative as your new go-to — especially given its lower price point in comparison to others on this list.

Favorite Day Kickin' Cola Soda (6 pack) ($6)

Favorite Day is yet another Target brand offering a Diet Coke alternative. In my opinion, it comes in the cutest packaging of the bunch, but it's overly sweet (and I love sweet drinks!). There's a slight chemical-like aftertaste that often comes with most sugar-free sweeteners, which can likely be traced back to the stevia leaf extract and natural flavors that comprise this ingredient list. There are zero calories in this option, but 40 milligrams of sodium and 37 milligrams of caffeine per can. The Favorite Day slogan is "A little bliss in every sip. Guaranteed to be a favorite or your money back," so there's no harm in trying to prove me wrong with this one! Different strokes . . . as they say.

La Croix NiCola LaCola Sparkling Water, 12 Fl Oz (Pack of 8) ($17)

If you're a seltzer lover, this option may be for you. While, in my opinion, it tastes nothing like Diet Coke, La Croix's LaCola is marketed as a naturally essenced sparkling water. It's zero calories with no additives whatsoever. La Croix is known for being caffeine- and gluten-free. I will say, it has a minty scent upon first sniff, unlike the Good & Gather sparkling water on this list, which leans more cherry-smelling.

Poppi Sparkling Prebiotic Soda Classic Cola (12 Pack) ($20, originally $24)

As a brand, Poppi is currently facing a class action lawsuit from a consumer questioning its gut health claims. The can contains only two grams of inulin fiber, which they allege has no real benefits. Flavor-wise, it offers two different soda notes, Classic Cola and Root Beer ($35), the latter of which tastes much more similar to the original soda. The Classic Cola can is super-sweet and less tangy than Diet Coke, boasting 32 milligrams of caffeine, five grams of sugar, and 25 calories. It's sweetened with organic cane sugar, apple juice concentrate, and stevia, and the Root Beer alternative has the exact same specs, albeit way tastier.

Olipop Prebiotic Soda Pop Vintage Cola (Pack of 12) ($30, originally $36)

Olipop is known for being low in sugar at two grams per can and presents itself as a gut-friendly option that supports digestive health, since it contains prebiotics, botanicals, and plant fiber. The Vintage Cola flavor has notes of cinnamon, vanilla, and caramel, which, in my opinion, gives it a sweeter back taste than Diet Coke itself, which is definitely more tangy. Olipop does include 50 milligrams of green tea caffeine, so you'll feel a bit of a boost after enjoying a can. This vegan- and paleo-friendly option is 35 calories per can.

Wild Bill's Diet Cola Soda Classic Craft Soda Pop (12 pack) ($27, originally $32)

Wild Bill's is, in my opinion, the closest-tasting beverage to Diet Coke on this list. While it's caffeine-free, it has notes of cinnamon, vanilla, and nutmeg that mimic the foundational notes of Diet Coke. The drink is also zero-sugar, low sodium (40 milligrams), and gluten-free, though it's made with natural flavor, caramel color, phosphoric acid, and sucralose. Since it's only lightly carbonated, it may be a good cocktail mixer for some, with the brand also offering sarsaparilla, grape, orange cream, vanilla cream, and strawberry cream flavors. Wild Bill's is a small, veteran-owned and operated business and creates flavor profiles meant to spark nostalgia.

Health-Ade SunSip Prebiotic Soda With Benefits (12 Pack) ($34)

Health-Ade's prebiotic soda line comes in several different flavors and contains gut-healthy prebiotic fibers sourced from agave inulin. It's also packed with vitamins C, B6, and B12, as well as zinc and selenium, all of which are said to contribute to your natural glow. SunSip Cherry Cola is sweetened with fruit juice, monk fruit, and cane sugar, with each can containing five grams of sugar and 30 calories. Taste-wise, it has a very potent cherry flavor with a juice-like aftertaste that's definitely not a trait of Diet Coke. However, if you enjoy sparkling juices, this may be perfect for you.

Celsius Sparkling Cola Functional Essential Energy Drink (Pack of 24) ($59)

It's worth mentioning that while we're comparing taste, Celsius is an energy drink, which makes it a different beverage than any other on this list. Celsius is packed with 200 milligrams of caffeine, which is half a day's worth for health adults, according to the FDA. It's recipe is zero-sugar and gluten-free with no aspartame, high fructose corn syrup, or artificial colors. At 10 calories a can, it's meant to help energize, accelerate metabolism, and burn body fat. The flavor itself has a pretty similar aftertaste to the sparkling orange variation, which has always been my favorite. That being said, there's a Diet Coke-like tang that hits with your first sip, but after a while, it starts to develop a classic energy drink profile that can't be denied.

Sarah Wasilak is the associate director of commerce at PS. With plenty of experience in the shopping market, a keen interest in SEO, and 10 years as an editor at the brand, she enjoys writing across the lifestyle and health-and-fitness categories. She has bylines at PS, InStyle, Elle, Refinery29, Who What Wear, Elite Daily, Byrdie, and The Quality Edit and aims to amplify minority voices in all her work.