Stevia, the noncaloric natural sweetener, has begun to appear with increasing frequency in food products, including beverages. Long used by South American populations as a sweetener, the FDA approved an extract of the plant in 2008 for use as a sugar substitute. If you are interested in cutting calories or in trying a naturally sweetened drink, stevia sweetened sodas are one option, with multiple varieties and flavors to suit different tastes.
Virgil's Diet Sodas
In September 2008, before major beverage companies like Pepsi released their own drinks sweetened with stevia, Reed's Inc. began marketing its Virgil's Zero, a diet root beer that was soon sold in groceries like Whole Foods. The company then followed with other varieties of their low-calorie beverages, including cola and creme soda.
Zevia
Zevia soda, according to the beverage company's website, was the first zero calorie soda to reach the market. The brand makes seven varieties of their stevia sweetened carbonated drinks -- Cola, Ginger Root Beer, "Dr. Zevia," lemon-lime Twist, Ginger Ale, Black Cherry and Orange. Other Zevia sweeteners and flavorings include sugar alcohol erythritol, natural caramel flavoring, tartaric acid, citric acid, kola nut extract, annatto and ginger root.
Blue Sky Free Sodas
The Blue Sky Beverage Company was established in 1980 and began producing all-natural beverages without preservatives, artificial colors or flavors. Blue Sky recently came out with its "Free" line of sodas, which are all noncaloric and sweetened with Truvia-brand stevia. Blue Sky makes these beverages in flavors including Ginger Ale and Cherry Vanilla Creme.
Thomas Kemper Naturally Diet Sodas
Beverage company Thomas Kemper has introduced its own all-natural, zero calorie soda line, all sweetened with stevia. Kemper's Naturally Diet line includes three flavors -- Berry Passionate, Cola and Citrus Bliss. All three are free of artificial sweeteners and additives. The diet sodas also contain erythritol, maltodextrin, phosphoric acid, caramel color and natural flavorings.
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