Lemon-lime soda is one of the favorite beverages worldwide with Sprite and 7Up holding the majority share in the market. It’s no surprise considering they are owned by major beverage companies like Coca-Cola (Sprite) and Keurig Dr. Pepper (7Up).
Nonetheless, some new and exceptional brands have emerged. In addition, there are less popular existing brands that deserve a try if you are looking to move away from the norm.
We’ve curated a list of 15 of the best brands that are worth sampling. Make sure to cast your vote for your preferred brand in our poll at the end of the article!
Brands of Lemon Lime Soda
Sprite
Sprite is one of the classic lemon-lime soda brands that official came out in West Germany in 1959. It was originally bottled by Coca-Cola Germany under the Fanta label and called Fanta Clear Lemon. Coca-Cola brought the soda to the United States in 1961 and sold it under its new American name, Sprite.
Sprite hit the American grocery stores shelves as a competitor to 7-Up who up to that point was the dominant lemon-lime soda. Interestingly, Sprite was initially advertised in the U.S. as a drink mixer and a soda.
Today, Sprite is still extremely relevant in the overall soda world. Coca-Cola states it is the third best-selling soda worldwide. It is a caffeine-free beverage with 140 calories per 12 ounce can.
7UP
7UP was invented back in the 1920s by a man named C.L. Grigg. Grigg already had invented a popular orange soda called Howdy Orange that he manufactured under his company called The Howdy Corporation.
As a way to increase sales, he produced another soda called “Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda” that came out in 1929. This soda soon was wisely renamed to 7UP as it popularity grew. It wasn’t until 1936 that Grigg changed his company’s name to The Seven-Up Company.
Today, 7UP is a brand of Keruig Dr. Pepper/7UP International. Original 7UP is a caffeine-free beverage with 140 calories per 12 ounce can.
Sierra Mist
Update – Sierra Mist is being replaced for Starry featured below. Stock up on Sierra Mist before you no longer can find it if you love the soda!
Sierra Mist was introduced in 1999 by Pepsico. It was released in an attempt for Pepsi to compete with the already strong lemon-lime brands, 7Up and Sprite. By 2004, Sierra Mist was the second most purchased lemon-lime soda (using annual retail sales) behind Sprite.
Sierra Mist has had a few variations in its formula since it launched. It started by being sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup. However, in 2010, it officially changed its name to Sierra Mist Natural and used sucrose as a sweetener instead of high-fructose corn syrup.
In 2013, Pepsico attempted to minimize calories in Sierra Mist and switched the formula to include both stevia and sucrose. This new formula did not go over well with Sierra Mist fans.
In 2016, Sierra Mist was rebranded to Mist Twst with the reintroduction of high-fructose corn syrup as a sweetener. The new name was an attempt to place the focus on the taste rather than the not-so-healthy ingredients.
The Sierra Mist name returned in 2018 and it is now is sweetened with real sugar. It is a caffeine-free beverage with 140 calories per 12-ounce can.
Starry
Starry is a new lemon lime soda made by PepsiCo. It replaces Sierra Mist under a new formula as it looks to gain ground on the dominate lemon soda brand known as Sprite. It is available in regular and sugar-free with both varieties being caffeine-free. PepsiCo describes it as “a crisp, clear burst of lemon lime”. This one is a must-try for any lemon lime soda lover.
Faygo Twist
Faygo is based out of Detroit, Michigan where the people commonly call it pop and not soda. Faygo dates back to 1907 when the company was started by two Russian Immigrants, Ben and Perry Feigenson. The name Faygo is derived from the company’s previous name prior to 1920 which as The Fenigenson Brothers Bottling Works.
The company has over 50 flavors, so if you’re a pop lover, you will likely have a flavor or two that you will enjoy. Faygo Twist is the company’s lemon-lime flavor soda. It is caffeine-free with 130 calories in a 12-ounce can.
Mountain Dew Ice
The original Mountain Dew was introduced in 1940. However, Mountain Dew Ice (officially called Mtn Dew Ice) was recently released in 2018. It is a lemon-lime flavored soda that is stated to be clear and refreshing with a splash of real juice.
What sets Mtn Dew Ice apart from other sodas featured here is the addition of caffeine as an ingredient. A 12 ounce can has a decent amount of caffeine at 54 mg, but a surprising tame 100 calories for a soda.
The Los Angeles Times did a taste of the soda with their editors and found it to taste like a mix of Sprite and Sierra Mist. It’s worth a try if you like these sodas and want a little bonus energy from the caffeine.
Blue Sky
Blue Sky started in 1971 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Its focus is on using all-natural ingredients without the addition of caffeine or high fructose corn syrup. Their sodas are sweetened with pure cane sugar. A 12 ounce can of Blue Sky Lemon Lime has 110 calories. Blue Sky is owned by Coca-Cola.
Shasta Twist
Shasta is a budget-friendly soda brand owned by the parent company, National Beverage since 1985. National Beverage owns other popular beverage brands such as Faygo and La Croix. Shasta dates back 1889 where it began as a mineral springs company. It didn’t start producing soda until 1931.
Shasta Twist is the brand’s lemon lime soda. It has zero caffeine and 100 calories per 12 ounce can.
Zevia Lemon Lime Twist
Zevia is known for making zero-calorie sodas that are sweetened with stevia. The company started in 2007 in response to people seeking no-calorie soft drinks without artificial sweeteners. In addition to soda, the company makes energy drinks, organic tea, mixers, sparkling water, and kidz drinks.
Zevia is worth a try for people seeking a lemon-lime soda brand without sugar, calories, or artificial ingredients. Its lemon and lime flavors come from natural oils.
Bubble Up
Bubble Up is a lemon-lime soda made by Dad’s Root Beer Company. It first came out in 1919 when it was being made by Sweet Valley Products located in Ohio. It didn’t start as a lemon lime soda but as a grape juice. It became a lemon-lime beverage in 1938 when a man named LeRoy Schneeburger bought the trademark and developed the formula.
Bubble Up is now made with real cane sugar without caffeine. One 12 ounce bottle has 160 calories.
Jones Lemon Lime Soda
Jones Soda was started in 1995 with the unique idea to place photos on soda bottles. The company eventually realized that consumer-submitted photos enhanced the brand even more. The lemon-lime soda by Jones is made with cane sugar.
Cawy Lemon Lime Soda
The Cawy Bottling Company started in Cuba in 1948, was nationalized by the communists in 1959, and relaunched in 1962 in the United States by emigrants who were executives at the Cuban-based company. This lemon lime soda brand is made with extracts of lime and lemon oils.
Virgil’s
Virgil’s lemon lime soda is made with the primary ingredients of sparkling filtered water and a sweetener blend made of erythritol and stevia leaf extract. Its a zero calorie beverage perfect for mixed drinks or even enjoying on its own.
Culture Pop
Culture Pop is a caffeine-free probiotic soda brand which contains organic fruit juices, spices, and herbs. It is sweetened with the organic juices alone so there are no artificial sweeteners, sugar alternatives, or even refined sugars to add unneeded calories. The company indicates that the soda is made with the Bacillus Subtilis probiotic strain which is known to for its ability to assist with gastrointestinal health. With only 40 calories per can and its solid ingredients for a soda, this beverage is an excellent choice from the sugary norm.
Olipop
Olipop is a unique soda made with ingredients that support digestive health such as prebiotics, botanical extracts, and plant fiber. The soda provides a healthy amount of fiber at 9 grams per can with only 4 grams of sugar and 50 calories. It is vegan, paleo, gluten-free, and GMO-free. The company describes its taste like key lime pie with a squeeze of lemon. Yum!
The Lemon-Lime Soda Poll
Do you have a favorite lemon-lime soda brand? Vote for your favorite below! The most recent results of the poll will be displayed after you vote.
