It “uses a blend of aspartame and acesulfame potassium to achieve its calorie-free status”. No sugar.
Oh, yes! When I was a kid/teenager, I’d regularly see ads like the below; I’d guess that they were co-funded by both companies.
Hear about the ethnic who walked into a bar and ordered a “15”? 
After the sampling that prompted the OP, I bought a case of Sprite without it really registering that I should look for the sugar-free stuff. I already get too much sugar from iced tea and lemonade, as I dislike both the low-sugar and artificially sweetened versions. So the only drinks I have that are sugar-free are Coke Zero and spring water.
Next time I’ll make an effort to find sugar-free Sprite and hope that they’ve hit on a formula that tastes as good as the regular stuff. The Coca Cola company really hit a home run with Coke Zero, which to me tastes just like regular Coke Classic. I’ve never done a blind taste test but the main thing is that it lacks that slightly bitter aftertaste that one often associates with artificial sweeteners. If sugar-free Sprite manages the same balance, it will definitely become a permanent new part of my soft drink rotation along with Coke Zero.
I did not know that. May they list “caffeine” as an ingredient if the concentration is homeopathic, or must it be “caffeine flavour”?
You can get 500 ml bottles of Sprite Zero, with aspartame and other stuff, as well as 7-Up Zero which is similarly sweetened.
Once I tried Caffeine Free Mountain Dew and did not like it because without the caffeine it tasted way too sweet. Apparently the rest of the American market agreed with me because it didn’t sell very well.
I haven’t had a clear lemon lime soda in over a decade but if I had to choose one I’d choose 7 Up. I only prefer Sprite when I can mix it in equal parts with Coke. For some reason blending it with 7 Up doesn’t taste as good.
Thanks! I checked one of our major supermarket chains and they only had Sprite Zero in cans. Another chain does carry the 500 ml bottles, and if the local store has them I’m getting a few to sample, and then stocking up if I like them!
I’m also a Starry fan over the other two, though Cherry 7-Up is definitely better than the flavored Sprites. I find it odd that I never really bothered with Sierra Mist, despite them being the exact same beverage.
@Ludovic I always find this weird. The only taste caffeine could possibly add is a bit of bitterness, but surely that would be easy to replicate. But yeah, I’ve always noticed a difference between the flavor of caffeinated and noncaffeinated varieties.
I assumed though that caffeine-free Mountain Dew is so hard to find more because people want it for the caffeine. They do sell it (at least, the diet kind) but it just seems rare.
They aren’t. They are very similar products both made by Pepsi, and Starry did replace Sierra Mist, but Starry was designed to be more tart and less sweet, with a stronger citrus taste and more citric acid. That’s why I like it; there is more of a citrus fruit taste than the generic sugary sweet taste of 7-Up or Sprite.
Also, I’ve always liked Cherry 7-Up since it was first launched (late 80s), and like it more than any other flavored version of Sprite or 7-Up. (Though as usual, I stick to the no sugar version.)
I love Fresca. There used to be a peach version, it was quite good.
I keep Sprite mini cans in my pantry.
They’re great mixed with Cranberry juice. My urologist suggested this drink.
I still drink Coke mini cans occasionally.
I haven’t tried a 7 Up in many years. IIRC they’re more highly carbonated. Tickles my throat.
I switched to mini cans several years ago. 7.5 oz is plenty of soda. I can’t believe that I used to chug the 20 oz bottles. That’s way too much sugar.
You should try 7-Up Tropical.
Happy to report that I found Sprite Zero Sugar at my closest and most convenient supermarket, but, sadly, only in cans. Not as satisfying as swigging it out of a plastic bottle, but at least I can have a refreshing cold drink without getting sugar overdose! And I still stock Coke Zero.
Tangentially, for some reason apparently due to the ever-changing whims of the Coca Cola company, even the popular Coke Zero is no longer available in the handy 300 ml bottles in which they used to market both regular Coke, Coke Zero, and Diet Coke. Now it’s either cans or big bottles (at least 710 ml).
did that lyric say " . . . the taste of hymen . . ." ? (the Sprite one)
OMG. I listened three times. At 9-10 seconds in, they say " . . . the taste of hymen . . ." !!?!
Before I gave up soda around seven years ago, I drank a shit ton of Sprite. That was my drink. I loved it. My drink now is plain soda water when I am out and the same with a splash of pomegranate juice at home.
Slice was an abomination. Sierra Mist (or 7-Up) were acceptable in a pinch. Starry came after my time.
I wonder if I’d still like Sprite if I tried it today.
It’s “lymon”; a made-up fruit (because the drink has lime and lemon juice; it’s a portmanteau).
Here is a screenshot of an old Sprite commercial showing a “lymon” fruit.
They also sometimes feature the fictional fruit on the can design.
And here is an old commercial explaining the “lymon” fruit.
Oh yes, they definitely say “lymon” the second time. And I’m Gen X, I know all about that. Now go and listen to it.
The sound is pretty clear, I hear them say “lime and lemon” at first, then “lymon” twice. It doesn’t sound like it’s mispronounced or mangled. Very clear “L” sound. It might be your speakers or headphones…?
I really hope so. But subliminal advertising was a big problem back then.
No one could say Un-cola like Geoffrey Holder.
Does anyone remember the Un-deer?