Best Vegan Carbonated Drinks You Need to Try (My Favorites)

When I started eating more plant-based food and paying attention to what’s really in the stuff I drink, I had to ask myself, are carbonated drinks vegan? The answer surprised me – Some are, some aren’t.

That’s when I went on a full-on mission to find the best vegan carbonated drinks out there.

Now I want to share what I learned and tried — the good, the bad, and the super tasty. If you’re looking for fizzy drinks that are cruelty-free and 100% plant-based, I’ve got you covered.

I’ll even share my top 5 favorite vegan sodas and some DIY fizzy drink ideas too.

What Makes a Carbonated Drink Vegan?

At first, I thought, “It’s just soda. How can it not be vegan?” But once I did some digging, I found out that some sodas sneak in animal-based ingredients. Crazy, right? Here’s what I learned.

Ingredients That Make Sodas Non-Vegan:

Ingredient	Why It’s Not Vegan
Honey	Some “natural” sodas use honey instead of sugar.
Cochineal/Carmine	Red dye made from crushed bugs.
Gelatin or Fish Bladders	Used in some clearing processes (mostly in alcoholic drinks, but still worth noting).
Lactose or Dairy Derivatives	Rare, but found in creamy sodas or malts.
Bone Char in Sugar	Some sugar is processed with animal bones—gray area for strict vegans.

When I saw this, I realized I had to check labels or stick to brands that are proudly vegan. Some companies clearly label their drinks as vegan. Others? Not so much.

Popular Vegan Carbonated Drinks (I’ve Tried These Myself!)

I tried tons of fizzy drinks, from big brands to small-batch sodas. Some blew me away, and some tasted like sugary syrup. Here are the most popular Vegan Carbonated Drinks, broken down into categories.

1. Mainstream Vegan Sodas

Good news! Some big-name sodas are already vegan. I’ve checked these out, and they’re easy to find at any store.

Soda Brand	Vegan Status & My Take
Coca-Cola Classic	100% vegan. I grab this at restaurants when I want something familiar and fizzy.
Pepsi	Vegan too, but sweeter than Coke. I prefer Coke, but some folks love Pepsi’s taste.
Sprite & Fanta	Both are vegan. Fanta’s ingredients vary by country, so I always double-check when abroad.
Mountain Dew	Vegan in the U.S. I always check labels if I’m traveling, just to be safe.

Note: Some of these may have processed sugar, which, like I said, could involve bone char. Most vegans don’t sweat it, but it’s your call.

2. Healthy Vegan Sodas (Low Sugar, Natural Ingredients)

I love these because they’re not just vegan — they’re better for your body too.

Healthy Vegan Soda	Why I Love It
Olipop	Sweet but light. Has prebiotics. Strawberry Vanilla is my favorite flavor.
Poppi	Made with apple cider vinegar, but smooth. Ginger Lime is great after meals.
Zevia	Stevia-sweetened, zero calories. I reach for Cream Soda when cutting sugar.

3. Craft & Small-Batch Vegan Sodas

These are for the flavor adventurers. I love trying new ones from local shops or online.

Craft Vegan Soda	Why I Love It
Jones Soda	Fun flavors and cool labels. Berry Lemonade is vegan and super refreshing.
Blue Sky	Clean, simple ingredients. The Root Beer is solid and totally vegan.
Virgil’s	Bold, fancy flavors. The Black Cherry I tried was next level good.

My Personal Top 5 Vegan Carbonated Drinks

Alright, here’s where I get real: These are the fizzy drinks I keep going back to. I’ve had dozens, but these 5? That’s why they’re in my fridge right now.

Here are my five best vegan carbonated drinks:

Vegan Drink	Quick Why I Love It
Olipop Strawberry Vanilla	Creamy, fizzy, light, and gut-friendly. No sugar crash.
Zevia Cream Soda	Sweet but light. Zero calories. Great over ice while I work.
Jones Soda Berry Lemonade	Bright blue, tangy-sweet. Fun for weekends or mixing with vodka.
Poppi Ginger Lime	Refreshing and crisp. Helps digestion. Perfect after meals.
Coca-Cola Classic	A timeless classic. Always vegan. Always hits the spot.

Where to Buy Vegan Carbonated Drinks

Here’s where you can buy vegan carbonated drinks:

• Online Stores – Amazon has everything. I also like Thrive Market and the brands’ own websites.
• Grocery Stores – Big chains like Whole Foods, Sprouts, and even Target stock a lot of vegan-friendly sodas.
• Health Food Stores – These are goldmines for craft sodas and unique flavors. I love browsing and finding new ones.

Tip: I always check the ingredient list or look for “vegan” on the label. Some brands even put the vegan logo on the front, which makes life easier.

DIY Vegan Carbonated Drinks (I Make These All the Time)

Sometimes I want something super fresh, and I don’t want to buy a bottle. That’s when I make my own vegan soda.

Here’s my go-to recipe:

Homemade Lemon-Lime Fizz

• 1 cup sparkling water
• Juice of 1/2 lemon and 1/2 lime
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup or agave (totally vegan)
• Ice

Mix it up, pour over ice, and you’ve got a fresh, vegan soda. I also love adding berries or mint for extra flavor.

You can get creative. Use any fruit juice, add sparkling water, and sweeten with something plant-based. That’s it.

If you want to read about a classic vegan soda recipe, then great news. I’ve written another recipe for it. Check out: Easy Vegan Soda Recipe That Takes Five Minutes.

Final Thoughts: Why I Love Vegan Carbonated Drinks

Switching to vegan sodas wasn’t hard, but it made me feel better about what I’m drinking. I’m not just avoiding animal products — I’m also drinking cleaner, healthier stuff.

When I tried Olipop for the first time, I knew I’d never go back to regular soda full-time. I still enjoy a Coke here and there, but now I’ve got options that taste amazing and are good for me too.

If you’re thinking of trying vegan carbonated drinks, go for it. Start with the big brands you know, then try the healthier or craft options.

And if you find a good one I didn’t mention? Let me know.

FAQs About Vegan Carbonated Drinks

Are all sodas vegan?

No, not all sodas are vegan. Some brands use animal-based ingredients like honey for sweetness or red dye made from crushed bugs (called carmine or cochineal) for coloring. Other sodas may use sugar that’s processed with bone char, which strict vegans avoid.

Even though most popular sodas don’t use obvious animal products, there are hidden ingredients you might not expect. That’s why I always check the label or look up the brand online before buying.

Some companies also clearly mark their drinks as vegan, which makes life easier.

Is Coca-Cola vegan?

Yes, Coca-Cola Classic is vegan and doesn’t contain any animal-derived ingredients. It’s one of the most common vegan-friendly sodas you’ll find almost anywhere. I drink it all the time when I’m out at restaurants or need a fizzy fix.

But here’s something important: ingredients can vary in different countries. Some Coke products outside the U.S. might use different colorings or sweeteners, so if you’re traveling, it’s smart to double-check.

What’s the healthiest vegan soda?

In my opinion, Olipop and Poppi are the healthiest vegan sodas I’ve tried. They both have way less sugar than regular sodas and use natural ingredients. Plus, they include prebiotics that support gut health, which is a nice bonus.

I drink Olipop’s Strawberry Vanilla flavor almost daily, and it never feels too heavy or overly sweet. Poppi, especially the Ginger Lime, is super refreshing and helps me feel good after meals.

Is sparkling water vegan?

Yes, sparkling water is 100% vegan. It’s just plain water that’s been carbonated with CO2 to give it bubbles. There are no animal products involved at all. I drink sparkling water every day, especially when I want something fizzy but don’t feel like having a soda.

Brands like LaCroix, Spindrift, and Topo Chico are all vegan-friendly and come in lots of flavors. Just watch out for flavored versions that add sweeteners or extra ingredients.