Soda, also known as carbonated soft drinks, is a popular beverage enjoyed around the world. The sweet, bubbly taste of soda comes primarily from added sugar or high fructose corn syrup dissolved in carbonated water. But what specific types of syrup are used to sweeten and flavor sodas? Let’s take a closer look.
Common Sweeteners in Soda
There are two main categories of sweeteners used in sodas:
- Sugar syrups – sucrose (table sugar), fructose, glucose, etc.
- Corn syrups – high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), glucose-fructose syrup, etc.
Sugar syrups are made by dissolving granulated sugar in water to make a concentrated, viscous liquid. The sugar source can be sucrose, fructose, glucose or any combination.
Corn syrups are made from cornstarch and go through an enzymatic process to convert the starch into glucose and fructose sugars. High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) contains a higher fructose to glucose ratio compared to regular corn syrup.
The type and ratio of sugars used affects the sweetness, texture, shelf life and other properties of the soda. Let’s look at the specific syrups used by the major soda companies.
Coca-Cola Syrup
The secret syrup recipe for Coca-Cola is one of the most well-guarded trade secrets in the world. While the exact formula is unknown, it is well established that the main sweetener used in Coke’s syrup is high fructose corn syrup (HFCS).
According to Coca-Cola, their HFCS composition is:
- 55% fructose
- 42% glucose
- 3% higher sugars
This HFCS formulation provides the right balance of sweetness, texture and shelf life stability that Coke desires. In some international markets, sucrose or sugar syrup is used in place of HFCS to sweeten Coca-Cola.
Pepsi Syrup
Like Coke, Pepsi also relies on HFCS as the primary sweetener in its syrup recipe. Up until the 1980s, Pepsi used a sucrose syrup base sweetened with cane sugar. But in 1984, Pepsi switched to HFCS in order to lower manufacturing costs, extending shelf life and obtain a more consistent sweetness profile.
According to Pepsi, their HFCS composition is:
- 55% fructose
- 41% glucose
- 4% higher sugars
This is nearly identical to the HFCS blend used in Coca-Cola. In some markets outside the U.S., Pepsi also uses sucrose syrup or beet sugar to sweeten their beverage recipes.
Other Major Soda Brand Sweeteners
While Coke and Pepsi rely on corn syrup, other top soda brands use a variety of sugar sources:
| Soda Brand | Primary Sweetener |
| Mountain Dew | High fructose corn syrup |
| Sprite | High fructose corn syrup |
| Dr Pepper | High fructose corn syrup |
| Fanta | High fructose corn syrup |
| Root Beer (Barq’s) | Sucrose, beet sugar |
| Ginger Ale (Canada Dry) | High fructose corn syrup |
| 7UP | High fructose corn syrup |
| Sierra Mist | Sucrose, sugar |
As seen above, most major soda brands in the U.S. use HFCS as it provides a cost-effective, optimal sweetness profile. Regional sodas and craft soda producers are more likely to use sucrose, cane sugar or other natural sugar sources.
Impact of Sweeteners on Soda Taste and Health
The type of syrup used to sweeten soda impacts its taste, texture and other properties. Here is a brief comparison:
Taste:
- HFCS – provides sweetness equivalent to sucrose, negligible taste differences
- Sucrose – can have a more pronounced sweetness and sugar flavor
- Glucose – less sweet than sucrose or fructose
- Fructose – sweeter than glucose and sucrose
Texture:
- HFCS and sucrose influence mouthfeel, body, and carbonation similarly
- Higher fructose blends tend to be perceived as thicker or more viscous
Health concerns:
- HFCS and sucrose have essentially the same calorie content and health impacts
- Higher fructose blends may be slightly worse for blood sugar regulation
- Too much of any added sugars can contribute to obesity, diabetes, and other health problems
While the sweetener doesn’t make a huge impact on taste or health, consumers often have strong preferences for cane sugar sodas as they are perceived as more natural and premium.
Specialty and Flavored Soda Syrups
In addition to the base sweetener syrup, sodas contain extra flavorings and ingredients that enhance the taste profile:
- Natural flavors – Extracts from fruits, spices, herbs and other plant sources provide distinctive flavors and aromas.
- Caffeine – Added for taste and as a stimulant. Commonly used in colas and pepper-type sodas.
- Citric acid – Provides tartness and balances sweetness.
- Phosphoric acid – Adds tanginess and acidity.
- Caramel color – Made from caramelized sugar, adds color and subtle flavor.
- Emulsifiers/stabilizers – Helps suspend and distribute flavor oils in the soda syrup.
Unique specialty ingredients are also used in some flavored sodas:
- Orange soda – Oil extracted from orange peel provides citrus flavor.
- Cream soda – Vanilla extract boosts sweet, creamy taste.
- Root beer – Sassafras extract (safrole-free), wintergreen, anise oils provide distinctive flavor.
- Ginger ale – Ginger root extract adds spiciness.
- Colas – Kola nut extract lends signature cola flavor.
So while corn syrup or sugar form the base, natural and artificial flavors transform simple soda syrup into thousands of distinctive, great tasting beverages enjoyed by people worldwide.
Soda Syrup Manufacturing Process
Whether producing HFCS, sucrose or other soda syrup bases, a similar multi-step process is involved:
- Syrup mixing – The sweetener (corn syrup solids, sucrose, etc.) is dissolved in hot water along with flavorings, preservatives and other ingredients in large mixing tanks.
- Filtration – The syrup is passed through filters to remove proteins, fibers and particulates.
- Deaeration – Dissolved air bubbles are removed from the syrup via vacuum deaeration.
- Blending – The final syrup is prepared by blending filtered, deaerated syrup batches. Strict quality control and testing procedures are followed.
- Storage – The completed syrup is stored in large stainless steel tanks prior to bottling.
The exact syrup formula, ingredient sourcing and manufacturing process details are closely guarded trade secrets at major soda companies like Coca-Cola and Pepsi. Only authorized employees can access restricted factory areas where the syrup magic happens.
From Syrup to Fizzy Soda
So how does soda syrup become the carbonated, bubbly beverage we drink? Soda syrup is combined with carbonated water at the point of filling:
- Soda syrup is pumped and metered from storage tanks into the filling operation area.
- Pre-chilled soda water containing precise amounts of carbon dioxide is also pumped in.
- The syrup and soda water are combined and mixed together immediately before being filled into cans, bottles or fountain dispenser tanks. This prevents excessive foaming.
- Filled containers pass through conveyor systems where capping and sealing takes place.
- The carbonated soda beverage is then ready for shipping, storage and consumption.
Getting the ratio of syrup to soda water perfect is critical for great tasting, bubbly soda products at the desired sweetness level. Beverage technologists carefully calibrate filling machines and conduct lab testing to maintain optimal ratios.
Ingredients Listing for Soda with HFCS
Checking the ingredients label on a soda can or bottle reveals more details on what’s inside beyond just the unnamed “syrup.”
Here is a typical label showing ingredients for a HFCS-sweetened soda:
Ingredients: Carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, caramel color, phosphoric acid, natural flavors, caffeine
The listing confirms that HFCS is used as the primary sweetener. Other common ingredients like carbonated water, caramel color, phosphoric acid and natural flavors are also declared.
Any flavors from plant or fruit sources would be labeled as “natural flavor” vs artificial flavors. The exact components of “proprietary natural flavors” are trade secrets and do not have to be revealed. Caffeine content may be specified in milligrams per serving.
So while soda companies don’t publish their secret syrup recipes, the ingredients listings provide useful clues on what goes into sweet, tasty sodas!
Conclusion
Soda obtains its signature sweet, flavored taste predominantly from added syrups dissolved in carbonated water. High fructose corn syrup is the most commonly used sweetener in sodas from major brands like Coca-Cola and Pepsi. Other sodas may be sweetened with sucrose/cane sugar or use specialty ingredients to create unique flavors. While soda syrup formulas are highly guarded secrets, ingredients labeling reveals more about what’s inside your favorite fizzy drinks. So the next time you enjoy a refreshing cola, ginger ale or fruit-flavored soda, think about the complex syrup science happening in each sip!
