Flavoured Water Without Sugar: 6 Options Compared

If you want to drink more water but plain water feels boring, flavouring it without adding sugar is a smart move. Sugary drinks can add dozens of grams of sugar per glass, while sugar-free options let you enjoy taste with almost no calories and no spike in blood glucose. In the UAE, where staying hydrated in the heat is essential, many people look for convenient ways to make water more appealing—whether that means fresh fruit in a jug, a squeeze of syrup, or a splash of sparkling water.

This guide compares six practical options for flavoured water without sugar, explains which ones use sweeteners and which don't, and shows you the pros, cons and rough costs of each.

Why flavour water without sugar?

Added sugar in drinks is one of the easiest sources of excess calories to cut. A single 330 ml can of regular cola contains about 35 g of sugar—roughly nine teaspoons. Swap that for sugar-free flavoured water and you remove those grams entirely while still enjoying a refreshing drink.

For people managing blood glucose, counting calories, or simply trying to reduce sugar intake, sugar-free flavouring makes hydration easier. It is especially helpful in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, where air conditioning, heat and activity mean you need more fluids than you might in a cooler climate. When water tastes good, you drink more of it.

Some readers also want to avoid all sweeteners, not just sugar. We will make clear which options contain non-sugar sweeteners and which are completely sweetener-free.

Six options for flavoured water without sugar

Below is a quick comparison table, followed by detail on each method.

All costs are approximate and depend on brand, retailer and whether you buy in bulk. ZERUP's cost is exact: AED 19 per 65 ml bottle makes about 8 litres (about AED 2.40 per litre), or AED 2.04 per litre with the three-for-AED-49 offer.

1. Fruit or herb infusion

Slice fresh fruit (lemon, lime, cucumber, orange, berries, mint leaves) and add it to a jug or bottle of cold water. Let it sit in the fridge for at least two hours so the flavour infuses.

Pros: No sweetener of any kind. Natural, light taste. You control exactly what goes in. Looks attractive in a glass jug.

Cons: Takes time (infusion needs a few hours). Flavour is subtle, not sweet. Fruit must be fresh and washed. Keeps only about one day in the fridge before the fruit starts to break down. More effort than a quick squeeze of syrup.

Cost: Depends on the fruit. A lemon or lime costs about AED 1–2, a punnet of berries AED 8–12. One lemon can flavour about two litres, so roughly AED 0.50–1.50 per litre.

Best for: Anyone who wants completely natural flavouring with no sweeteners and doesn't mind the prep. Popular combinations include cucumber and mint, lemon and basil, or strawberry and lime.

2. Unsweetened cold-brew tea

Steep tea bags (black, green, herbal, fruit tea) in cold water in the fridge overnight. Strain and serve chilled.

Pros: No sweetener. Wide variety of flavours (mint, hibiscus, peach, berry, chamomile). Very low cost. Easy to make in large batches. Herbal and fruit teas are naturally caffeine-free; black and green tea contain some caffeine if you want it.

Cons: Not sweet. Takes several hours (overnight is easiest). Some people find plain tea too bitter or bland without sugar or sweetener.

Cost: A box of 20–25 tea bags costs about AED 10–20, so roughly AED 0.40–0.80 per litre.

Best for: Tea drinkers who enjoy unsweetened drinks. If you want a sweet iced tea with no sugar, a sugar-free iced tea syrup like ZERUP Peach Iced Tea or Lemon Iced Tea is a faster option.

3. Sparkling water (plain or with natural aroma)

Bottled sparkling water or water from a home carbonation machine. Some brands add natural fruit essence for a hint of flavour without sugar or sweetener.

Pros: No sweetener. Fizz makes it feel more like a soft drink. Instant—no prep. Naturally flavoured sparkling waters (e.g. lime, lemon, berry essence) give a light taste without sweetness.

Cons: Not sweet. Bottles can be expensive and create plastic waste. Home carbonation machines have an upfront cost (AED 300–800) but lower running cost. Plain sparkling water has no flavour unless you add something.

Cost: Bottled sparkling water: AED 2–5 per litre depending on brand. Home machine: gas cylinder cost averages about AED 1–2 per litre once you own the device.

Best for: People who love fizz and want no sweetness. You can combine sparkling water with a squeeze of ZERUP for a sugar-free fizzy drink with flavour—carbonate the water first, then add the syrup to avoid foam.

4. Flavour drops and water enhancers

Small squeeze bottles or dropper bottles that you add to water. Common in the UAE under names like "water flavouring" or "منكهات الماء" (munakihat al-ma'). Brands vary; some are imported, some are local.

Pros: Portable—fits in a bag or pocket. Very concentrated, so one bottle lasts many servings. Sweet taste. Quick to use.

Cons: Almost all contain non-sugar sweeteners (sucralose, acesulfame K, stevia, aspartame—check the label). Quality and flavour vary widely by brand. Some taste artificial. Price per litre can be high for premium imports.

Cost: Rough estimate AED 2–6 per litre of prepared drink, depending on the product and how much you use per glass. Check the label for the recommended dose.

Best for: Convenience and portability. If you want a UAE brand with clear dosing and a wide flavour range, ZERUP is a drink syrup in the same category (see option 6 below).

5. Powder sticks or sachets

Single-serve powder sachets that you stir into a bottle of water. Often marketed for sports hydration or as "water enhancers."

Pros: Pre-measured—no guessing. Portable and lightweight for travel or the gym. Sweet taste. Some include electrolytes or vitamins.

Cons: Nearly all use non-sugar sweeteners (check the ingredients). Can be more expensive per litre than syrups or drops. You need to stir or shake to dissolve the powder. Packaging waste (one sachet per drink).

Cost: Packs of 10–20 sachets typically cost AED 30–80, so roughly AED 3–8 per litre depending on the brand and serving size.

Best for: Gym bags, travel, or anyone who prefers single-serve convenience. If cost per litre matters, a syrup or drop bottle is usually cheaper for daily use at home.

6. Zero-sugar drink syrup (ZERUP by LUVA)

Concentrated liquid syrup that you mix with water. ZERUP by LUVA is a UAE brand designed for this: about 4 ml of syrup (a short squeeze, a little less than a teaspoon) in 500 ml of cold still or sparkling water. One 65 ml bottle makes about 8 litres—roughly 16 glasses of 500 ml.

Pros: Strong, clear flavour in ten varieties (Peach Iced Tea, Lemon Iced Tea, Mango, Blackberry, Green Apple, Blue Raspberry, Dragonfruit Passionfruit, Orange, Cola Orange, First Heaven). Sweet taste, 0 g sugar and almost no calories (approx. 2–3 kcal per 100 ml prepared drink). Very low cost per litre: AED 19 per bottle works out to about AED 2.40 per litre, or about AED 2.04 per litre with the any-three-for-AED-49 offer. Delivered across the UAE within 12 hours. Halal certified and vegan. Caffeine-free (even the iced tea flavours). You can mix two flavours in one glass (about 2 ml of each) for custom combinations.

Cons: Contains non-sugar sweeteners (sucralose and acesulfame K), so not suitable if you want to avoid all sweeteners. Requires a small squeeze bottle or measuring—though once you know the amount it takes seconds. Must be kept closed in the fridge after opening (keeps three months).

Cost: Exactly AED 2.40 per litre (single bottle) or AED 2.04 per litre (three-for-AED-49). One bottle is AED 19 and makes about 16 × 500 ml servings.

Best for: Daily hydration at home, in the office, or at the gym when you want strong, sweet flavour without sugar and at a low cost per litre. If you are new to ZERUP, the Starter Bundle includes all ten flavours plus two tins of creatine gummies for AED 382.20 (35% off).

For more detail on how to use zero-sugar syrups and what to look for, see our zero syrup buyer's guide.

Flavoured water without sugar and without sweeteners

If you want to avoid both sugar and non-sugar sweeteners (sucralose, acesulfame K, stevia, aspartame, etc.), your options are:

• Fruit or herb infusions (option 1)
• Unsweetened tea (option 2)
• Plain or naturally flavoured sparkling water (option 3, as long as the label says "natural aroma" or "essence" only, with no sweetener listed)

All other options—drops, powders and syrups including ZERUP—use non-sugar sweeteners to provide sweetness with almost no calories. That is not a health concern for most people (see our guide Are sweeteners safe? for the evidence), but if you prefer to avoid them entirely, stick to infusions, tea or plain fizzy water.

What about bottled flavoured water in supermarkets?

Many UAE supermarkets sell bottled "flavoured water" or "fruit water." Read the nutrition label carefully: some contain added sugar (check grams of sugar per 100 ml), some use sweeteners, and some use only natural fruit essence with no sweetener at all.

If the label says 0 g sugar and lists a sweetener (sucralose, acesulfame K, stevia), it is sugar-free but not sweetener-free. If it says 0 g sugar and no sweetener in the ingredients, it likely uses natural flavouring only—though the taste will be very light. Bottled flavoured waters are convenient but expensive per litre compared to making your own with syrup, drops or fresh fruit.

Recipe box: five ZERUP flavour combinations

Mix these in a 500 ml glass or bottle of cold water (still or sparkling). Use about 2 ml of each syrup when combining two flavours, or 4 ml of one flavour on its own.

1. Tropical Fizz: 2 ml Mango + 2 ml Dragonfruit Passionfruit + sparkling water + a wedge of fresh lime.
2. Mint Peach Cooler: 4 ml Peach Iced Tea + still water + fresh mint leaves + ice.
3. Blackberry Lemon Spritz: 2 ml Blackberry + sparkling water + a squeeze of fresh lemon.
4. Apple Citrus: 2 ml Green Apple + 2 ml Orange + still water + a slice of fresh orange.
5. Berry Blast: 2 ml Blue Raspberry + 2 ml Blackberry + sparkling water + frozen berries as ice cubes.

For more ideas, see our ZERUP flavour guide and sugar-free mocktails collection.

Which option is best for you?

If you want no sweeteners at all: Choose fruit infusions, unsweetened tea or plain sparkling water. Accept that the taste will be light and not sweet.

If you want strong, sweet flavour at low cost: A zero-sugar syrup like ZERUP offers the best value per litre (about AED 2 with the three-bottle offer) and the widest flavour choice in the UAE.

If you want portability: Flavour drops or powder sticks fit in a gym bag or handbag, though they cost more per litre than syrup.

If you love fizz: Sparkling water (plain or with a squeeze of syrup) gives you that soft-drink feel without sugar.

If you want minimal effort: Syrup, drops or sparkling water are instant. Infusions and cold-brew tea require a few hours of waiting.

For most people in Dubai and Abu Dhabi who want daily sugar-free flavoured water that tastes good and does not cost much, a drink syrup is the practical choice. ZERUP is a UAE brand, delivered within 12 hours across all seven Emirates, and works out cheaper per litre than imported drops or bottled flavoured water.

The bottom line

Flavoured water without sugar is easy to make using fruit infusions, tea, sparkling water, drops, powders or zero-sugar syrups. Only infusions, unsweetened tea and plain sparkling water contain no sweeteners at all; other options (including ZERUP) use non-sugar sweeteners to provide sweetness with almost no calories. ZERUP by LUVA offers strong flavour, ten varieties, halal certification and the lowest cost per litre among sweet options in the UAE—about AED 2 per litre with the three-bottle offer and delivery within 12 hours across all seven Emirates.

Frequently asked questions

What is the healthiest way to flavour water without sugar?

Fruit or herb infusions and unsweetened tea are the most natural options because they contain no sweeteners at all, though the flavour is light and not sweet. If you want sweetness, a zero-sugar syrup or drop that uses approved non-sugar sweeteners (sucralose, acesulfame K) is a practical choice for daily hydration—research shows these sweeteners are safe within normal intake levels.

Is flavoured water without sugar good for weight loss?

Replacing sugary drinks with sugar-free flavoured water removes a source of added calories and sugar, which can support a calorie deficit if that is your goal. Sugar-free flavoured water is not a weight-loss product and does not cause weight loss on its own, but it makes it easier to stay hydrated without the extra sugar found in soft drinks and juices.

Can I flavour water without using any sweeteners?

Yes—use fresh fruit slices, cucumber, mint or other herbs in cold water (infusion), brew unsweetened tea, or drink plain or naturally flavoured sparkling water. These options have no sugar and no non-sugar sweeteners, but the taste will be subtle and not sweet.

Are water flavour drops and syrups healthy?

Most flavour drops and syrups (including ZERUP) use non-sugar sweeteners that are approved as safe by food authorities such as EFSA and the UAE's regulatory bodies when consumed within normal amounts. They help you drink more water without adding sugar, which is a positive swap if you currently drink sugary beverages. Always check the ingredient list if you have specific dietary needs.

How long does fruit-infused water keep in the fridge?

Fruit-infused water keeps for about one day in the fridge. After that, the fruit starts to break down and the water can taste off or develop bacteria. Make fresh batches daily and keep the jug covered.

Does flavoured water without sugar break a fast?

It depends on the type and your fasting protocol. Plain water, sparkling water and unsweetened tea do not break a fast. Fruit infusions may release tiny amounts of sugar or calories from the fruit. Zero-sugar syrups like ZERUP contain almost no calories (approx. 2–3 kcal per 100 ml prepared) and no sugar, so they are unlikely to affect a fast significantly, but some strict fasting plans avoid all sweeteners. See our guide Does sugar-free syrup break a fast? for detail.

What does "wasser mit geschmack ohne zucker" mean, and where can I find it in the UAE?

"Wasser mit Geschmack ohne Zucker" is German for "flavoured water without sugar." Many German expats in Dubai and Abu Dhabi look for products like More Nutrition's Zerup from Germany; in the UAE, ZERUP by LUVA is a local alternative with similar use (zero-sugar drink syrup), halal certification, ten flavours and delivery within 12 hours across the Emirates.

How much does sugar-free flavoured water cost per litre in the UAE?

It varies by method. Fruit infusions cost about AED 1–3 per litre depending on the fruit. Unsweetened tea is about AED 0.50–1 per litre. Bottled sparkling water is AED 2–5 per litre. Flavour drops and powders range from AED 2–8 per litre depending on brand. ZERUP syrup costs exactly AED 2.40 per litre for a single bottle or AED 2.04 per litre with the any-three-for-AED-49 offer.

Keep reading

• Zero syrup buyer’s guide for the UAE
• Syrup vs squash vs water enhancers
• Water tastes boring?
• Are sweeteners safe?
• Sugar-free iced tea

Sources

1. European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Sweeteners: safety assessments and re-evaluations, including acesulfame K and sucralose www.efsa.europa.eu
2. NHS. Water, drinks and your health www.nhs.uk
3. World Health Organization (2015). Sugars intake for adults and children: Guideline. WHO www.who.int

This article is general information and does not replace advice from a doctor, dietitian or other qualified professional. Last reviewed: October 2026.