How does lemon-lime soda taste?

What is lemon-lime soda?

It is a clear, carbonated soft drink flavored with lemon and lime. Well-known examples include Sprite and 7UP, which are widely sold. It has no cola flavor, and most are not made with caffeine, but check the label of any brand.

How does it taste?

• Sweet: regular versions use sugar or other sweeteners; zero-sugar versions use sweeteners.
• Tart and citrusy: a light lemon and lime taste with a slight sourness.
• Fizzy and crisp: the carbonation gives it a clean, sharp finish.
• Mild: less bold than cola or root beer, which is why it is popular with food and as a mixer.

What gives it the flavor?

Ingredient lists show the building blocks. For example, one UK 7UP page lists carbonated water, sugar, citric acid and malic acid, natural lemon and lime flavorings, sodium citrate as an acidity regulator and sweeteners, and describes it as having a refreshing lemon and lime taste. That page lists both sugar and sweeteners. The acids provide tartness; the flavorings give the citrus. The exact flavorings are usually not disclosed, so brands taste a little different from each other. Recipes also change by country.

How do brands differ?

Tasters often describe one brand as more lime-forward and another as more lemony or sweeter, but these are opinions and vary by person and country. If you care, try two brands side by side, cold, from the same kind of container.

Refreshing ways to drink it

• Very cold, over plenty of ice.
• With a squeeze of fresh lime or lemon to sharpen it.
• As a base for punch, mixed with fruit juice and frozen fruit.
• Mixed with cranberry or pineapple juice for a simple mocktail.

For your choice

Soda is a sugary drink; compare the sugar on the label, and note that zero-sugar versions taste a little different because of the sweeteners. General information, no ranking implied.