Out of Sugar, one case
Coffee sugar substitute
8 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Stevia
Per 1 tsp sugar
Half a packet of stevia blend, or a tiny pinch of pure extract
The best coffee sugar substitutes are stevia, monk fruit sweetener, erythritol, and allulose. These dissolve easily in hot beverages and add little or no sugar or calories.
- Best for —
- hot coffee
One casethe full sugar card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of 1 tsp sugar |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steviahot coffee | half a packet of stevia blend, or a tiny pinch of pure extract |
| 2 | Monk fruit sweetenerhot coffee | Same amountFor a granulated blend that measures like sugar |
| 3 | Erythritolhot coffee | 1 1/3 tsp erythritol |
| 4 | Allulosehot coffee | 1 1/3 tsp allulose |
| 5 | Sucralosehot coffee | half a packet, or 1 tsp granulated cup-for-cup sucralose |
| 6 | Aspartamehot coffee | half a packet |
| 7 | Xylitolhot coffee | Same amount |
| 8 | Liquid steviahot coffee | 2-3 drops liquid stevia |
Stevia
very sweet, slight aftertaste
Natural sweetener that dissolves easily in hot beverages. Zero calories and much sweeter than sugar, so use sparingly.
- Best for
- hot coffee, iced coffee, tea, all beverages
- Texture
- dissolves completely
Zero calories, dissolves easily. A packet of stevia blend usually sweetens like 2 teaspoons of sugar; pure extract is far stronger, so add a tiny pinch at a time. May have slight aftertaste.
Monk fruit sweetener
similar, no aftertaste
Natural sweetener that dissolves well in hot beverages. Zero calories and no bitter aftertaste, making it popular for coffee.
- Best for
- hot coffee, iced coffee, tea, all beverages
- Texture
- dissolves completely
Zero calories, dissolves easily, natural. Most granulated blends measure like sugar; pure extract is far stronger, so check the label.
Erythritol
similar, slight cooling effect
Natural sugar alcohol that dissolves easily in hot beverages. Zero calories and no aftertaste, though it may have a slight cooling effect.
- Best for
- hot coffee, iced coffee, tea, all beverages
- Texture
- dissolves completely
Zero calories, no aftertaste, may have cooling effect. About 70% as sweet as sugar, so it takes a little more; slower to dissolve in iced drinks.
Allulose
like sugar, slightly less sweet
Natural rare sugar that dissolves easily in hot beverages. Tastes like sugar with almost no calories and no aftertaste, but it is about 70% as sweet, so use a little more.
- Best for
- hot coffee, iced coffee, tea, all beverages
- Texture
- dissolves completely
Almost no calories, dissolves easily, tastes like sugar, no aftertaste. About 70% as sweet as sugar, so it takes a little more.
Sucralose
similar to sugar
Artificial sweetener that dissolves easily in hot beverages. Zero calories and heat stable, making it popular for coffee.
- Best for
- hot coffee, iced coffee, tea, all beverages
- Texture
- dissolves completely
Zero calories, dissolves easily, heat stable, artificial. A packet sweetens like 2 teaspoons of sugar; the granulated kind measures like sugar.
Aspartame
similar to sugar
Artificial sweetener that dissolves easily. It loses sweetness when held hot for a long time, so it is not used for baking, but it sweetens a cup of hot coffee normally.
- Best for
- hot coffee, iced coffee, cold beverages
- Texture
- dissolves completely
Zero calories, dissolves easily, artificial. A packet sweetens like 2 teaspoons of sugar. Loses sweetness with long heating, so it is not for baking, but it is fine stirred into hot coffee. Not for people with phenylketonuria (PKU).
Xylitol
similar to sugar
Natural sugar alcohol that dissolves easily in hot beverages. Low calories and dental health benefits, but may cause digestive issues in large amounts.
- Best for
- hot coffee, iced coffee, tea, all beverages
- Texture
- dissolves completely
Low calories, dissolves easily, dental health benefits, may cause digestive issues. Toxic to dogs, so keep it away from pets.
Liquid stevia
very sweet, no aftertaste
Liquid form of stevia that dissolves instantly in beverages. Zero calories and extremely sweet, so use sparingly.
- Best for
- hot coffee, iced coffee, tea, all beverages
- Texture
- dissolves instantly
Zero calories, dissolves instantly, extremely sweet. Strength varies by brand, so start with 2 drops and taste.
How it behaves in this recipe
Coffee sugar substitutes need to dissolve easily in hot beverages and enhance the coffee flavor without adding sugar or many calories. The best options dissolve completely and don't leave any aftertaste that interferes with the coffee's natural flavor.
Tips for substituting sugar
12 tips- Stevia is extremely sweet - start with half a packet, or a tiny pinch of pure extract, per teaspoon of sugar and taste
- Monk fruit sweetener dissolves easily and has no aftertaste
- Erythritol dissolves well but may have a slight cooling effect
- Allulose tastes like sugar and dissolves fully, but is about 70% as sweet
- Sucralose is heat stable and works well in hot coffee
- Aspartame loses sweetness with long heating - fine in a hot cup, not for baking
- Xylitol has dental health benefits but use in moderation, and keep it away from dogs
- Liquid stevia dissolves instantly and is very convenient
- Always taste and adjust sweetness levels to your preference
- Some sweeteners may have a cooling effect - this is normal
- Store sweeteners in cool, dry places to maintain quality
- Consider using sugar-free syrups for flavored coffee drinks
Notes on sugar
- Use natural flavors like vanilla, cinnamon, or cocoa powder to enhance sweetness
- Try sugar-free syrups and flavorings for flavored coffee drinks
- Use unsweetened chocolate and add coffee sweeteners to taste
- Experiment with sugar-free extracts and natural flavorings
- Consider using nut milks for natural sweetness and creaminess
- Use fresh fruits or fruit purees to add natural sweetness to cold coffee drinks
Questions
8 questionsWhat is the best sugar substitute for coffee?
The best coffee sugar substitutes are stevia, monk fruit sweetener, erythritol, and allulose. These dissolve easily in hot beverages and add little or no sugar or calories.
Can I use stevia in hot coffee?
Yes, stevia dissolves easily in hot coffee. It's extremely sweet, so start with half a packet of a stevia blend, or a tiny pinch of pure extract, per teaspoon of sugar and taste.
What about monk fruit sweetener for coffee?
Monk fruit sweetener is excellent for coffee. It dissolves easily, has no aftertaste, and is natural with zero calories.
Is erythritol good for coffee?
Yes, erythritol dissolves easily in hot coffee and has no aftertaste. It is about 70% as sweet as sugar, so use a little more. It may have a slight cooling effect, which some people enjoy.
What about allulose for coffee?
Allulose works well in coffee. It tastes like sugar and dissolves fully, with almost no calories. It is about 70% as sweet as sugar, so use a little more.
Can I use sucralose in hot coffee?
Yes, sucralose is heat stable and works well in hot coffee. It dissolves easily and has zero calories.
Is aspartame safe for hot coffee?
It works in hot coffee. Aspartame loses sweetness when it is held hot for a long time, which is why it is not used for baking, but stirred into a cup of hot coffee it sweetens normally. People with phenylketonuria (PKU) should not use it.
What about liquid stevia for coffee?
Liquid stevia is very convenient for coffee. It dissolves instantly and is extremely sweet, so use sparingly.