Sugar-free syrup sounds like the perfect solution: a sweet taste without sugar. In Switzerland, zero syrups are available from Zerup, for example, as an own brand at Migros and from Teisseire at Coop. But "sugar-free" does not mean "not sweet": the drink is still sweetened, just with sweeteners. Here is the overview for Switzerland (as of 1 October 2026) — and an alternative that takes a different route.
What exactly is a sugar-free syrup?
A zero syrup is a highly concentrated flavouring sweetened with sweeteners instead of sugar. A few millilitres in water and it tastes like lemonade — without the sugar of a classic syrup: with 50 g of sugar per 100 g of syrup, a 2 dl glass contains, depending on the dosage (dilution of 1:7 to 1:5), roughly 15 to 20 g of sugar (our own calculation, assuming a syrup density of about 1.2 g/ml).
Examples of zero syrups in Switzerland
- Zerup (More Nutrition): 65 ml bottle, about 8 litres of finished drink at a mixing ratio of 1:124. According to the manufacturer's information at Galaxus, sweetened with acesulfame K and sucralose. Price at Galaxus: CHF 5.90 to 6.50, i.e. roughly CHF 0.73 to 0.80 per litre.
- Mijuwi: 48 ml bottle for at least 6 litres, EUR 5.99 per bottle (the price fluctuates) — so roughly 1 euro per litre of drink. Flavours include Ice Tea Watermelon and Wild Cola. The shop lists its prices in euros; whether and on what terms it delivers to Switzerland is best clarified directly with the supplier.
- Zero syrups in retail: Coop stocks Teisseire Zero, for example Forest Fruits at CHF 5.30 per 60 cl (dilution of 1:12, i.e. about 7.8 litres of finished drink and about CHF 0.68 per litre; sweetened with sucralose and steviol glycosides). Migros has its own zero syrups, for example raspberry.
What they all have in common: the sweet taste comes from sweeteners. The sweeteners used are authorised in Switzerland. Anyone who wants to avoid sweeteners should therefore check the ingredient list before buying.
The alternative: flavour without syrup — and mostly without sweeteners
TEABALLS solves the problem differently: instead of a sweet concentrate, a pressed piece of tea and plant extracts dissolves in the water — cold or hot. The result does not taste like lemonade but like tea or iced tea. There are 24 varieties, 8 of them organic (16 TEABALLS varieties and 8 organic varieties), for example lemon, peach, mint and hibiscus. You will find a selection in the Flavoured water without sugar collection.
- No added sugar — about 3 kcal per glass (approx. 1 kcal per 100 ml according to the nutrition information on the product pages, for example Lemon Vitamin C). Sucralose is found in only four varieties (Energy, Mango, Blueberry & Coconut, Watermelon); 20 of the 24 varieties, namely 12 of the 16 TEABALLS varieties and all 8 organic varieties, contain no sweetener. The ingredients are listed on the product page of each variety.
- Simple dosing: 3–5 pressed pieces per 3 dl glass. One bottle (150 pressed pieces, CHF 8.90; some varieties CHF 9.90) is enough for 30 to 50 glasses — that is 9 to 15 litres, so roughly CHF 0.59 to 0.99 per litre at CHF 8.90 (at CHF 9.90: CHF 0.66 to 1.10).
- Hot and cold: the 16 TEABALLS varieties can be enjoyed as tea in winter and as iced tea without added sugar in summer; the 8 organic varieties can only be enjoyed hot.
Honestly: anyone looking for the sweet taste of lemonade will be better served by a zero syrup. Anyone who prefers to flavour water with a tea or fruit taste can start with the Refreshment Bundle — hibiscus, mint, Earl Grey, green tea and lemon, all five without sweetener (Earl Grey and green tea contain natural caffeine). And our comparison with Waterdrop and Dropz shows how TEABALLS compares with effervescent cubes and pressed tabs.
Frequently asked questions
What is in sugar-free syrup?
Zero syrups leave out the sugar and contain sweeteners instead. Anyone who wants to avoid these turns to drinks without sweeteners, such as tea or TEABALLS varieties without sucralose.
Which sugar-free syrup is the cheapest?
That depends on the product, the mixing ratio and the current price. Per litre of finished drink, three examples come to roughly CHF 0.68 (Teisseire Zero at Coop), CHF 0.73 to 0.80 (Zerup at Galaxus) and 1 euro (Mijuwi), as of 1 October 2026. TEABALLS comes to roughly CHF 0.59 to 0.99 per litre (varieties at CHF 8.90) — so in the same price range.
What is the difference between zero syrup and TEABALLS?
Zero syrup is a liquid flavour concentrate with sweeteners. TEABALLS are pressed, soluble tea and plant extracts; 20 of the 24 varieties contain no sweetener (sucralose is found in Energy, Mango, Blueberry & Coconut and Watermelon). Both come without added sugar — the question is whether you want the sweet taste of lemonade or a tea and fruit taste.