Zevia
Zevia is an American beverage company known for zero-calorie, sugar-free soft drinks and other beverages sweetened primarily with stevia.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Zevia is a Los Angeles-based beverage company whose portfolio is built around drinks positioned as alternatives to conventional sugar-sweetened soft drinks and artificially sweetened diet beverages. Its products are marketed as zero-calorie and sugar-free, and the company has emphasized attributes including stevia-based sweetening, vegan formulation, gluten-free status, kosher certification, and Non-GMO Project verification. The brand's core business is carbonated soft drinks, but it has expanded into energy drinks, sparkling water, organic tea, mixers, and smaller-format beverages for children. The company was launched in 2007 in Seattle by Derek Newman, Jessica Newman, and Ian Eisenberg. Its original proposition was to offer a soda that avoided both added sugar and artificial sweeteners. Early distribution focused on natural-food and specialty retail, where the brand benefited from consumer interest in lower-sugar products and recognizable plant-based ingredients. By the end of 2008, the product was available in hundreds of stores and was described as one of the fastest-growing natural products in the United States. Zevia later gained placement in larger grocery and mass-retail chains, helping it move beyond the natural-products channel. Paddy Spence acquired Zevia in 2010 and became chief executive officer and chairman. Under his leadership, the brand expanded its retail footprint and developed a broader beverage platform. In 2012, Zevia was reported to be the best-selling soda at Whole Foods. By 2013, it ranked among the leading zero- and low-calorie sodas in mainstream grocery stores and was described as the only independent brand in the top 20 of that category. By 2014, Zevia products were available in more than 16,000 United States stores, including Whole Foods, Target, Kroger, Safeway, and Sprouts. The company also changed its formulation and category strategy over time. In late 2013, it replaced an earlier stevia-and-erythritol sweetening system with a blend of stevia extract, monk fruit extract, and erythritol branded as SweetSmart. In 2016, Zevia announced that its products had been reformulated to use stevia as the sole sweetener. That year it introduced sparkling water and energy drinks and subsequently added mixers. Organic teas followed in 2018, while the Kidz line launched in 2019 in smaller cans featuring Disney characters. Zevia has used health-conscious positioning, natural-products distribution, digital retail, and partnerships to build awareness. The brand claims that it was the top-selling carbonated soft-drink brand on Amazon in 2020, although such claims depend on the measurement period and category definition. Its marketing has included support for public debate around sugary-drink restrictions, sports sponsorship, and product extensions designed for different consumption occasions. In 2021, the company filed for an initial public offering and became publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol ZVIA. Zevia remains focused on expanding reduced-sugar and zero-calorie beverages while competing with large soft-drink companies, natural beverage brands, and emerging functional-drink businesses.
History
Zevia was founded in 2007 in Seattle, Washington, by Derek Newman, Jessica Newman, and Ian Eisenberg. The founders sought to create a soft drink for consumers who wanted to avoid both added sugar and artificial sweeteners. This founding proposition placed Zevia within the emerging better-for-you and natural-products beverage segment, rather than positioning it as a direct imitation of a conventional full-sugar soda. The brand's early route to market was natural and specialty retail. By the end of 2008, industry measurement cited Zevia as one of the fastest-growing natural products in the United States, with the product available in approximately 850 stores. The company reported a substantial increase in same-store sales in 2010. That same year, Paddy Spence purchased Zevia and became chairman and chief executive officer, providing new leadership during the brand's transition from a small natural-products offering to a broader retail beverage business. Zevia's retail presence expanded rapidly during the early 2010s. In 2012, the soda was reported to be the best-selling soda at Whole Foods. By July 2013, it ranked seventeenth among zero- or low-calorie sodas in mainstream grocery stores and was described as the only independent brand in the category's top 20. By 2014, distribution had grown to more than 16,000 stores in the United States, including national and regional chains such as Target, Kroger, Safeway, Sprouts, and Whole Foods. This expansion gave Zevia access to both natural-food shoppers and mainstream consumers seeking lower-calorie beverages. Formulation was a significant part of the company's product development. In late 2013, Zevia replaced its earlier combination of stevia and erythritol with a blend of stevia extract, monk fruit extract, and erythritol marketed as SweetSmart. In September 2016, the company announced that its products had been reformulated to use only stevia as the sweetener. The reformulation supported the brand's emphasis on a plant-derived sweetening system, although individual products and formulations can vary over time. Beginning in 2016, Zevia diversified beyond its original soda range. It introduced sparkling water and energy drinks in June and launched mixers in October. The company added organic tea in 2018, offering several black tea, green tea, herbal, and flavored varieties. In December 2019, it introduced Kidz, a line using smaller 7.5-ounce cans and licensed Disney character imagery. By 2021, the portfolio was described as comprising six main lines and 37 flavors: soda, energy, organic tea, mixers, Kidz, and sparkling water. Marketing and distribution helped reinforce Zevia's identity as a mainstream alternative beverage with natural-product credentials. In 2012, it used billboard advertising in support of New York City's proposed soda restrictions, and Spence discussed healthier soda alternatives in a CNBC appearance. In 2014, Zevia entered a Major League Baseball sponsorship and became the official soda of the Oakland Athletics, with products sold at the team's stadium concessions. The company also stated that Zevia was the top-selling carbonated soft-drink brand on Amazon in 2020. In June 2021, Zevia filed to go public. It became listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker ZVIA, marking a transition from an independently developed natural beverage brand to a public company. Its continuing strategy has centered on zero-calorie and sugar-free beverages, portfolio expansion, retail distribution, and competition in the growing better-for-you soft-drink and functional-beverage markets.
- 2021
Zevia files for an IPO
[1]The company files to go public and becomes associated with the New York Stock Exchange ticker ZVIA.
- 2019
Zevia Kidz launches
[1]Zevia introduces smaller-format children's beverages packaged with Disney character designs.
- 2018
Organic Tea launches
[1]The company adds an organic tea range with multiple tea and fruit flavor combinations.
- 2016
Portfolio expansion and stevia-only reformulation
[1]Zevia introduces sparkling water, energy drinks, and mixers, and announces that its products have been reformulated to use stevia as the only sweetener.
- 2014
Distribution exceeds 16,000 stores
[1]The brand becomes available across more than 16,000 United States stores and begins a Major League Baseball sponsorship linked to the Oakland Athletics.
- 2013
Mainstream grocery ranking and formulation change
[1]Zevia reaches a leading position among zero- and low-calorie sodas in mainstream grocery stores and introduces its SweetSmart sweetener blend.
- 2012
Whole Foods sales milestone
[1]Zevia is reported as the best-selling soda at Whole Foods and begins more visible consumer marketing around lower-sugar alternatives.
- 2010
Paddy Spence takes control
[1]Paddy Spence acquires Zevia and becomes chairman and chief executive officer.
- 2008
Early natural-products growth
[1]Zevia reaches approximately 850 stores, and sales data identifies it as one of the fastest-growing natural products in the United States.
- 2007
Zevia is founded
[1]Derek Newman, Jessica Newman, and Ian Eisenberg establish Zevia in Seattle as an alternative to soft drinks containing sugar or artificial sweeteners.
Products and positioning
A better-for-you beverage brand centered on zero-calorie, sugar-free drinks sweetened with stevia and presented as alternatives to conventional soda and artificially sweetened diet beverages.
Carbonated soft drinks · 2007
Zevia Soda
Zevia's original and largest product family consists of zero-calorie, sugar-free carbonated drinks in familiar soda-style profiles. The range has included cola, ginger root beer, creamy root beer, ginger ale, black cherry, cream soda, cherry cola, Dr. Zevia, grape, citrus, orange, lemon-lime, vanilla cola, and strawberry variants. The line is designed to provide conventional soda occasions without added sugar and is central to the brand's better-for-you positioning.
Energy drinks · 2016
Zevia Energy
Introduced as part of Zevia's category expansion, Energy includes flavored energy beverages such as raspberry lime, mango ginger, grapefruit, and kola. The line extends Zevia's zero-calorie and sugar-free proposition into the energy-drink occasion while retaining the brand's emphasis on stevia-based sweetening and natural-product credentials.
Tea beverages · 2018
Zevia Organic Tea
The Organic Tea line broadens the portfolio beyond soda with black tea, green tea, flavored black tea, Earl Grey, and caffeine-free herbal offerings. Reported flavors have included raspberry, peach, lemon, blood orange, hibiscus, and passionfruit. The products are intended for consumers seeking unsweetened or sugar-free ready-to-drink tea alternatives.
Drink mixers · 2016
Zevia Mixers
Zevia Mixers are zero-calorie mixer products designed for use in mixed drinks or as standalone flavored beverages. The reported range includes ginger beer, tonic water, and lemon-lime with bitters. The line applies the company's sugar-free formulation approach to cocktail and mocktail occasions.
Children's beverages · 2019
Zevia Kidz
Kidz is a smaller-format beverage line packaged in 7.5-ounce cans and developed for children. Reported flavors include watermelon, cran-raspberry, strawberry lemonade, fruit punch, orange cream, and fizzy apple. Its packaging has featured classic Disney characters, helping distinguish the line from Zevia's adult-oriented soda and tea products.
Sparkling water · 2016
Zevia Sparkling Water
Sparkling Water extends Zevia into lightly flavored carbonated water. Reported flavors include blackberry and cucumber lemon. The line provides a simpler refreshment option for consumers who want carbonation and flavor without sugar or calories.
Marketing campaigns
- 2014Oakland Athletics sponsorship
United States
Zevia entered a Major League Baseball sponsorship and became the official soda of the Oakland Athletics. Its products were sold at concessions at the Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum.
Outcome. The partnership gave Zevia stadium distribution and sports-marketing exposure; a quantified outcome is not reported in the cited material.
- 2012New York City soda-ban support
United States
Zevia ran billboard advertising supporting New York City's proposed restrictions on large sugary drinks. The campaign connected the brand with the public discussion about sugar consumption and healthier beverage alternatives.
Outcome. The campaign increased the brand's visibility in the debate over sugary drinks; the cited material does not establish a specific commercial outcome.
Brand decisions
2021
Initial public offering filingOtherBackground
After years of retail and product-line expansion, Zevia pursued access to public capital markets.
Action taken
The company filed to go public in June 2021 and became listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker ZVIA.
Aftermath
The transaction established Zevia as a publicly traded beverage company; the cited material does not provide offering size or valuation figures.
2016
Stevia-only reformulationStrategyBackground
The brand continued to emphasize plant-derived sweetening and a distinction from artificially sweetened diet beverages.
Action taken
Zevia announced that all of its products had been reformulated to use stevia as the only sweetener.
Aftermath
The reformulation reinforced the brand's ingredient-led positioning while Zevia simultaneously expanded into new beverage categories.
2013
Adoption of the SweetSmart sweetener blendStrategyBackground
Zevia sought to refine the taste and formulation of its products while continuing to avoid conventional sugar and artificial sweeteners.
Action taken
The company replaced its earlier stevia-and-erythritol system with a blend of stevia extract, monk fruit extract, and erythritol, marketed as SweetSmart.
Aftermath
The change preceded a later reformulation toward stevia-only sweetening.
Recent events
- 2021
Zevia files for an initial public offering[1]
Other
Zevia filed to become a publicly traded company and subsequently traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker ZVIA.
- 2016
Zevia expands into sparkling water and energy drinks[1]
Product launch
The company broadened its portfolio beyond its flagship carbonated soda line with sparkling-water and energy-drink launches.
- 2010
Paddy Spence acquires Zevia and becomes chairman and CEO[1]
M&A · Leadership change
Paddy Spence bought the company and assumed its top executive and board leadership roles.
- 2007
Zevia launches as a lower-sugar alternative to conventional soft drinks[1]
Other
The brand was established in Seattle with a proposition focused on avoiding added sugar and artificial sweeteners.
Sources3 sources
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