NOS SUGAR FREE

Posted on October 1, 2017 | Last updated February 14, 2025

This is a review of the NOS SUGAR FREE, which was released in 2016 as part of a full overhaul of the NOS series in the United States.

NOS SUGAR FREE

Manufacturer	Coca Cola
Country of Origin	USA
Price	2 USD
Flavor	Tropical citrus
Total rating	★★☆☆☆

Author information Author: Energy Drink-kun

In 2001, while living in the United States, I encountered energy drinks through the dance scene and was deeply impressed. After returning to Japan, I found that energy drinks were considered novelty beverages, so I established a comprehensive website in 2013 to share the true appeal of energy drinks. As an energy drink enthusiast, I began drinking them seriously again, collecting over 7,000 varieties of energy drinks from various countries. I am also active as a critic and expert, receiving media interviews.

Flavor of NOS SUGAR FREE

As soon as I open the can, the refreshing tropical fruit aroma of the original NOS bursts out, and it feels like a strong fragrance, which is surprising for a zero-calorie drink.

NOS SUGAR FREE
The glowing yellow is almost identical to the original NOS. This is the signature color of NOS (*´ｪ`*).

Let's take a sip.

Upon tasting, I get a refreshing, slightly sour tropical fruit flavor. It's the same flavor as the original NOS, but since it's sugar-free and calorie-free, the taste of artificial sweeteners is too prominent, and there's no "zero feeling" excitement.

The use of artificial sweeteners isn't very well-balanced, so it's not as punchy as the original NOS tropical fruit flavor. The sweetness is too gentle, giving it a somewhat flat overall impression. If you've tried the original NOS and became a fan of the NOS series, you might never pick up the sugar-free version. That's how I feel (；´∀｀).

Feeling unsatisfied throughout drinking it is a critical flaw, and those who are sensitive to artificial sweeteners might not even be able to finish it. I got bored halfway through. It might sound harsh, but this is probably because the original NOS tastes so good.

Energy Ingredients of NOS SUGAR FREE

NOS SUGAR FREE
It contains 160mg of caffeine, taurine, guarana, and other ingredients. Even though it's sugar-free, it still has zero calories, which is why "sugar-free" is used in the product name. The formula hasn't changed at all since the previous NOS ZERO, and it still has zero calories.

Design Renewal of NOS SUGAR FREE

Here are the NOS ZERO, NOS SUGAR FREE (the one I reviewed), and the regular NOS lined up together.

It’s now much clearer that it’s the sugar-free version of the original NOS. In the past, the design was grey, which might have led people to think it was a completely different flavor.

NOS SUGAR FREE
This time, the color tone has been changed from the original blue to a lighter blue, making it easier to convey the idea of a sugar-free version of the original flavor.

Unlike the regular NOS and other products, the can surface is matte.
NOS SUGAR FREE
The texture of the light blue part on the front and the back has been enhanced. Personally, I prefer the matte texture.

Sugar-free versions are a must-have in the energy drink category in the U.S., but unfortunately, the NOS SUGAR FREE falls short on taste. Even if you’re concerned about sugar, you wouldn’t be tempted to enjoy the NOS flavor in a sugar-free version, given its low level of refinement. Because of this, it has unfortunately disappeared from store shelves.