'Brown Water With Chemicals:' Walmart Shoppers Aren't Pleased With This Apple Juice Drink

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At what point in this increasingly low-sugar, low-carb world will we ask the question: Does everything need to have a sugar-free version? Now seems to be the time for such an inquiry with Mott's launching its Zero Sugar Apple Juice Drink. When the company announced the new product in November 2025, sugar-conscious apple juice lovers were, understandably, excited to try it. Unfortunately, according to some Walmart shoppers, the product is a total letdown.

"I was so excited to see they had a sugar free apple juice, wow was I disappointed. I can barely taste any apple over the heavy chemical-like aftertaste," complained one unhappy customer on the Walmart website. "I've been waiting for a Zero Sugar Apple juice and was excited to try it but I'm sorry to say this is disgusting and tastes nothing like Apple Juice. Motts go back to the drawing board this ain't it!!" exclaimed another shopper.

While quite a few customers said they were happy with the beverage, those that weren't proved to be decidedly vocal. As another Walmart review stated, "It's only 1% Juice? Basically brown water with chemicals." This got us thinking: what exactly goes into a zero-sugar "apple juice drink"? And why did so many poor reviews reference a bad aftertaste?

Mott's Zero Sugar Apple Juice Drink is indeed made with only 1% juice (from concentrate), with the main ingredient being water. Stevia leaf extract is used to sweeten the beverage and to keep it free of calories. Yet stevia is known for having a bitter aftertaste and is often used in tandem with other artificial sweeteners or even sugar to even out the flavor. In the case of Mott's zero-sugar drink, malic acid is the third ingredient on the list; this is a flavor enhancer that can help impart a lingering tartness to help combat the aftertaste of calorie-free sweeteners like stevia. According to the reviews on Walmart's page, it doesn't seem like Mott's pulled off the right balance.

Mott's regular 100% Apple Juice contains 28 grams of sugar per 8-ounce serving (which is part of what helps it take the bite from tequila, as per TikTok.) So, even though none of that is added sugar, it's no wonder that apple juice drinkers were excited for a sugar-free option. Unfortunately, it just may be a hard truth that apple juice is not meant to be enjoyed without sugar — not unlike learning these unsettling facts about diet soda. Perhaps concocting a drink to be sugar- and calorie-free has its price.