Enjoy Sweet Drinks Without Guilt: IPB University’s PMW Team Introduces Sugar Free Soda ‘Zestera’
Indonesians’ love for sweet drinks now faces a new, healthier alternative. A team of IPB University students participating in the 2026 Student Entrepreneurship Program (PMW) has introduced Zestera, a lemon infused soda water with 0 grams of sugar.
With a mission to change people’s lifestyles, Zestera serves as a “middle ground” for those who want to enjoy the refreshment of soda without the risk of excessive sugar. This innovation is led by Nufail Raimy Aziz, a student in the Islamic Economics Program at the Faculty of Economics and Management, IPB University.
Zestera’s uniqueness lies in its use of stevia as a natural sweetener. Stevia was chosen because it contains no calories and does not cause blood sugar spikes, making it safe for regular consumption as part of a healthy lifestyle.
“Zestera offers a middle ground so you can still enjoy a delicious drink without worrying about excess sugar. We position this product not as a ‘drink for the sick,’ but as a smarter, more stylish everyday beverage,” said Nufail Raimy Aziz on behalf of the team.
Maintaining a delicious taste without regular sugar is certainly no easy feat. Nufail revealed that he and the team conducted numerous experiments to balance the sweet, sour, and fruity notes to mask the distinctive taste of stevia. The result is a light, refreshing drink that doesn’t leave a cloying aftertaste.
Targeting Gen Z and millennials, Zestera uses casual education via social media to raise awareness about the dangers of excessive sugar consumption. Support from PMW 2026 was also acknowledged as crucial in validating the idea and providing initial funding to help the business grow in a more focused direction.
“PMW’s support helped us grow in a more structured way, not just through trial and error. Moving forward, we plan to add flavor variants while remaining true to the concept of a healthy, sugar free beverage,” added Nufail.
The launch of Zestera proves that a healthy lifestyle can start with the right beverage choices, without having to sacrifice the enjoyment of leisure time. (MW)
