I really don't like the taste of any artificial sweetener, spenda is the best, but even that leaves an aftertaste I can do without, so I have avoided diet drinks for a long time....

My favourite drink in summer.. is icy cold soda-water with just a squeeze of lime or lemon juice.... fresh from the fruit if I have it, or I buy those little yellow and green bottles of juice from the supermarket. 99.9% juice, no sweeteners of any kind....
mmmmm..... the most refreshing cool drink I know...