In lieu of sugar, sweeten this beverage with agave, a natural syrup that's available in mainstream supermarkets and organic food stores. (organicauthority.com)
Conventional nutritionists also recommend using toxic artificial sweeteners like aspartame in lieu of sugar for diabetics, despite the evidence showing it rapidly stimulates the release of insulin and leptin (which diabetics need to avoid), and actually leads to greater weight gain than sugar... (articles.mercola.com)
I used 1/2 cup of honey in lieu of the sugar and it adds a delicious subtle undertone. (epicurious.com)