Guide to Gluten-Free Alcohol
As the weather is warming up, you might be gathering together with friends to enjoy a beverage outside, or perhaps a beer or cider at a game.
Before grabbing that beverage or ordering a celebratory cocktail, let’s make sure you are gluten-free and safe.
Don’t worry! There are many options out there for you, and breweries, distilleries, and the alcoholic beverage industry continues to expand their gluten-free options.
I will continue to update this post as I find new options. All links direct you to nutrition and allergy information, not purchasing or affiliate links.
Quick safety note: I’m one person and human, so although I have researched all of these, please take extra caution if you have celiac. I linked the allergy information so you can use it as a reference in case anything changes. If you accidentally digested a beverage with gluten, see my Gluten Remedies post for help.
Is Alcohol Gluten-Free?
Alcohol, such as distilled spirits like vodka, rum, whiskey, and tequila, does not inherently contain gluten. The distillation process typically removes gluten proteins, making these spirits safe for most people with gluten intolerance or celiac disease.
The challenge comes in the potential of cross-contamination occurring during the production process or through the use of flavorings or additives, like coloring, so it’s important to check the specific brand or product and ensure it’s gluten-free and safe.
To provide some quick options, I’ve linked some brands below under each category.
Gluten-Free Alcoholic Options
Gluten-Free Beer
Beer is traditionally made from gluten-containing grains like barley, wheat, and rye. However, there are gluten-free beer options available on the market, which may be brewed using alternative grains such as sorghum, rice, millet, or corn. These beers are specifically crafted to be gluten-free, so it’s important to look for those labeled to confirm if it’s safe for you to consume.
To the right are some gluten-free options that I enjoy. Since there are different classifications of GF for beer, I also provided some gluten indicators I created and their definitions.
- Gluten-Free (GF): Brewed with gluten-free ingredients and is safe for Celiacs.
- Dedicated Gluten-Free (DGF!): The facility is 100% dedicated GF. Completely safe for Celiacs.
- Gluten Reduced/Removed (GR): Included gluten in the initial ingredients, but then is reduced during the processing. Would not recommend it for extra sensitive or those with celiac.
Wine
As for wine, it is generally considered gluten-free because it is made from fermented grapes or other fruits, which do not contain gluten. Unfortunately, in some cases, winemakers may use fining agents during the production process that could potentially contain gluten. Check with the winemaker or their website to confirm their wines don’t contain any additives.
Warning: If you have celiac or are very sensitive, I recommend staying away from flavored wines or wine coolers, unless they are specifically labeled as gluten-free.
- Below are some GF guaranteed wine options:
- FitVine Wines
- Cupcakes Wines
- Frey Wines
Distilled Spirits
As mentioned earlier, distilled spirits like vodka, rum, whiskey, and tequila, do not inherently contain gluten. Bourbon is considered gluten-free because the gluten protein is removed during the distillation process; however, if you are extra sensitive or have celiac, you may still want to be cautious due to cross-contamination.
Mixed Drinks:
When it comes to mixed drinks or cocktails, it depends on the ingredients used. If the cocktail contains any gluten-containing ingredients such as certain flavored liqueurs, malt-based spirits, or mixers, it may not be gluten-free. It’s important to ask the bartender or carefully read the labels if you are unsure of the gluten content.
The options provided to the right are those that have confirmed gluten-free safe, but please listen to your body and use the links to confirm if you have any uncertainties.
- Some options confirmed GF safe:
- Basil Hayden (Fave!)
- Makers Mark
- Knob Creek
- Jim Beam
- Tito's (Fave!)
- Grey Goose
- Three Olives
- New Amsterdam
- Captain Morgan
- Bacardi
- Barr Hill (Fave!)
- Tanqueray
- Jose Cuervo
- PatronList Item
Gluten-Free Ciders
Refreshing and delicious, ciders are a great option found almost anywhere there is beer. You also have options to go sweet or dry, or even a little spicy with ginger, like Citizen Cider’s Dirty Mayor. Yum!
Gluten-Free Hard Sletzers/Canned Cocktails
There are many options here and many of the beer companies are coming out with their versions of spiked beverages. Below are a few, with my three faves up top.
- High Noon
- Simply Spiked
- Topo Chico
- Truly
- White Claw (no law! Sorry :oP)
Gluten-Free Liquors
- Disaronno Amaretto
- Frangelico
- Kahlúa
- Baileys Irish Cream
- Produced with ingredients that do not contain gluten, but it’s not certified as GF.
Please feel free to add your favorite gluten-free adult beverages in the comments below and share with the WTF GF community!
In case you need some motivation and a delicious, refreshing summer drink.
Enjoy!! 🙂
Excellent information and very timely. Happy summer.
Excellent information and very timely. Happy summer.