Booze & Gluten, Let's Grab A Drink

May 06, 2024•4 min read

🌟 Booze & Gluten, Who Needs A Drink?

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It is Celiac & Gluten Awareness Month!

If you've been learning about the world of gluten and realizing how much gluten hides in plain sight, you might find yourself in need of a drink.

Understanding Distillation vs. Fermentation

When it comes to alcoholic drinks, a key distinction to make is between distillation and fermentation.

Fermentation breaks down and changes the original ingredients over time. If a drink is fermented with gluten-containing ingredients, it is not considered gluten-free.

Distillation on the other hand removes all gluten, rendering spirits like vodka and gin safe for consumption.

Safe Gluten-Free Options

Here's a breakdown of some gluten-free alcoholic beverages you can enjoy without worry:

Wine: Red, white, and pink wines are all gluten-free.
Champagne/Sparking Wine/Prosecco: Made from grapes, champagne, sparking wines, and prosecco are gluten-free.
Cider: Made from fermented apples, most ciders are labeled gluten-free on the bottle.
Vodka: Distilled to remove all gluten, making it a safe choice. If you are feeling extra caution, avoid flavored vodkas and opt for a brand made with potatoes (Titos).
Gin: The unique flavors in gin (like juniper berries, citrus, etc.) are added before distillation. Gin is considered gluten-free.
Rum: Made from sugar cane, rum is a gluten-free option.
Tequila: Crafted from agave, tequila is a gluten-free spirit. Note, any unpleasant symptoms after drinking tequila probably are not from gluten.
Whiskey & Bourbon: While generally gluten-free, be mindful of added malt post-distillation.
Jagermeister: While there are no gluten ingredients in Jagermeister, it seems to often be associated with questionable decisions and unexpected outcomes.
Grain Alcohol: High proof liquor such as Everclear is gluten-free. Commonly mixed with Kool-Aid or fruit punch and served out of large lined trash cans at fraternity parties, it is not typically found in the everyday bar. Events that include grain alcohol rarely end well.
Liqueurs: Drinks such as amaretto, brandy, Cointreau, Grand Marnier, Kahlúa, and schnapps are made from distilled alcohol to which sugar or other flavorings have been added. In general, liqueurs are considered gluten-free.
Sake: This Japanese favorite is made from rice and is gluten-free.
Soju: Soju is is distilled, thus gluten-free even when made from gluten-containing grains. Note: Soju Beers are not gluten-free!
Jinro: Traditionally made from rice, some version are also made from barley. Since the are distilled, it is considered to be gluten-free. Note: Jinro Beers are not gluten-free!
Gluten-Free Beer: There are some gluten-free beers on the market. They fall into two categories: no gluten ingredients & gluten removed. The naturally gluten-free beers are made from ingredients such as sorghum and rice. The gluten-removed beers are made from gluten grains then processed to eliminate all gluten.

Added Flavors

Although most flavoring is gluten-free, it can be difficult to be certain of ingredients. If this is a concern, avoid drinks with added flavors (i.e. flavored vodka or rum).

Beware of Malt

Be cautious with beverages like wine coolers and hard lemonades that often have added malt, which can contain gluten. Always check the ingredients for prepared beverages before drinking.

Mixers

Most mixers like tonic water, club soda, and fruit juice and sodas are gluten-free.

It's Happy Hour Again

While you may need to steer clear of beers and malt-containing drinks, there are plenty of gluten-free options to enjoy responsibly. Whether it's a vodka soda, a rum cocktail, or a glass of sake, you can still raise a toast while maintaining a gluten-free lifestyle.

A word of warning, cocktail parties tend to have very limited gluten-free food options. Be careful not to drink too much if you are hungry!

Stay safe, drink responsibly and enjoy your gluten-free drinks!

Learn More

To learn more about celiac disease, gluten intolerance, diagnosis, and other reasons to be gluten-free, please join the Problem With Gluten Mini course. We have extensive information about celiac disease and gluten intolerance and more.

Stay tuned for more helpful tips coming your way soon!

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