Celiac.com 12/21/2024 (Updated. originally published 02/20/2015) - For those with celiac disease, even trace amounts of gluten can lead to severe health consequences, including digestive distress, nutrient malabsorption, and long-term damage to the small intestine. As such, identifying truly gluten-free alcoholic beverages is essential for enjoying drinks safely.
Navigating the world of alcoholic beverages can be daunting for individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. Hidden gluten sources in certain drinks can trigger adverse reactions, making it crucial to identify safe options. This guide provides a detailed overview of gluten-free alcoholic beverages and essential tips for ensuring a worry-free social experience.
Understanding Gluten in Alcohol
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Many alcoholic beverages contain grains such as wheat, barley, and rye, which are harmful to individuals with celiac disease. These grains are commonly found in brewing and distillation processes. While distillation removes gluten proteins in most cases, cross-contamination and added flavorings can introduce gluten back into the final product.
Distilled Spirits
Distillation removes gluten proteins from the final product, and starting 9/14/2020 distilled alcohols can be labelled "gluten-free" no matter their source. That means all distilled spirits are technically gluten-free. However, some people with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity have adverse reactions to spirits distilled from wheat, barley or rye. Many people with celiac disease have no problems at all with such spirits. The best advice we can give is to trust your gut. Avoid eating or drinking things that upset your stomach. However, unless they have added gluten ingredients, such spirits do not contain gluten, and are safe to drink. If you tolerate them well, you can be comforted by the fact that they are likely just as safe as spirits made from gluten-free ingredients and labeled 'Gluten-Free."
Gluten-Free Beer
In the United States, products labeled gluten-free must not contain or be made from wheat, rye or barley. That means many beers cannot be labeled gluten-free. Beers made with gluten-free ingredients and are gluten-free and can be labeled gluten-free. Regular beers, even those labeled as “gluten-removed,” may not be safe for individuals with celiac disease. These products are made using barley and undergo an enzymatic process to reduce gluten content, but they may not be entirely gluten-free.
Gluten-Removed Beer
A number of beers are treated with enzymes to break down gluten. These beers are typically filtered to remove any stray proteins. Such beers can be labeled Gluten-Free in EU, but not in Canada or the US.
Is Wine Gluten-Free?
Wine is generally safe for celiacs because it is made from fermented grapes. Both red and white wines are naturally gluten-free. However, certain practices in winemaking can introduce gluten, such as using wheat-based fining agents.
Lists of Gluten-Free and Gluten-Safe Spirits, Beers, Ciders and Seltzers:
Naturally Gluten-free Beers
- Anheuser-Busch Redbridge
- Bard's Gold
- Bard's Tale Beer
- Brasserie Dupont Forêt Libre
- Brasseurs Sans Gluten Glutenberg Blanche
- Brunehaut Bio Ambrée
- Brunehaut Blonde Bio
- Brunehaut Blanche
- Burning Brothers Brewing
- Coors Peak
- Dogfish Head Craft Brewed Ales: Tweason'ale
- Departed Soles Brewing Company
- Drummond Gluten Free
- Epic Brewing Company: Glutenator
- Ghostfish Brewery
- Glutenberg American Pale Ale
- Glutenberg Blonde
- Glutenberg Belgian Double
- Glutenberg India Pale Ale
- Glutenberg Rousse
- Green's Discovery Amber Ale
- Green's Endeavour
- Green's Enterprise Dry-Hopped Lager
- Green's India Pale Ale
- Green's Quest Tripel Blonde Ale
- Ground Breaker Corsa Rose Gold Ale
- Ground Breaker IPA No. 5
- Ground Breaker Dark Ale
- Holidaily Brewing Company
- Ipswich Ale Brewery: Celia Saison
- Joseph James Brewing Fox Tail
- Lakefront New Grist Ginger Style Ale
- Lakefront New Grist Pilsner Style
- Minhas Lazy Mutt Gluten Free
- Mongozo Premium Pilsener
- New Planet Belgian Style Ale
- New Planet Blonde Ale
- New Planet Pale Ale
- New Planet Raspberry Ale
- New Planet Seclusion IPA
- New Planet Tread Lightly Session Ale
- Nickel Brook Gluten Free
- Nouvelle France La Messagère
- Nouvelle-France Messagère Aux Fruits
- Nouvelle-France Messagère Red Ale
- Schnitzer Bräu Hirse Lemon
- Schnitzer Bräu Hirse Premium
- Sprecher Brewing Company's Shakparo Ale
- Steadfast Beer gluten-free Blonde and Pale Ales
- Steadfast Beer Company's Oatmeal Cream Stout
- To Øl Reparationsbajer Gluten Free
- Whistler Forager
Gluten-Removed Beers
- Alley Kat Scona Gold Kölsch
- Brunehaut Bio Tripel
- Estrella Damm Daura
- Estrella Damm Daura Marzen
- Lammsbräu Glutenfrei Lager Beer
- Mikkeller American Dream Gluten Free
- Mikkeller Green Gold Gluten Free
- Mikkeller I Wish Gluten Free IPA
- Mikkeller Peter, Pale And Mary Gluten Free
- New Belgium Glutiny brand Golden and Pale Ales
- Short's Brewing Space Rock
- Stone Delicious IPA
- Sufferfest Brewing Company Pale Ale and Lager
- Widmer Omission Lager
- Widmer Omission IPA
- Widmer Omission Pale Ale
- Wold Top Against The Grain
- Wold Top Marmalade Porter
- Wold Top Scarborough Fair IPA
Gluten-Free Hard Cider
Most ciders are fermented from apples or other fruits. Most are safe, however, some add barley for enzymes and flavor. Read labels!
Brands of Gluten-Free Hard Cider
- Ace Ciders
- Angry Orchard
- Blue Mountain Cider Company
- Blackthorn Cider
- Bulmer's Hard Cider
- Crispin Cider (including Fox Barrel products)
- Gaymer Cider Company
- Harpoon Craft Cider
- J.K. Scrumpy's Organic Hard Cider
- Lazy Jack's Cider
- Magner's Cider
- Newton's Folly Hard Cider
- Original Sin Hard Cider
- Spire Mountain Draft Cider
- Strongbow Cider
- Stella Artois Apple and Pear Hard Cidre
- Woodchuck
- Woodpecker Cider
Gluten-Free Hard Seltzers
Hard seltzers have gained immense popularity as gluten-free alcoholic beverages. These drinks are typically made from fermented cane sugar and carbonated water with added flavors.
Popular Gluten-Free Hard Seltzer Brands
Arctic Summer
- Spiked pineapple pomelo seltzer
- Spiked ruby red grapefruit seltzer
- Spiked raspberry lime seltzer
- Spiked black cherry seltzer
Bodega Bay Hard Seltzer
- Apple
- Cherry
- Elderflower
Bon & Viv Spiked Seltzer
- Black Cherry Rosemary
- Grapefruit
- Pear Elderflower
- Cranberry
- Clementine Hibiscus
- Lemon Lime
- Prickly Pear
Bold Rock Seltzer
- Berry
- Blackberry Hard Lemonade Seltzer
- Blood Orange Hard Lemonade Seltzer
- Cucumber Melon
- Grapefruit
- Original Hard Lemonade Seltzer
- Passion Fruit
- Strawberry Hard Lemonade Seltzer
Briggs Hard Seltzer
- Grapefruit
- Pineapple
- Cranberry
WARNING: Bud Light Seltzer sold in Canada contains malt and is NOT gluten free.
Bud Light Seltzer
- Black Cherry Bud Light Seltzer
- Strawberry Bud Light Seltzer
- Lemon Lime Bud Light Seltzer
- Mango Bud Light Seltzer
Bud Light Seltzer Lemonade
- Original Lemonade
- Strawberry Lemonade
- Black Cherry Lemonade
- Peach Lemonade
Bud Light Platinum Seltzer
- Bud Light Platinum Original
- Bud Light Platinum Blood Orange
- Bud Light Platinum Citrus
- Bud Light Platinum Wild Berry
Bud Light Seltzer Iced Tea
- Bud Light Seltzer Iced Tea Raspberry
Bud Light Seltzer Out of Office
- Classic Lime Margarita
- Mango Mai Tai
- Strawberry Daquiri
- Watermelon Mojito
Cape Line
- Hard Strawberry Lemonade
- Margarita
- Blackberry Mojito
Coors Hard Seltzer
- Black Cherry
- Grapefruit
- Lemon Lime
- Mango
Corona Hard Seltzer
- Passion Fruit
- Pineapple
- Raspberry
- Strawberry
Crook & Marker
- Black Cherry
- Tangerine
- Strawberry Lemon
- Blackberry Lime
- Grapefruit
- Mango
- Peach
High Noon Sun Sips
- Grapefruit
- Pineapple
- Black Cherry
- Watermelon
Michelob ULTRA Organic Seltzers
- Citrus
- Cucumber Lime
- Mango Apricot
- Mixed Berry
- Peach Pear
- Spicy Pineapple
Mighty Swell
- Watermelon Mint
- Peach
- Cherry Lime
- Grapefruit
Nauti Seltzer
- Watermelon
- Black Cherry
- Blueberry Lemonade
- Mixed Berry
Truly - According to the Truly website, Truly Hard Seltzer "contains no gluten, liquor or spirits. The alcohol (ABV 5%) comes from fermenting all natural cane sugar.”
- Wild Berry
- Blueberry & Acai
- Raspberry Lime
- Black Cherry
- Lime
- Grapefruit
- Orange
- Lemon
- Pineapple
- Mango
- Passion Fruit
- Watermelon & Kiwi
- Rosé
- Truly on Tap (unflavored)
White Claw - According to the White Claw website, "White Claw Hard Seltzer is made with naturally gluten-free ingredients."
- Black Cherry
- Mango
- Natural Lime
- Ruby Grapefruit
- Raspberry
- Watermelon
- Lemon
- Tangerine
- Pineapple
- Clementine
A number of hard seltzer are crafted to remove gluten. Many people with celiac disease report no problem with gluten-removed alcohol products, like gluten-removed beers, but we recommend choosing gluten-free seltzers, especially with so many to choose from.
Gluten-Removed Hard Seltzers
A number of ciders labeled as “gluten-removed,” may not be safe for individuals with celiac disease. These products may made using barley and undergo an enzymatic process to reduce gluten content, but they may not be entirely gluten-free.
Press Premium Hard Seltzer
- Blackberry Hibiscus
- Grapefruit Cardamom
- Pomegranate Ginger
- Lime Lemongrass
- Pear Chamomile
Pura Still Spiked Still Water
- Blackberry
- Mango
- Mandarin Orange
Smirnoff Spiked Sparkling Seltzer
- Cranberry Lime
- Berry Lemonade
- Raspberry Rosé White Peach Rosé
- Pink Apple Rosé
- Strawberry Rosé
- Piña Colada
Benefits for Celiacs
Hard seltzers are convenient, low in calories, and naturally gluten-free, making them a favorite choice for social gatherings.
Is Gin Gluten-Free?
Most gins are made with gluten-containing cereal grains. The final distilled product does not contain gluten, but cannot be advertised or labeled as gluten-free. Many people with celiac disease choose to avoid these beverages, while many others drink them with no adverse effects.
Brands of Gluten-Free Gin
- Cold River Gin—distilled from potatoes
Brands of Standard Gin
- Aviation American Gin
- Beefeater
- Bombay
- Bombay Sapphire
- Boodles British Gin
- Booth's Gin
- Gordon's
- Leopolds Gin
- New Amsterdam Gin
- Seagram's
- Tanqueray
Is Rum Gluten-Free?
Distilled from sugar cane, most rums are gluten-free and safe for celiacs. Beware of pre-made drink mixes, such as those intended for piña coladas — many of these contain gluten ingredients as flavoring.
Brands of Gluten-Free Rum
- Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum
- Bacardi—only Gold, Superior, 151, and flavored
- Bayou Rum
- Bundaberg Rum
- Captain Morgan Rum
- Cruzan Rum
- Malibu Rum
- Montanya Distillers
- Mount Gay Rum
- Meyer's Rum
Gluten-Free Sake
Fermented with rice and Koji enzymes. The Koji enzymes are grown on Miso, which is usually made with barley. The two-product separation from barley, and the manufacturing process should make it safe for celiacs.
Is Tequila Gluten-Free?
Distilled from the agave cactus, all 100% agave tequilas are gluten-free and safe for celiacs.
Brands of Gluten-free Tequila
- 1519 Tequila
- 1800 Tequila
- Cabo Wabo
- Casamigos
- Cazadores
- Chimayo
- Don Julio
- El Jimador
- Herradura
- Hornitos
- Jose Cuervo
- Patrón
- Sauza
Is Vodka Gluten-Free?
Vodkas distilled from potatoes, gluten-free grains or other gluten-free ingredients contain no gluten ingredients and can be labeled as gluten-free.
Brands of Naturally Gluten-Free Vodka
- Broken Shed Vodka
- Corn Vodka—Deep Eddy, Nikolai, Rain, Tito's, UV
- Grape Vodka—Bombora, Cooranbong
- Potato Vodka—Boyd & Blair, Cirrus, Chase, Chopin, Cold River Vodka, Cracovia, Grand Teton, Karlsson's, Luksusowa, Monopolowa, Schramm Organic, Zodiac
- Rice Vodka—Kissui
- Sugar Cane—Downunder, DOT AU
Many vodkas are made with gluten-containing cereal grains. The final product does not contain gluten, but cannot be advertised or labeled as gluten-free. Many people with celiac disease choose to avoid these beverages, while many others drink them with no adverse effects.
Vodkas distilled from cereal grains
- Barley Vodka—Finlandia
- Grain Vodka—Absolwent, Blavod, Bowman's, Fleischmann's, Orloff, Polonaise, SKYY, Smirnoff, Stolichnaya,
- Wheat Vodka—Absolut, Bong Spirit, Danzka, Grey Goose, Hangar One, Ketel One, P.i.n.k Vodka
- Rye Vodka—Belvedere, BiaÅ‚a Dama, Platinka, Sobieski, Starka, Wisent, Wyborowa, Xellent Swiss, Å»ubrówka
- Gluten-Free Whiskey
Nearly all whiskeys are made with gluten-containing cereal grains. The final product does not contain gluten, but cannot be advertised or labeled as gluten-free. Many people with celiac disease choose to avoid whiskey, while many others drink it with no adverse effects.
Gluten-free Whiskey Brands
- Queen Jennie Whiskey, by Old Sugar Distillery is made entirely from sorghum
- Gold Spur Corn Whiskey by Cowboy Country Distilling is made with corn, millet and oats
Whiskeys Distilled from Cereal Grains
- Bourbon—Benjamin Prichard's, Booker's, Buffalo Trace, Jim Beam, Early Times, Ezra Brooks, Jefferson's Bourbon, Knob Creek, Makers Mark, Old Crow, Old Forester, Old Grand-Dad
- Canadian Whiskey—Alberta Premium, Black Velvet, Canadian Club, Crown Royal,
- Tenesse Whiskey—Jack Daniels, George Dickel.
- Irish Whiskey—Bushmills, Jameson, Kilbeggan, Redbreast, Tullamore Dew
- Japanese Blended Whiskey—Hibiki, Kakubin, Nikka,
- Japanese Single Malt Whiskey—Hakushu, Yamazaki, Yoichi
- Rye Whiskey—Alberta Premium, Bulleitt
- Scotch Whiskey Blends—Ballentine's, Bell's, Black Grouse, Chivas Regal, Cutty Sark, Dewar's, Famous Grouse, Johnnie Walker, Teacher's, Whitehorse
- Scotch Whiskey Single Malts—Bowmore, Glenfiddich, Glen Grant, The Glenlivet, Glenmorangie, Highland Park, Knockando, Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Macallan, Monkey Shoulder, Singleton, Talisker
- Taiwanese Whiskey—Kavalan Classic
Are Wine Coolers Gluten-Free?
The majority of wine coolers are made from barley products, and so contain gluten. There are a few exceptions.
Gluten-Free Wine Coolers
- Bartle & Jaymes - all EXCEPT malt beverages
- Boones - all EXCEPT malt beverages
Other Gluten-Free Alcoholic Brews, Wines and Spirits
- Brandy
- Campari
- Champagne
- Cognac—made from grapes
- Cointreau
- Grappa
- Jaegermeister
- Midori
- Prosecco
- Khalua Coffee Liquer
- Kirschwasser (cherry liqueur)
- Old Deadly Cider
- Sambuca
- Vermouth
Gluten-Free Drink Mixes
- Club Extra Dry Martini (corn & grape)
- Club Vodka Martini (corn & grape)
- Coco Casa and Coco Lopez Brands: Cream of Coconut
- Jose Cuervo Brand: Margarita Mix and All Jose Cuervo Blenders
- Master of Mixes Brand: Tom Collins, Whiskey Sour, Strawberry Daiquiri, Sweet & Sour Mixer, and Margarita Mix
- Mr. & Mrs. T—Except Bloody Mary Mix
- TGI Friday's Brand: On The Rocks, Long Island Ice Tea, Margarita, Mudslide, Pina Colada, and Strawberry Daiquiri.
- TGI Friday's Club Cocktails including: Gin Martini, Manhattan, Screwdriver, Vodka Martini, and Whiskey Sour mix.
Other Gluten-free Beverages Mixes & Cooking Alcohol
- Club Tom Collins—made with corn
- Diamond Jims Bloody Mary Mystery
- Holland House - all EXCEPT Teriyaki Marinade and Smooth & Spicy Bloody Mary Mixes
- Mead—made from honey
- Mistico: Jose Cuervo Mistico—agave and cane
- Ouzo - made from grapes and anise
- Spice Islands - Cooking Wines - Burgundy, Sherry and White
- Also Godiva products contain gluten as do Smirnoff FMB's, Twisted V, and Smirnoff Ice
Additives Are Sometimes Used in Alcohols/Spirits
Certain spirits use chemical additives and preservatives such as glycerin to create a specific "mouth feel" and texture in an alcoholic beverage. Propylene glycol is used in foods and spirits, and although these ingredients are gluten-free, some people do have allergic reactions to them. Sulfites are often added to red wines, and many people are allergic to them.
Tips for Staying Safe
Even with this guide, vigilance is key to ensuring a safe drinking experience. Follow these tips to avoid accidental gluten exposure:
- Research Brands: Check the manufacturer’s website or contact them directly to confirm gluten-free status.
- Read Labels: Look for certified gluten-free labels, especially on flavored spirits or pre-mixed drinks.
- Avoid Cross-Contamination: Ensure the bar or restaurant uses clean equipment to prepare your drink.
- Stick to Simplicity: Opt for straightforward drinks like pure spirits and mixers to minimize risk.
- Be Cautious with Cocktails: Fancy cocktails often contain syrups, bitters, or garnishes that may introduce gluten.
Conclusion
For individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, enjoying alcohol doesn’t have to be a gamble. By sticking to safe options such as gluten-free spirits, wines, hard seltzers, and certified beers, you can partake in celebrations without compromising your health. Remember, informed choices and vigilance are your best allies when navigating the world of gluten-free alcohol.
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