With gluten-free alcohol options for tequila, bourbon, rum, gin, vodka, and more, this is the only guide you need to navigate the liquor store on a gluten-free diet.
One of the most frustrating aspects of gluten allergy is that it often interferes with your fun. It took me a while to get over my denial that not all bottles of vodka, gin and rum are actually gluten-free, although theoretically, as with many old-world dishes, they were in theory when they were originally made.
In this post, I share a list of the best and most common gluten free alcohol options available, including choices for bourbon, vodka, gin, tequila, and rum.
Switch to your favorite gluten-free alcohol:
There were times in my twenties when I cared less about the gluten content of my cup. I’m not alone in this, mind you. My friend Jessie is Celiac but also a good old Southern girl. She has refused to give up whiskey and remains a believer that the distillation process removes much of the gluten, justifying her continued devotion to mint juleps (among other gluten-free cocktails and drinks).
But since this post on the best gluten-free beer and cider brands was so popular, I thought it was worth doing some research. And I was surprised to find out that just because they’re fancy, Gray Goose and Kettle aren’t necessarily wheat-free. Oops.
What can make finding gluten-free alcohol brands difficult is that even if a spirit is made with gluten-containing ingredients and the alcohol is processed to remove gluten, the brand can still label the product as gluten-free. For many who are simply just sensitive to gluten, this may not be a problem. But people with celiac disease should be aware that small traces of gluten can still be present.
I’ve compiled a list of gluten-free alcohols below, in addition to more information on whether bourbon, vodka, gin, tequila, rum, wine, and champagne can generally be considered gluten-free if you come across a less mainstream brand.
Unless you’re in a desperate situation — like having a wedding after-party in a hotel room while all your college buddies try to keep up the fun with a measly bottle of vodka and no mixers but the glass of homemade Honey comes as part of your welcome bag (which tastes really delicious with vodka, by the way) — you should be able to find at least one of these gluten-free alcohol options to sip on.
With health and hedonism,
Phoebe
LIST OF GLUTEN FREE ALCOHOL
The best gluten-free bourbon and whiskey brands
When I was first diagnosed with a gluten allergy, I just assumed that all alcohols in the whiskey family were off-limits as they were made from non-gluten-free grains. This was very worrying as the hot season is my favorite season. Fortunately, there are some gluten-free whiskeys.
Is whiskey gluten free?
Scotch and Irish whiskey are both made from 100% malted barley, as is Japanese whiskey, which is modeled after Scotch. Rye whiskey is made from a blend of at least 51% rye, with the remaining mash usually being corn. Despite being rye, Canadian whiskey typically uses far less rye and more corn than American whiskey.
Bourbon, on the other hand, is an American type of whiskey that is traditionally made exclusively from corn. Unfortunately, many brands these days use malted barley as part of the mix. So it’s not a completely safe gluten-free category, just a better choice than most whiskies.
My choice: Manufacturer brand It’s on many gluten-free lists, and while the Lapines are a devout Jack Daniels family, it’s my favorite bourbon option (don’t tell me). However, Celiac.com reports that Marker’s Mark uses a small percentage of wheat in the mash in addition to corn. I ate it with no reaction as the gluten protein does not survive the distillation process but please avoid if you are very sensitive. For more niche, small-batch options that use 100 percent corn, see here, including Hudson Baby Bourbon.
The best gluten-free rum brands
Is rum gluten free?
Rum is made from sugar cane, specifically molasses, making all rums a naturally gluten-free product. As long as you don’t choose specific flavors, most rum brands are safe choices for people with gluten allergies.
My choice: Bacardi Superior. Bacardi has confirmed that all products except Bacardi Silver are gluten free. If you like dark rum, Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum is also considered gluten-free.
The Best Gluten Free Tequila and Mezcal Brands
Is tequila gluten free?
Because it’s made from agave, most tequilas are gluten-free. But be wary of the cheaper tequilas which will give you a hangover similar to #4 on this list regardless of the gluten.
Mezcal is also made from blue agave, but the process involves roasting, which gives mezcal its signature smoky flavor.
My choice: Patron Silver is confirmed gluten free. Jose Cuervo is also gluten free if you’re looking for a cheaper option. And finally, Rosaluna is certified gluten-free for mezcal.
The best gluten-free vodka brands
Is vodka gluten free?
Traditionally made vodka from the old country was naturally gluten-free as it was distilled from potatoes. Today, however, vodka is sometimes made from other ingredients that contain gluten, such as rye and barley. Popular gluten-free vodka brands today are made from corn, potatoes, and rice.
My choice: My favorite, albeit a little more niche, is Tito’s vodka, which is made entirely from corn. Smirnoff products are labeled gluten-free, but are made from gluten-free rye. If you are very sensitive, avoid it – especially some of the flavors. Smirnoff Ice is not gluten free. I wish I had known that when “icing” people was still a thing. This would have been a great free card for getting out of prison.
The best gluten free gin brands
Is gin gluten free?
Like vodka, gin used to be considered a gluten-free spirit because it was made from juniper berries. Today, however, many modern brands use a base alcohol made from grains containing gluten and add juniper and botanicals later in the distillation process. For example, Bombay Sapphire is made from wheat and rye. However, since it is removed in the distillation, they consider their product to be gluten-free.
Gin is one of the categories of gluten-free alcohol that you should be aware of your sensitivity to. Some celiacs who react easily even with the protein removed in the distillation should avoid most gins.
My choice: A Hendricks G&T with cucumber is one of the most delicious cocktails on this planet. It’s also widely available abroad, so a good option if you don’t know how to say “is that gluten free?” in French. It’s considered safe by celiac disease organizations, although it’s made from some rye. However, if you’re looking for something that’s 100 percent potato, try Cold River Gin. You just won’t find it in bars everywhere.
Is Campari gluten free?
I’ve done quite a bit of research on here and found some conflicting information. However, this site puts Campari on their GF list. There is nothing about the ingredients to suggest otherwise. My mom (also girlfriend) and I drink a lot of Campari soda before dinner. At heart we are old Italian men, so to speak. And we had no problem with that.
Is champagne, wine or cider gluten free?
All spirits made from grapes, such as wine and champagne, are naturally gluten-free. If you are looking for the best biodynamic and organic wines, check out my list.
Likewise, most brands of cider are made from apples and are completely gluten-free. Check out my list of the best gluten-free cider brands here.
More Gluten Free Diet Resources You’ll Love:
DISCLAIMER: Everyone’s sensitivities are different. So please don’t trust me that you won’t feel any reaction to these products. Be careful if you are severely allergic and test the water to see if you can tolerate each brand. Where I can, I have provided links to research done by others on these alcohols.