G-Free Foodie’s Gluten Free Alcoholic Beverage Guide
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Jun
10
G-Free Foodie’s Gluten Free Alcoholic Beverage Guide
by G-Free Foodie Team, Posted June 10th, 2011 at 2:53 pm
Hey Everybody – we get lots of questions about Gluten in Alcohol, and we’re here to set the record straight. Here’s our list of Gluten Free Spirits, and some information from those in the know. Plus, there’s links to some of our articles about specific liquors, so you can really get the 411 on your favorite cocktail.
First: the general opinion from doctors & Celiac specialists is that distilled spirits are Gluten Free, since the distillation period would kill any gluten proteins present. This does not include flavored (Vanilla Vodka, Peach Schnapps) or blended spirits (X-Rated, Blackberry Merlot, Pre-made Margaritas) – you must check those out on a case-by-case basis (you hear us, Appletini drinkers?) And you know the rule at G-Free Foodie: “If you don’t know, then NO” – choose something else if you aren’t absolutely sure your toddy is safe.
Here’s a little more info: The European Food Safety Authority considers distilled alcohol “unlikely to cause a severe reaction” in those with grain allergies and the Canadian Celiac Association allows distilled alcoholic beverages for celiacs even if they’re made with wheat, rye, or barley, since “the distillation process should remove the reaction-causing proteins”. However, the Celiac Sprue Foundation recommends no hard liquor from grains containing gluten during the early phases of a gluten-free diet.
Liquors distilled from Gluten-containing grains include: some Vodkas, Whiskey & Bourbon.
Here’s the list, with a few notes, of course:
- Absinthe
- Armagnac
- Beer - GLUTEN FREE only, check out our Gluten Free Beer list
- Bourbon
- Brandy
- Calvados
- Champagne
- Cognac
- Frangelico
- Fruit brandy – that’s FRUIT brandy, not flavored brandy
- Gin
- Grand Marnier
- Grappa
- Jägermeister – good news, right? You can still have a Surfer on Acid when you need to revisit college days
- Kahlua
- Kirschwasser
- Mead – honey wine
- Ouzo
- Pisco
- Port Wine
- Rum
- Sherry
- Southern Comfort
- Tequila
- Triple Sec
- Vermouth
- Vodka - made from multiple sources, check out our Gluten Free Vodka Debate article
- Whisky
- Wine - not Wine Coolers or Wine drinks, Wine. Read Is Wine Gluten Free? for the details
Cheers to you & your health, from the G-Free Foodie Team. Salute!
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I thought Whiskey was a no-no and always contained gluten. Which brands of whiskey are gluten-free?
Rose – the general opinion from doctors & Celiac specialists is that distilled spirits are Gluten Free, since the distillation period would kill any gluten proteins present. More information is included in the article -
KC @ G-Free Foodie
Anybody know about bourbons and scotches?
I’ve had Jack, Jim, & Knob w/no problem.
Vodka and whiskey have always made me sick so I am not sure about that… perhaps it depends on the person. What about Sake? Is Sake GF?
Sake is Rice Wine, and is normally Gluten Free – read the label thoroughly, especially flavored sake.
For those concerned about Whiskey – You may have the best luck with an American Bourbon whiskey, which is made primarily from corn – Maker’s Mark is one to try. Jack Daniels & Gentleman Jack are also Bourbon whiskeys, and there are several small-batch or single barrell options too.
The G-Free Foodie Crew
This is a great site, thank you….so based on your notes, PEACH SCHNAPPS is not gluten free?
It depends on the maker – so we didn’t list it.
It’s not that the distillation "kills" gluten, it’s that the distillation process leaves the gluten molecules behind. Therefore all distilled (unflavored) spirits, including whisky, rye, etc., is GF, just as all distilled vinegar is GF. Malt vinegar is not distilled and is therefore not GF.
So peach flavored brandy is not GF?
I am gluten free and most of the liquors that are produced in the US say distilled from GRAIN neutral spirits… I have problems with all of these… as a rule of thumb I stick to Polish or Russian vodkas made from Potatoes, Puerto Rican rum is from sugar cane, Southern Comfort is made of corn, if it says grain on the label at all I don’t drink it. Even though the distilling process supposedly makes the liquor Gluten Free I still end up with rashes, migraines, heartburn, and such within an hour of drinking only an ounce or two of the "grain neutral" spirits. I wouldn’t chance it.
Is Amaretto or Sweet and Sour GF? I like to drink Amaretto Sours.
Be careful with any whiskey’s some will add in a malt during bottling. IF they don’t, it is gluten free but my daughter was affected from a US whiskey we used to cook with. Single malt is usually ok.
I think a lot can depend on the individual – some people may react to other ingredients (or the effects of the alcohol) and quickly assume there must be gluten content, when it actually is something entirely different.
I am gluten intolerant and I have had what i thought were reactions to gluten with products that Celiac friends are fine with.
I test everything that is supposedly gluten free in small amounts just to ensure it works well with me.
I too am gluten intolerant (rather than celiac) and whiskey has horrible effects on me for as long as two days after consumption. Vodkas such as Svedka have similar effects, leaving me lightheaded and broken out for days. It is different than just a hangover so I’m fairly sure those symptoms are reactions to the contamination. When in doubt I won’t even risk it with vodkas & whiskey I do not recognize.
Is Godiva chocolate and white chocolate liqueur gluten free
the manufacturer says it is, Terri.
Sounds like that’s what best for you, Emily! We encourage everyone to make the best choices for their own health!
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