Navigating GF Alcohol
Gluten-free alcohol can be tricky and I've found that a fair amount of bars/restaurants/etc. lack knowledge in regards what constitutes a truly gluten-free drink. Just to be clear, for this blog post: my definition of "GF" or "safe" (synonymous terms for someone with Celiac or a gluten allergy) does not include drinks that have gluten "removed," but rather consists of alcohol that is naturally GF and is therefore completely safe if you are choosing to consume alcohol in your GF lifestyle.
Here's why it get's tricky: different brands make things differently so you cannot assume that since x brand of vodka is safe, y brand will be safe too because they are the same "type" of alcohol (some are made from potato, others are made from various grain sources). And sometimes it even differs within a brand...At outside establishments, I ALWAYS ask how the drink is made, and then I ask which brand of x,y,z is used. I also ask them to please inform their bartender that I have a serious allergy to gluten (I know... Celiac is NOT an allergy but from my experience they unfortunately take it more seriously this way. And they should be treated with the same caution anyways tbh, but that conversation is for another day!). While the they discusses this with whoever is making the drink, I do my own online research so that when they come back with a consensus I either 1) feel that much safer, or 2) I can say "no thank you" dependent on what found through researching.Below I have made lists of alcohol that is "safe," and alcohol that you should, "stay away" from if you have Celiac disease, gluten allergy, or have other serious adverse reactions to gluten. I hope it's helpful!
S A F E :
Vodka:
Tito's brand, Smirnoff (plain), Ciroc Ultra-Premium, Crystal Head; corn & potato vodkas
Pre-made drinks:
Truly, White Claw, "Skinny Girl Margarita," Jose Cuervo Authentic Cuervo Margaritas, Jose Cuervo Margarita Minis, Jose Cuervo Golden Margaritas
Tequila:
Jose Cuervo, 100% blue agave tequila (tequila is one of the safest bets as long as it's real tequila, see "stay away" section for more details)
Rum:
PLAIN rum only, any brand should be safe if plain (it's made from sugar cane)
Wine:
*Most* wines are safe, so long as they do not add barley or anything for flavoring during the aging process etc (though this is rare, I've personally never come across a pure wine that was not GF)
Sangria:
Pure Sangria made solely from wine, sugar, and fruit IS SAFE, however I have been places where they serve pre-made Sangria from a buyer that does contain gluten
Hard ciders:
Stella, Angry Orchard's, Magner's, Strongbow... typically hard ciders are naturally gluten-free as it's made by fermenting fruit. Be careful to read the ingredients and ensure that brewers didn't add barley as a flavor enhancer. Milk & Honey Ciders are all gluten-free.
*And if you are a cider or beer-lover and happen to be in MN, Burning Brother's serves 100% gluten-free beers and sometimes they even have a certified GF food truck outside their establishment called Auntie M's featuring corn dogs, cheese curds, donuts..!
S T A Y A W A Y :
Vodka:
Grey Goose, Smirnoff flavored vodka, New Amsterdam (some of these claim to be GF due to the distillery process... but all of them are indeed made from wheat and not safe)
Whiskey/Scotch/Bourbon:
All forms! These liquors are made of various grains that may be malted- including barley, corn, rye, and wheat. This is controversial in the GF world because some say they're GF as the the gluten is 'removed'... if you have Celiac or an allergy to any of those grains or gluten, I would absolutely recommend to stay away!
Canned drinks:
BEER (we all know this but I couldn't leave it off my list...), Smirnoff Ice, Smirnoff coolers, Lime-a-Rita (this goes for all flavors), Mike's Hard Lemonade (there is a Mike's Hard Lemonade variation that labeled GF. I have heard of multiple people getting sick after consuming this... beware of this)
Rum:
Flavored or spiced rums (they may be hiding wheat, barley, malt... I personally never trust the term, 'natural flavors')
Tequila:
Tequilas including the term 'mixto,' this is generally found in cheap tequilas and indicates that it likely contains gluten
Hard Ciders:
Redd's Apple Ale
**I do still encourage you to continue to read ingredient lists! While this is a compilation of my research and experience, it is certainly not a sacred doctrine for GF alcohol consumption... but it's a good quick-list to refer to if you have questions... I hope it can be helpful :)