Are vodka, gin and whisky gluten-free? Yes, distilled spirits are

Yes. Distilled spirits are gluten-free, including vodka, gin, whisky, rum and tequila. That holds even when they’re made from wheat, barley or rye: gluten doesn’t pass into the distilled liquid. Coeliac UK lists all spirits as suitable for coeliac (celiac) disease.

What to check

• Anything added after distilling. Liqueurs, cream liqueurs, flavoured spirits and ready-mixed drinks can have ingredients added afterwards. If a gluten-containing cereal is added, the label has to say so.
• Beer-based and malt drinks. Beer, lager, stout, ale and malt drinks aren’t distilled spirits; they contain gluten unless labelled gluten-free.
• Cocktails. The spirit is fine; ask about mixers, syrups and anything rimmed or garnished with crumbs or biscuit.

In a bar

Spirits with a plain mixer are one of the easiest orders when you eat gluten-free. Cider and wine are usually gluten-free too; beer is the one to ask about.

Keep reading

• The Hidden-Gluten Watchlist: the 15 forbidden names and the ones to check
• Is wine gluten-free?
• Gluten-free beer
• Is barley gluten-free?

Sources: Codex Alimentarius (gluten-free = 20 mg/kg or less), EU Regulation 828/2014, Coeliac UK, NHS. We inform, we don’t diagnose: for medical questions, your doctor or dietitian has the last word.