A gluten-free diet excludes all food that contains any trace of wheat, rye or barley. The list of alcohol you can drink on a gluten-free diet is actually quite long. You must avoid most beers that are made from barley. Other off-limits drinks include malt beverages and distilled spirits, such as rye whiskey, added back to the mash -- which contains gluten.
Hard Alcohol
The distillation process eliminates all traces of gluten from alcohol. Vodka, tequila, rum and gin are clear, gluten-free liquors. Scotch whisky and bourbon are also gluten-free.
Wine
All wine, including sparkling versions, is gluten-free. Italian grappa, mead -- made from honey -- and champagne fall into this category and are safe for gluten-free dieters.
Beer and Cider
Certain beers labeled gluten-free are acceptable on a gluten-free diet. These specialty beers use corn, sorghum, buckwheat and rice instead of barley. Ciders are created by fermenting apples, so they should technically be gluten-free. Some cider manufacturers add barley into their recipe in the form of enzymes or flavoring, so check ingredient labels before imbibing.
Aperitifs and Digestifs
Aperitifs are usually served at the onset of a meal and digestifs at the end. Kahlua, schnapps, cognac and brandy are all gluten-free aperitifs. Sherry, vermouth and grappa are gluten-free digestif options.
References
- "Living Gluten-Free for Dummies;" Donna Korn; 2006
- Celiac.com: Gluten-Free Alcohol
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