A Nutrition Diet for Celiac: What Beverages Can You Drink with Celiac Disease?

October 15, 2025 •

4 min read

For individuals with celiac disease, a gluten-free lifestyle is a necessity for maintaining health and wellness. While much attention is often given to food, it is equally important to understand what beverages can you drink with celiac disease, as many common drinks contain hidden sources of gluten. This guide will help you confidently choose safe options.

Quick Summary

This article outlines which alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are safe for people with celiac disease, explaining why some are gluten-free by nature while others require careful label reading. It details the process of distillation and highlights hidden gluten risks in flavorings and mixed beverages.

Key Points

Distilled Spirits Are Safe: Pure distilled spirits like vodka, rum, and tequila are gluten-free due to the distillation process, which removes gluten proteins.
Check Flavored Drinks: The risk with spirits and other beverages comes from flavorings, mixers, and other additives introduced after distillation, which can contain gluten.
Wine and Cider are Naturally Safe: Unflavored wines and ciders are generally safe for celiacs as they are made from grapes and apples, respectively.
Avoid Traditional Beer and 'Gluten-Removed' Beer: Traditional beer contains barley malt and is unsafe. 'Gluten-removed' beer is also not considered safe, as it may still contain trace amounts of gluten.
Be Vigilant for Hidden Gluten: Hidden gluten can be found in non-alcoholic beverages like specialty coffee creamers, some sodas, and cocktail mixes.
Prioritize Certified Products: Look for products with a 'Certified Gluten-Free' label to ensure they meet strict standards and are safe for consumption.

Understanding Gluten in Beverages

Gluten is a protein found primarily in grains such as wheat, barley, and rye. For people with celiac disease, consuming even tiny amounts of gluten can trigger an immune response that damages the small intestine. While most people associate gluten with food like bread and pasta, it can also be found in many drinks, especially those that are fermented or flavored.

Traditionally brewed beverages like beer, ale, and stout use malted barley, making them off-limits unless specifically certified as gluten-free. However, the good news is that a wide variety of delicious and safe beverages are available for those on a gluten-free diet.

Safe Non-Alcoholic Drinks

Most non-alcoholic beverages are naturally gluten-free, but vigilance is key, especially with flavored or powdered versions.

Everyday Options

Water: Plain, sparkling, or flavored water is always a safe, hydrating choice.
Pure Juices: 100% fruit or vegetable juices are typically gluten-free. Just be cautious of added ingredients in juice drinks or cocktails.
Soft Drinks: Most major brand sodas, such as Coca-Cola and Sprite, are gluten-free. However, some obscure brands or flavors might contain additives with gluten, so it's best to read the label.
Tea and Coffee: Plain brewed coffee and tea from tea bags or loose leaves are gluten-free. The risk lies in additives like coffee creamers, mixes, and syrups, which may contain gluten.
Milk: Most milk, dairy, and non-dairy alternatives (e.g., almond, soy) are gluten-free. Check flavored versions for hidden ingredients.
Kombucha: Many kombucha brands are naturally gluten-free, but some add ingredients that could contain gluten. Look for certified options.

Gluten-Free Alcoholic Beverages

Many alcoholic beverages are naturally gluten-free or made safe through the distillation process. However, some categories require extra caution.

Distilled Spirits: The Case for Safety

All pure, distilled spirits are considered gluten-free by major celiac organizations because the distillation process effectively removes all gluten protein, regardless of the grain used to create the alcohol. This means even spirits made from wheat or barley are safe.

Safe Options: Vodka, gin, rum, tequila, and whiskey are all considered gluten-free after distillation.
Caveats: The risk comes from flavorings or other ingredients added after distillation. Flavored vodkas, spiced rums, and pre-mixed cocktails may introduce gluten. Always check labels or opt for pure, unflavored varieties. Some highly sensitive individuals may still react to spirits from gluten grains, in which case spirits from non-gluten sources (e.g., potato vodka, agave tequila) are available.

Fermented Beverages: Careful Choices

Wine: Both red and white wines, made from grapes, are naturally gluten-free. The same applies to sparkling wines like Champagne and Prosecco. Be cautious of flavored wines or those aged in barrels sealed with wheat paste, though this is less common today.
Hard Cider: Most hard ciders are made from fermented apples and are gluten-free. Just like wine, avoid flavored varieties that may have gluten-containing additives.
Gluten-Free Beer: Several brands now produce beer using naturally gluten-free grains like sorghum, rice, or millet. Look for a "Certified Gluten-Free" label. Avoid "gluten-removed" or "gluten-reduced" beers, which are not safe for those with celiac disease.

A Comparative Look at Gluten-Free Beverages


Beverage Type	Gluten Status	Notes/Cautions
Water (Still & Sparkling)	Gluten-Free	Always safe.
Pure Juices	Generally Gluten-Free	Check for additives or thickeners in juice drinks.
Sodas	Generally Gluten-Free	Most major brands are safe. Watch for flavorings in less common varieties.
Plain Distilled Spirits	Gluten-Free	Distillation removes gluten. Includes vodka, rum, tequila, whiskey.
Plain Wine	Naturally Gluten-Free	Includes red, white, sparkling. Watch for flavored options or aging practices.
Plain Hard Cider	Naturally Gluten-Free	Made from apples. Flavored versions may pose a risk.
Certified Gluten-Free Beer	Certified Gluten-Free	Brewed with naturally gluten-free grains.
Flavored Distilled Spirits/Liqueurs	Potentially Contains Gluten	Flavorings or additives after distillation can add gluten.
Traditional Beer/Ale	Contains Gluten	Avoid, as it's made from barley/wheat malt.
Gluten-Removed Beer	Not Safe for Celiacs	The process may leave trace amounts that trigger a reaction.

Avoiding Hidden Gluten and Cross-Contamination

Even when choosing a seemingly safe drink, cross-contamination is a risk. Consider these tips:

Bar/Restaurant Cocktails: When ordering cocktails, specify that you have a gluten sensitivity. Ensure bartenders use fresh, certified ingredients and clean shakers. Avoid cocktail mixes, which can contain hidden gluten sources.
Brewed and Malted Beverages: Be aware of ingredients like malt extract, barley, or brewer's yeast, which are common culprits.
Mixers: Check the labels of all mixers, including cordial, juices, and flavorings. Pure ingredients are the safest option.

Conclusion

Navigating your beverage choices with celiac disease is manageable with the right knowledge. A wide array of options, from plain water and pure juices to wines, hard ciders, and distilled spirits, are naturally safe. The key is to be vigilant about additives, flavorings, and potential cross-contamination, especially with flavored alcoholic drinks, cocktails, and traditional beers. By carefully reading labels and choosing pure, unprocessed options, you can enjoy a full range of safe and delicious drinks without compromising your health.

Visit Beyond Celiac for more information on gluten-free alcohol.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, all pure, distilled spirits are considered safe because the distillation process effectively removes the gluten protein, even if the spirit was originally made from gluten-containing grains like wheat or barley. The risk arises only from flavors or additives added after distillation.

Yes, pure wines, including red, white, and sparkling varieties, are naturally gluten-free as they are made from grapes. You should, however, be cautious of flavored wines, wine coolers, or wines that may have used gluten-containing additives during processing.

No, beers labeled 'gluten-removed' or 'gluten-reduced' are not safe for people with celiac disease. These beers are made from gluten-containing grains and then treated with an enzyme to break down the gluten. However, they may still contain residual gluten that can trigger a reaction.

While most non-alcoholic drinks like water, pure juices, and sodas are safe, you should be wary of hidden gluten in additives. This includes certain coffee creamers, flavorings, and some juice or sports drinks.

Most hard ciders are gluten-free, as they are typically made from fermented apples or other fruits. As with other beverages, always check the label for any added ingredients, flavorings, or malt that could contain gluten.

To avoid cross-contamination, especially in bars or restaurants, confirm with the bartender that your drink will be made with safe, pure ingredients and in a clean, separate shaker. At home, use dedicated containers and check labels for gluten-free certification.

It is best to avoid flavored vodkas and other flavored spirits unless they are explicitly certified gluten-free, because flavorings and other ingredients are added after the distillation process and can contain gluten. Stick to plain, unflavored varieties for safety.