Navigating Your Gluten-Free Lifestyle: What drinks can you have with celiac disease?

October 20, 2025 •

5 min read

According to the Celiac Disease Foundation, a strictly gluten-free diet is the only treatment for celiac disease, making awareness of all dietary intake essential. This can often lead to confusion, especially regarding beverages, which may contain hidden sources of gluten or be susceptible to cross-contamination. So, what drinks can you have with celiac disease to stay safe and satisfied?

Quick Summary

This guide provides a clear breakdown of safe beverage options for individuals with celiac disease, covering naturally gluten-free choices, distilled spirits, and essential precautions to prevent cross-contamination in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

Key Points

Naturally Safe Beverages: Plain water, 100% pure juices, and major brand sodas are generally gluten-free and safe for consumption, but always check for hidden additives.
Distilled Spirits are Safe: Pure distilled spirits like vodka, gin, rum, and tequila are considered gluten-free due to the distillation process, even if they originated from gluten-containing grains.
Avoid All Traditional Beer: Traditional beers, lagers, and stouts contain barley malt and are strictly off-limits for celiac patients.
Beware of 'Gluten-Removed' Products: Do not consume products labeled 'gluten-removed,' as they may still contain residual gluten that can trigger a reaction in sensitive individuals.
Watch for Cross-Contamination: At bars and restaurants, be mindful of shared equipment like shakers or tap lines. It is safest to order sealed, naturally gluten-free bottles.
Scrutinize Flavored Drinks: Flavorings added to spirits, wines, ciders, and mixers can introduce gluten. Always read labels or ask the manufacturer directly.
Look for Gluten-Free Certifications: When in doubt, seek out products with a certified gluten-free label to ensure they meet safety standards.

Staying Hydrated and Safe: Everyday Gluten-Free Drinks

For those with celiac disease, ensuring that everyday drinks are free from gluten is a fundamental aspect of managing the condition. Fortunately, many common beverages are naturally gluten-free, providing safe and hydrating options for daily consumption.

Water: Plain water is always a safe, gluten-free option.
Juices: Pure, 100% fruit or vegetable juices are typically safe. However, read labels carefully to check for added ingredients, flavorings, or concentrates that might contain gluten.
Soda and Soft Drinks: Most major brands of soda, such as Coca-Cola and Pepsi products in North America, are considered gluten-free. Nevertheless, always check the ingredients list, as formulations can vary by region or for specialty flavors. Watch out for ingredients like malt flavoring.
Coffee and Tea: Pure, unflavored coffee and tea are naturally gluten-free. The risk comes from flavorings, creamers, or cross-contamination in cafes. Stick to black coffee or tea, or ensure any additions are certified gluten-free.
Smoothies: A homemade smoothie made with gluten-free fruits, vegetables, and safe milk alternatives is an excellent option. When buying pre-made smoothies, verify the ingredients carefully, as some protein powders or additives may contain gluten.

Navigating the Alcohol Aisle with Celiac Disease

For many with celiac disease, alcohol can be a source of concern. While traditional beer is off-limits, there are numerous safe alcoholic options available. Understanding the production process is key to making an informed choice.

Safe Alcoholic Options

Wine: Made from grapes, all pure wines—including red, white, rosé, and sparkling wines like Champagne and Prosecco—are naturally gluten-free. Some flavored wines or those aged in barrels sealed with wheat paste are potential risks, but this is rare in modern production.
Hard Cider: Produced from fermented apples, most hard ciders are naturally gluten-free. As with wine, watch out for flavored varieties that might contain gluten-based additives or malt.
Distilled Spirits: Pure, distilled spirits like vodka, gin, rum, tequila, and whiskey are safe for consumption, as the distillation process removes gluten proteins. Even if made from gluten-containing grains (like wheat-based vodka or barley-based whiskey), the final product is free of gluten.
Hard Seltzers and Canned Cocktails: Many popular brands are certified gluten-free, but always check the label, as some use malted barley as a base.

Proceed with Caution: Grain-Based Spirits and Mixed Drinks

While distillation renders spirits safe for most, a small percentage of highly sensitive individuals with celiac disease may still report reactions to grain-based liquors.

Considerations for Grain-Based Spirits: If you are extremely sensitive, you may opt for vodkas made from potatoes or corn, or tequilas made from 100% agave, to be extra cautious.
Flavored Spirits and Liqueurs: Flavorings or other ingredients added after distillation can reintroduce gluten. Examples include certain liqueurs like some flavored rums, chocolate liqueurs, or cream liqueurs. Always verify with the manufacturer or check for a gluten-free label.

The Danger Zone: Drinks to Absolutely Avoid

For those with celiac disease, certain beverages are strictly prohibited unless explicitly certified otherwise.

Traditional Beer, Ale, Lager, Stout: These are brewed using gluten-containing grains like barley and wheat and are unsafe.
Malt Beverages and Wine Coolers: These often contain barley malt, a definite source of gluten.
Gluten-Removed Beer: These beers, processed to reduce gluten content, are not safe for individuals with celiac disease. Some gluten fragments can remain, and some celiacs still react. Always look for certified “Gluten-Free” beer, which is made from naturally gluten-free ingredients like sorghum or rice.

The Critical Threat of Cross-Contamination

Cross-contamination is a major concern, particularly when dining out. For a drink to be safe, it must not come into contact with any gluten-containing items during preparation.

At a Bar or Restaurant: Shared equipment, such as shakers, blenders, or even tap lines for beer, can contaminate a drink. Order sealed bottles of naturally gluten-free options like wine or hard cider. If ordering a cocktail, inquire about the ingredients and preparation methods. Request that the bartender use clean equipment.
With Milk Alternatives: Ensure that any plant-based milk used in your drink is certified gluten-free, especially oat milk, which is frequently cross-contaminated during processing.

Comparison Table: Common Beverages and Their Celiac Status


Beverage	Celiac Status	Notes
Water	Safe	Always naturally gluten-free and hydrating.
Pure Juices	Safe	Must be 100% pure; check for added flavorings.
Major Brand Sodas	Safe	Most in North America are fine, but check labels for unusual ingredients or for products manufactured outside of the region.
Traditional Beer/Ale	Avoid	Contains barley malt and is unsafe for celiacs.
Certified Gluten-Free Beer	Safe	Specifically labeled and made from safe grains like sorghum or rice.
Pure Wine	Safe	Grapes-based, but be cautious with flavored versions or old fortified wines.
Distilled Spirits (Pure)	Safe	Gluten proteins are removed during distillation.
Distilled Spirits (Flavored)	Conditional	Flavorings added after distillation may contain hidden gluten.
Pure Hard Cider	Safe	Made from apples, but flavored versions may have gluten additives.
Gluten-Removed Beer	Avoid	Not safe for celiacs; potential for immune reaction.
Certified GF Oat Milk	Safe	Must be certified to ensure no cross-contamination.

Expanding Your Gluten-Free Drink Horizon

Managing celiac disease doesn't mean your drink choices have to be boring. Beyond the basics, there are many other delightful and safe options to explore.

Kombucha: This fermented tea can be a great option, but ensure you select brands that are certified gluten-free, as some may use grain-based ingredients or be susceptible to cross-contamination.
Non-Dairy Milk Substitutes: In addition to certified oat milk, alternatives like almond, soy, rice, and coconut milk are typically safe choices, but always check the label for potential additives.
Protein Shakes: Many brands now offer certified gluten-free protein powders and ready-to-drink shakes, catering to fitness enthusiasts with celiac disease. Look for certifications to guarantee safety.

Conclusion: Informed Choices for Safe Sips

Living with celiac disease requires diligence in all dietary aspects, and beverages are no exception. By understanding which drinks are naturally gluten-free, recognizing the risks associated with certain production methods (especially regarding alcohol), and being vigilant about cross-contamination, you can navigate your choices safely. Armed with this knowledge, you can enjoy a wide variety of refreshing beverages without compromising your health. Always prioritize certified products when in doubt, especially for processed drinks or items consumed at bars and restaurants. For more information and resources on celiac-safe products, visit the Celiac Disease Foundation at https://celiac.org/.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, pure distilled liquors like vodka, gin, rum, and tequila are safe. The distillation process effectively removes gluten proteins. However, some extremely sensitive individuals might prefer liquors made from non-grain sources like potato or agave.

No, if you have celiac disease, you should avoid 'gluten-removed' beers. While they are processed to reduce gluten, they can still contain fragments that may cause an immune reaction. Stick to beers explicitly labeled 'gluten-free'.

Most wine is naturally gluten-free, as it's made from grapes. However, be cautious with certain flavored wines, wine coolers, or fortified wines that might contain additives. Pure, standard wine is a safe bet.

Oat milk can be a risk due to potential cross-contamination with gluten-containing grains during processing. Always choose oat milk that is specifically certified gluten-free. Alternatives like almond, soy, or rice milk are typically safer.

To avoid cross-contamination, order beverages that come in sealed bottles, such as a bottle of wine or hard cider. If ordering a cocktail, inform the bartender of your allergy and ask for clean equipment to be used.

In North America, most major sodas are considered gluten-free. However, it's always best to check the label for any unusual flavorings or additives, and to be aware that formulations can differ internationally.

Look for a gluten-free certification mark from a trusted organization. For alcoholic beverages, if it is a liqueur or flavored spirit, contact the manufacturer to confirm its gluten-free status.