Nutrition Diet: What Common Drinks Have Gluten?

October 30, 2025 •

5 min read

According to the Cleveland Clinic, research suggests about 6% of the U.S. population is gluten intolerant, a condition different from celiac disease. While many people focus on solid foods, it's crucial to understand what common drinks have gluten to fully adhere to a gluten-free diet and avoid unwanted symptoms.

Quick Summary

This article explores various beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, identifying which ones typically contain gluten. It outlines common gluten sources like traditional beers and malt beverages, while clarifying why many distilled spirits and wines are safe, with important considerations for additives and cross-contamination.

Key Points

Traditional Beer and Malt Beverages: Conventional beer, ale, stout, and malt beverages are brewed with gluten-containing grains like barley and wheat and must be avoided.
Distilled Spirits are Generally Safe: The distillation process removes gluten from liquors like vodka, gin, whiskey, and rum, even when made from gluten grains.
Beware of Flavored Drinks and Mixers: The primary risk with spirits comes from gluten-containing flavorings or additives introduced after distillation. Cocktails using unverified mixers should be treated with caution.
Wine and Hard Cider are Naturally Gluten-Free: Most wine (from grapes) and hard cider (from fruit) are safe for a gluten-free diet, but look for certified products to be completely certain.
Read Labels and Ask Questions: Since alcohol labeling can be less regulated for gluten content than food, always read labels carefully for additives or allergens, especially in less common or flavored products.
Most Sodas and Juices are Safe: Major soft drinks and 100% pure fruit juices are naturally gluten-free. Check labels for any added malt flavorings or thickeners.

Understanding Gluten in Beverages

Gluten is a protein naturally found in grains such as wheat, barley, and rye. It acts as a binder, giving products like bread a chewy, elastic quality. For individuals with celiac disease, a gluten allergy, or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, consuming gluten can lead to a range of symptoms, from digestive issues to fatigue and skin rashes. While many are aware of gluten in bread and pasta, its presence in beverages can be easily overlooked. The manufacturing process for drinks can introduce or remove gluten, making it a complex area to navigate for those on a strict gluten-free diet. Understanding these processes is key to making informed and safe choices.

Gluten-Containing Alcoholic Drinks

For most people avoiding gluten, the primary concern in the beverage aisle is beer. Traditional beer, ale, stout, and lager are brewed using barley and sometimes wheat, which contain gluten. The gluten content can vary significantly by type; for example, wheat beers typically have a much higher gluten content than lagers. The brewing process does not remove the gluten, making these drinks unsafe for individuals with sensitivities or celiac disease. Some beverages are specifically labeled as 'malt beverages' or contain 'malt flavoring,' derived from barley, and are also off-limits. This includes many wine coolers and flavored hard lemonades. It is crucial to read the labels carefully, especially since ingredient labeling for alcohol can be less stringent than for other food products.

Specialty and 'Gluten-Removed' Beers

With the rise in demand for gluten-free options, brewers have developed alternatives. There are two main types: naturally gluten-free beers and gluten-removed beers. Naturally gluten-free beers are brewed using alternative grains like sorghum, millet, rice, or buckwheat from the start. These products can be certified as truly gluten-free and are safe for those with celiac disease. Gluten-removed beers, on the other hand, are brewed with traditional gluten-containing grains but use an enzyme to break down the gluten protein. While the final product often tests below the legal threshold of 20 parts per million (ppm), it may still contain trace amounts that can trigger a reaction in highly sensitive individuals. For this reason, many celiac organizations recommend caution with gluten-removed products.

Naturally Gluten-Free Alcoholic Drinks

When it comes to beverages, distilled spirits are a safe bet. The distillation process, which involves boiling and condensing the fermented liquid, effectively removes the gluten protein. This is true even for spirits made from gluten-containing grains like wheat or barley. Therefore, pure, unflavored liquors such as vodka, gin, whiskey, rum, and bourbon are considered safe for a gluten-free diet.

Wine and Hard Cider: Both wine (made from grapes) and hard cider (made from fruit, typically apples) are naturally gluten-free. While some wine producers historically used wheat paste to seal barrels, modern practices and testing show no detectable gluten, making this a rare concern. However, some specialty or dessert wines with added flavorings could potentially introduce gluten. As with any product, it's wise to check with the manufacturer if there are concerns.
Pure Distilled Spirits: Pure vodka, whiskey, gin, rum, and tequila, regardless of the base ingredient, are gluten-free post-distillation. The key is to avoid any flavored varieties that have been modified after the distillation process, as these can contain gluten additives.

The Risks of Additives and Cross-Contamination

While many individual beverages are gluten-free, the risk often arises with mixed drinks, cocktails, and other modified beverages. Flavored drinks, liqueurs, and mixers can contain gluten from various sources, such as caramel coloring, flavorings, or thickeners. For instance, certain cream liqueurs or mixed cocktails could contain gluten components.

Furthermore, cross-contamination is a significant risk, especially in social settings like bars or restaurants. Bar staff might use the same tools or garnishes for both gluten-free and gluten-containing drinks. The simplest way to mitigate this risk is to stick to simple, pure drinks or certified gluten-free options that can be verified with the manufacturer. You can find a comprehensive guide on eating out safely on a gluten-free diet on the Celiac Disease Foundation's website, which also covers beverage safety.

Are Non-Alcoholic Drinks Gluten-Free?

The good news for those with gluten restrictions is that most non-alcoholic drinks are naturally gluten-free. This includes:

Sodas and Soft Drinks: Major brands like Coca-Cola and Pepsi are generally gluten-free, made from water, sweeteners, and flavorings. Some caramel colorings, a rare source of gluten historically, are now almost universally safe, but checking with the manufacturer can ease any lingering concerns.
Juices: Pure fruit and vegetable juices are naturally gluten-free. Any risks would come from added ingredients like thickeners or flavorings, making it important to read the label.
Coffee and Tea: Unflavored coffee and tea are naturally gluten-free. The risk would only arise from added ingredients, flavorings, or cross-contamination from powdered milk or other mix-ins.
Sports Drinks: Most major brands of sports drinks are also gluten-free.

Comparison of Common Drinks and Their Gluten Status


Drink Category	Gluten Status	Potential Risks & Notes
Beer (Traditional)	Contains Gluten	Brewed with barley, wheat, or rye; inherently unsafe.
Beer (Gluten-Free)	Gluten-Free	Brewed with alternative, non-gluten grains like sorghum or rice.
Beer (Gluten-Removed)	Caution (Low-Gluten)	Starts with gluten grains but uses an enzyme to reduce gluten below 20 ppm; may still affect highly sensitive individuals.
Malt Beverages	Contains Gluten	Made with barley malt; unsafe.
Distilled Spirits (Pure)	Gluten-Free	Distillation removes gluten, even from grain-based sources.
Distilled Spirits (Flavored)	Caution	Flavors or other additives introduced after distillation may contain gluten.
Wine	Gluten-Free	Made from grapes; typically safe. Check with manufacturer regarding any fining agents used.
Hard Cider (Pure)	Gluten-Free	Made from fermented fruit juice; generally safe. Flavored versions might contain gluten.
Sodas/Soft Drinks	Gluten-Free	Most are naturally gluten-free, including major brands.
Juices (Pure)	Gluten-Free	100% fruit or vegetable juices are naturally gluten-free.
Mixed Cocktails	Caution	The safety depends entirely on the ingredients used; can easily contain gluten from mixers.

Conclusion

Understanding what common drinks have gluten is a critical part of maintaining a gluten-free diet. The most significant sources of gluten in beverages are traditional beers and malt-based products. Fortunately, many alcoholic and non-alcoholic options are naturally gluten-free. Distilled spirits, pure wines, ciders, sodas, and juices are typically safe choices, provided they are unflavored and do not contain hidden additives. The main challenges lie in cross-contamination and the use of gluten-containing ingredients in complex, mixed drinks. For individuals with high sensitivity or celiac disease, reading labels, asking questions, and choosing certified gluten-free products are the most effective strategies for staying safe and healthy. Being vigilant about all food and drink sources of gluten is the most effective path to managing symptoms and promoting overall well-being.

Visit the Celiac Disease Foundation for more resources on gluten-free living

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, traditional beers brewed from barley, wheat, or rye contain gluten and should be avoided by individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

Most distilled spirits, including pure vodka, whiskey, and gin, are gluten-free due to the distillation process removing gluten. However, flavored varieties or mixers added after distillation could contain gluten, so it is important to check.

Yes, most wine is gluten-free as it's made from grapes. While rare, some wines may use fining agents that could introduce trace amounts of gluten, so highly sensitive individuals should choose certified gluten-free wines.

Most sodas and 100% pure fruit juices are naturally gluten-free. The main concern is with products containing added ingredients like malt flavoring or thickeners, so checking the label is always recommended.

Gluten-free beer is brewed entirely from gluten-free ingredients like sorghum or rice. Gluten-removed beer starts with gluten-containing grains but uses an enzyme to break down the gluten. While gluten-removed beers often test below the legal gluten-free threshold (less than 20ppm), they may still cause a reaction in very sensitive individuals.

Communicate clearly with the staff about your dietary needs. Avoid tap beer and ask if mixed drinks or cocktails are prepared with any gluten-containing mixers or additives. Be cautious of shared equipment or garnishes, like lemons sliced on a cutting board used for bread.

Yes, any beverage containing barley malt or malt flavoring, such as many wine coolers and hard lemonades, should be considered as containing gluten and is not suitable for a gluten-free diet.