What Can't Vegetarians Drink? The Hidden Animal Ingredients in Beverages

October 21, 2025 •

4 min read

A 2023 survey found that approximately 6% of Americans identify as vegetarian, and many are surprised to learn that certain beverages contain animal-derived ingredients. This guide explores what can't vegetarians drink due to obscure additives and processing methods.

Quick Summary

This article details beverages that are surprisingly not vegetarian, including specific wines, beers, sodas, and juices that use animal-derived fining agents, colors, or thickeners. It provides actionable advice for identifying and avoiding these hidden ingredients.

Key Points

Fining Agents in Alcohol: Many wines, beers, and ciders use animal-derived products like isinglass (fish bladder), gelatin (animal bones), or casein (milk protein) for clarification, making them non-vegetarian.
Hidden Ingredients in Soft Drinks: Certain juices and sodas can contain gelatin for stabilization or cochineal (carminic acid, E120) for red coloring, which comes from crushed insects.
Dairy in Liqueurs and Cocktails: While obvious in drinks like Baileys, milk and cream can also be found in less-expected cocktails or liqueurs, as can egg whites used for froth.
Worcestershire Sauce: A key ingredient in Bloody Marys, traditional Worcestershire sauce contains anchovies, making it non-vegetarian unless a specific vegan version is used.
Omega-3 Fortification: Some heart-healthy juices are fortified with Omega-3 fatty acids derived from fish oil, a non-vegetarian ingredient.
Ethical Vegan Concerns: Some beverages, especially those with refined cane sugar, may use processing aids like bone char, a charcoal from animal bones, which may concern strict ethical vegetarians or vegans.

Unexpectedly Non-Vegetarian Drinks

While most people know to avoid milkshakes and certain cocktails containing dairy, many drinks contain animal-derived products that are far less obvious. These additives are often used for clarification, coloring, or as stabilizers, and they might not be listed on the final product label. Educating yourself on these less-common ingredients is key to maintaining a vegetarian diet.

Alcoholic Beverages: The Clarification Problem

One of the most surprising areas for hidden animal products is alcohol production. Many beers, wines, and ciders are clarified using substances known as 'fining agents' to remove cloudiness and sediment. These agents can be animal-derived, even if no trace remains in the final drink.

Isinglass: This substance is a type of gelatin derived from the swim bladders of fish and is traditionally used to clarify beers and wines.
Gelatin: Sourced from boiled animal skin, bones, and connective tissues, gelatin is also used to fine some wines and ciders.
Casein: This milk protein can be used in wine production to remove phenolic compounds.
Albumin: Derived from egg whites, albumin is another fining agent used in some wines.

Soft Drinks and Juices: Hidden Colors and Thickeners

It's not just alcoholic beverages that pose a problem. Several common non-alcoholic drinks also contain animal products, often as coloring or stabilizing agents.

Cochineal (Carmine): A vibrant red food coloring, E120, is derived from crushed cochineal insects. This dye is found in some red-hued juices and drinks.
Gelatin: Beyond alcohol, gelatin can be used as a stabilizer in some fruit juices and sodas. Some orange-colored drinks, for example, may contain it.
Omega-3 Fortified Drinks: Some juices, marketed as heart-healthy, are fortified with Omega-3 fatty acids often sourced from fish oil, making them unsuitable for vegetarians.

A Comparison of Common Beverages

To help navigate the grocery store, here is a table comparing beverage types and the potential non-vegetarian ingredients to watch for.


Beverage Type	Potential Non-Vegetarian Ingredients	How to Avoid	Status for Vegetarians	Status for Vegans (for comparison)
Wine	Isinglass (fish), gelatin (animal bone), egg whites (albumin), casein (milk)	Check with manufacturer, use apps like Barnivore, look for vegan labeling.	Often not vegetarian due to fining agents.	Same as vegetarians due to fining agents.
Beer (Ale)	Isinglass (fish), gelatin (animal bone)	Choose lagers, German beers (Reinheitsgebot), or use Barnivore. Cask ales are most likely to use isinglass.	Often not vegetarian.	Same as vegetarians.
Hard Liquor	Flavored varieties may contain dairy or honey. Some mezcals contain larvae.	Most unflavored spirits are safe. Check labels for added ingredients like cream or honey.	Mostly vegetarian if unflavored.	Some flavored versions and mezcal are not.
Cream Liqueurs	Dairy (casein, lactose)	Opt for dairy-free alternatives made with almond or coconut milk.	Not vegetarian.	Not vegan.
Red Soda/Juice	Cochineal (carmine) from insects.	Look for drinks with natural or synthetic alternatives. Cochineal is often listed as E120.	Not vegetarian.	Not vegan.
Omega-3 Juice	Fish oil, fish gelatin.	Read ingredient labels carefully. Choose standard juices.	Not vegetarian.	Not vegan.
Cocktails	Egg whites, Worcestershire sauce (anchovies), milk/cream, honey.	Specify vegan ingredients or ask if alternatives are used (e.g., aquafaba for egg whites).	Often not vegetarian, depending on ingredients.	Often not vegan, depending on ingredients.

Decoding Labels and Identifying Ingredients

Since manufacturers are not always required to list fining agents or processing aids on beverage labels, it can be challenging to determine if a drink is vegetarian. However, careful label reading and using online resources can help.

Bone Char Processed Sugar: Some refined cane sugars are whitened using bone char from animal bones, making them unsuitable for some vegetarians and vegans. While rare in drinks, it's a concern for ethical vegans. Look for organic or beet sugar options to avoid this.
Glycerin/Glycerol: Used as a stabilizer or sweetener, this can be sourced from either animal fats or plants. If the label doesn't specify, it's best to contact the manufacturer.
Whey: A common milk derivative, whey can appear in some protein drinks or smoothies.
Lactose: Another dairy ingredient, lactose is sometimes added to beers for a creamy flavor.

Conclusion

Navigating the world of beverages as a vegetarian requires more than simply avoiding milk-based drinks. The use of fining agents like isinglass and gelatin in alcohol, along with hidden colorings and stabilizers in soft drinks, presents a complex challenge. By researching brands with third-party verification, using online databases like Barnivore, and carefully scrutinizing ingredient labels for potential animal-derived components, vegetarians can ensure their drinks align with their dietary and ethical choices. This diligence helps prevent the unwitting consumption of animal products, allowing for a truly vegetarian lifestyle. For more information on vegan-friendly beverages, consider consulting the Gentle World website for a guide on avoiding animal byproducts in drinks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Some beer is not vegetarian because brewers use fining agents derived from animals to clarify the liquid. Common examples include isinglass from fish swim bladders and gelatin from animal bones.

To find vegetarian-friendly wine, look for bottles specifically labeled 'vegan' or 'unfined.' Many wineries now state their clarification process. You can also use online resources like Barnivore.com to check specific brands.

Yes, you should check for potential hidden animal ingredients in some juices. Look for Omega-3 fortified juices (may contain fish oil) and check the labels of red-colored juices for cochineal (carmine) or gelatin.

Most plain, distilled spirits like gin, vodka, and whiskey are vegetarian. However, flavored liqueurs, cream-based products, or those with added honey are not. Some traditional mezcals also contain a worm (larvae).

Cochineal, also known as carmine or E120, is a red dye made from the crushed bodies of cochineal insects. Vegetarians, who abstain from consuming animals or insects, avoid drinks that use this coloring.

No, not all cocktails are vegetarian. Some may contain non-vegetarian ingredients like dairy (e.g., White Russian), egg whites (e.g., Whiskey Sour), or Worcestershire sauce (e.g., Bloody Mary).

The best way to be sure your drinks are vegetarian is to look for explicit 'vegan' or 'vegetarian' labeling from the manufacturer, use online databases like Barnivore for alcohol, and read all ingredient lists carefully, especially for fortified or colored beverages.