What Do Vegans Not Drink? A Comprehensive Guide to Navigating Beverages

November 1, 2025 •

4 min read

Over 600,000 people in the UK follow a vegan diet, and while most non-vegans correctly assume dairy milk is off the table, the list of what vegans do not drink extends to many unexpected beverages. Animal products can be found hiding in fruit juices, alcohol, and fortified drinks, making it necessary to read labels carefully.

Quick Summary

Vegans avoid drinks containing animal-derived ingredients such as milk, honey, and cochineal dye. This includes many wines, beers, and some juices that use clarifying agents like isinglass or gelatin. Fortified drinks may also contain non-vegan vitamin D3.

Key Points

Dairy Products: Vegans do not drink milk from any animal or beverages containing milk, cream, or milk derivatives like casein.
Honey: Any drink sweetened with honey is not vegan, as honey is produced by bees and is considered an animal product.
Alcoholic Drinks: Many wines and beers are not vegan due to the use of animal-based fining agents such as isinglass (fish bladders), gelatin, and egg whites during clarification.
Fortified Juices: Some juices are fortified with nutrients like Vitamin D3, which is often sourced from lanolin (sheep's wool), or Omega-3, which can come from fish oil.
Colored Beverages: Certain red or pink-colored drinks contain carmine (E120), a dye made from crushed cochineal insects.
Refined Sugars: Some vegans avoid drinks made with white cane sugar that has been filtered using bone char during its refining process.
Informed Choices: Due to hidden ingredients, vegans must read labels, check for certifications, or consult dedicated online resources to ensure their drinks are cruelty-free.

The Obvious: Dairy Milk and Cream-Based Drinks

For most people, the most apparent beverages that vegans do not drink are those containing dairy products. This includes not just milk from cows, but also from other mammals like goats or sheep. The reasons are rooted in ethical concerns over the dairy industry, which involves the artificial insemination of cows and the separation of calves from their mothers.

Consequently, any drink with dairy milk, cream, or milk-based ingredients is off-limits. This includes classic milkshakes, certain hot chocolates made with milk, and cream liqueurs like traditional Irish Cream. Luckily, the market is now flooded with high-quality, delicious vegan alternatives made from soy, almond, oat, and coconut, making it easy to enjoy a creamy beverage without animal products.

The Unexpected: Hidden Animal Products in Everyday Drinks

Many beverages that appear to be plant-based actually contain animal-derived ingredients used during their processing or as additives. These are often not explicitly labeled, requiring more diligent research from consumers.

Non-Vegan Fining and Clarifying Agents

One of the most common reasons why alcoholic beverages and even some fruit juices are not vegan is due to the use of fining or clarifying agents. These substances are added to liquids to remove haze-causing particles like proteins, yeast, and tannins, resulting in a clear, bright liquid. Traditional fining agents that vegans avoid include:

Isinglass: A gelatin-like substance extracted from the dried swim bladders of fish.
Gelatin: Derived from animal hides and bones.
Casein: A protein derived from milk.
Albumin: Egg whites.

For juices, gelatin can also be used to clarify the product. Many companies now use vegan-friendly alternatives like bentonite clay, activated charcoal, or vegetable plaques, but unless a product is labeled 'unfined' or certified vegan, it's safer to check. Websites like Barnivore maintain extensive lists of vegan-friendly alcoholic drinks.

Cochineal (Carmine) Dye

Some red or pink-colored drinks and juices use cochineal, also known as carmine or E120, as a red food coloring. This dye is made from the crushed shells of female cochineal insects. It is important to check the ingredients list for terms like carmine, cochineal, or the number E120.

Hidden Vitamin D3

Many fruit juices and fortified drinks add vitamins to their products. Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is often derived from lanolin, a wax secreted from sheep's wool. Unless explicitly stated as vegan, fortified drinks containing vitamin D3 are likely non-vegan. Plant-based sources of vitamin D3 derived from lichen do exist, so always look for a vegan certification.

Bone Char in Refined Sugar

Some sugar, particularly refined white cane sugar, is processed using bone char, which is charred animal bones. While the bone char does not end up in the final product, some vegans choose to avoid products that use this process. This can affect some sodas and sweetened drinks. Vegan-friendly alternatives include beet sugar and organic cane sugar, which do not use bone char.

Comparison of Common Non-Vegan Drinks and Their Vegan Alternatives


Non-Vegan Drink Type	Hidden Animal Ingredient	Vegan Alternative	Notes for Vegans
Dairy Milk	Casein, Whey	Oat milk, Almond milk, Soy milk	Widely available in supermarkets; check for fortifications.
Wine	Isinglass, Gelatin, Egg whites	Unfined/unfiltered wine, Wine made with bentonite clay	Check for vegan certification or use resources like Barnivore.
Beer (some)	Isinglass, Gelatin	Many craft beers, most German beers (Reinheitsgebot)	Check online databases for brand-specific info.
Fruit Juices (some)	Gelatin, Fish oil (Omega-3), Lanolin (Vitamin D3)	Unclarified juices, juices with vegan certification	Read labels carefully, especially for fortified varieties.
Red Sodas (some)	Cochineal (Carmine, E120)	Naturally-colored sodas, brands certified vegan	Look for 'carmine' or E120 on ingredient lists.

Making Conscious Choices

Navigating the world of beverages as a vegan requires more than just avoiding the obvious. From milkshakes and honey-sweetened teas to the hidden animal byproducts in alcoholic drinks and juices, awareness is key. Fortunately, the rise in demand for transparent and ethical products means that more brands are offering clearly labeled vegan options, making it easier than ever to find cruelty-free drinks. By checking for certifications, using dedicated online resources, and reading ingredient lists carefully, you can be sure your refreshment aligns with your vegan values.

Conclusion

When asking 'what do vegans not drink?', the answer goes far beyond the simple exclusion of milk. It encompasses a careful examination of production processes and hidden additives in many common beverages. By understanding the role of fining agents in alcohol, carmine in juices, and lanolin-sourced vitamin D3 in fortified drinks, vegans can make informed choices that align with their ethical stance. The increasing availability of clearly labeled vegan alternatives is a testament to a growing market and makes it simpler to find delicious, cruelty-free drinks for any occasion. By remaining vigilant, a satisfying and compassionate drinking experience is always within reach. For more information, check out vegan drink guides [https://www.vegansociety.com/lifestyle/food-and-drink].

Frequently Asked Questions

Most sodas are vegan, but some red-colored varieties use cochineal (carmine/E120) dye from insects. Additionally, some brands of soda may use sugar refined with bone char, which some vegans avoid.

Not always. While pure orange juice is vegan, some fortified versions contain non-vegan Vitamin D3 (from lanolin) or Omega-3 (from fish oil). Some juices are also clarified with gelatin.

Some wines are not vegan because animal-based fining agents like isinglass, gelatin, egg whites, or casein are used to clarify the liquid. Vegans can choose unfined wines or check databases like Barnivore for vegan-friendly options.

Vegans do not drink milk because it is an animal product obtained through a process that involves animal exploitation and separation of calves from their mothers. This is against the core ethical principles of veganism.

No. Many beers are clarified using animal products like isinglass or gelatin. However, many vegan-friendly fining alternatives exist, and most German beers are vegan due to purity laws. Check a brand's vegan status online.

Not all. While some refined cane sugar is processed with bone char, many alternatives like beet sugar and organic cane sugar are vegan. Many vegans will consume products with non-certified sugar if it is not explicitly labeled non-vegan.

Cloudy, or unfiltered, juices are often more reliably vegan because they skip the clarification process that might use animal-based fining agents. However, checking the ingredients for any additives is still the safest approach.

Yes, but they must use plant-based protein powders (e.g., soy, pea, hemp) and mix them with a vegan milk alternative. Traditional protein powders often contain whey or casein, which are milk derivatives.