What Drinks Are Made of Wheat?: Exploring a World of Wheat-Based Beverages

October 30, 2025 •

5 min read

While most people associate wheat with bread and pasta, a comprehensive review published in late 2023 highlighted the growing recognition of functional wheat-based beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. But what drinks are made of wheat? From ancient fermented drinks to modern health-focused elixirs, this versatile grain is the foundation for a surprising variety of flavorful and nutrient-rich liquids.

Quick Summary

A wide variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are made from wheat, including craft beers, whiskeys, fermented probiotic tonics like kvass and boza, and potent health elixirs such as wheatgrass juice. Processing methods like germination and fermentation unlock different nutritional profiles and flavor characteristics.

Key Points

Alcoholic Diversity: Wheat is a base ingredient in various alcoholic drinks, including wheat beers, some vodkas, gins, and whiskeys, each with a unique flavor profile.
Ancient Probiotic Tonics: Many traditional fermented beverages, such as kvass (made from bread), boza (cereal flour), and borș (wheat bran), use wheat and are known for their gut-health benefits.
Potent Health Shots: Wheatgrass juice, derived from the young shoots of the wheat plant, is a concentrated source of vitamins, minerals, and chlorophyll, often considered a powerful health tonic.
Sprouted and Whole Grain Nutrition: Fermented sprouted wheat in drinks like rejuvelac and whole wheat germ in smoothies provide enhanced antioxidant levels, dietary fiber, and protein.
Gluten-Free Wheat Option: Despite being derived from the wheat plant, wheatgrass juice is naturally gluten-free because it is harvested before the gluten protein develops in the grain.
Customizable Homemade Drinks: Many wheat-based drinks can be easily prepared at home, allowing for customization of sweetness, consistency, and added ingredients.

The Surprising Versatility of Wheat in Beverages

Wheat, a staple in the global diet, is far more than just a source of flour for baked goods. Its various forms—from the sprouted grain to its bran and flour—are used to create an extensive range of beverages, each with a unique history and nutritional profile. These drinks span from well-known alcoholic staples to ancient fermented tonics and modern health-food trends, showcasing wheat's incredible adaptability. Many of these options provide valuable nutrients, from dietary fiber and antioxidants in wheat bran to concentrated vitamins and minerals in wheatgrass juice. The rise of functional beverages has placed a new spotlight on these wholesome wheat-based options.

Alcoholic Favorites Featuring Wheat

Beyond its reputation for making bread, wheat is a key ingredient in many popular alcoholic beverages. It contributes distinct flavor profiles and textures that are prized by brewers and distillers alike.

Wheat Beer (Weissbier/Witbier): A significant portion of malted or unmalted wheat is used in German Weissbier and Belgian Witbier. This creates a signature creamy, smooth mouthfeel and a hazy appearance. German wheat beers are known for their fruity, clove-like flavors from the yeast, while Belgian witbiers are spiced with coriander and orange peel.
Vodka: While often associated with potatoes, many modern vodkas, particularly those with a clean, crisp flavor, are distilled from a fermented mash of wheat or other grains.
Whiskey: American wheat whiskey uses wheat as a primary fermentable grain, giving it a soft, sweet flavor profile. In other whiskey styles, wheat may be blended with barley or corn to add complexity.
Gin: Some distillers use wheat or barley as the base spirit, which is then re-distilled with juniper berries and other botanicals to create gin.

Ancient and Fermented Wheat Drinks

Across the globe, various traditional fermented drinks use wheat, leveraging the grain's starches and probiotics for unique flavor and health benefits.

Kvass: A traditional Eastern European beverage, kvass is a slightly effervescent drink typically made from fermented rye bread, but wheat bread can also be used. It is prized for its low alcohol content and probiotic benefits, offering a slightly sour and earthy taste.
Boza (Bousa): Popular in the Middle East and parts of Eastern Europe, this thick, fermented beverage can be made from a variety of grains, including wheat. The fermentation process, which relies on a mix of lactic acid bacteria and yeast, gives it a characteristic tart flavor.
Borș: A Romanian drink, borș is made by fermenting wheat bran and cornmeal. It is often used as a tart, flavorful base for traditional soups but is also enjoyed plain as a probiotic beverage.
Rejuvelac: Invented by Ann Wigmore in the 1960s, rejuvelac is a probiotic tonic made from fermenting sprouted grains, often including wheat. It is valued for its raw, enzymatic properties.

Nutritious Non-Alcoholic Options

For those seeking non-alcoholic options, wheat provides a foundation for several nutritious drinks, from simple teas to hearty smoothies.

Wheatgrass Juice: Extracted from the mature shoots of the wheat plant, wheatgrass juice is a potent, nutrient-dense health shot. It is packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and chlorophyll, and despite coming from the wheat plant, it is naturally gluten-free because it is harvested before the grain and gluten develop.
Wheat Germ Smoothies: Wheat germ, the most nutrient-dense part of the wheat kernel, can be added to smoothies to boost protein, fiber, and vitamin content. It adds a nutty flavor and wholesome thickness.
Sunsik: This Korean ready-to-drink beverage is often made from a powder blend of various grains, nuts, and vegetables, with wheat being a common ingredient. Fermented versions of sunsik have been shown to have enhanced nutritional properties.
Aatta Ka Doodh (Wheat Flour Drink): In some parts of South Asia, a warm, comforting drink is made from roasting whole wheat flour (aatta) in ghee and simmering it with milk and sugar. It is often consumed for its nourishing properties.

Wheat Beverages: A Comparison

To understand the differences among these diverse drinks, the table below compares several key characteristics.


Beverage	Type	Key Wheat Ingredient	Alcoholic Content	Key Characteristics
Weissbier	Alcoholic (Ale)	Malted wheat	Moderate (~5%)	Hazy, fruity, and creamy, with clove-like notes.
Kvass	Fermented, low-alcoholic	Wheat or rye bread	Very Low (0.5-1.5%)	Effervescent, earthy, and sour; probiotic-rich.
Wheatgrass Juice	Health Tonic	Mature wheat sprouts	Non-alcoholic	Concentrated, potent health shot; rich in chlorophyll and antioxidants.
Boza	Fermented, low-alcoholic	Wheat flour/semolina	Very Low (can be slightly higher than kvass)	Thick, sweet-tart, and rich in probiotics.
Wheat Whiskey	Distilled Spirit	Fermented wheat mash	High (~40%+)	Smooth and sweet, with a distinct flavor profile.
Rejuvelac	Fermented Tonic	Sprouted wheat grains	Non-alcoholic	Raw, probiotic tonic with a tangy flavor.

Health Benefits of Consuming Wheat-Based Beverages

Many wheat-based drinks, particularly fermented and sprouted varieties, offer significant health benefits derived from their unique preparation methods and nutrient composition. Fermentation can reduce anti-nutritional compounds and increase the bioavailability of minerals.

Improved Gut Health: Fermented wheat beverages like boza, borș, and kvass are rich in probiotics, which support a healthy gut microbiome and aid digestion.
High Antioxidant Content: Sprouted and roasted wheat, as used in wheat tea or rejuvelac, contain higher levels of antioxidants like ferulic acid and flavonoids, which combat oxidative stress.
Detoxification: The high chlorophyll content of wheatgrass juice has been linked to detoxification and immune system support.
Nutrient-Dense: Whole wheat derivatives like bran and germ provide fiber, vitamins, and minerals that can be easily incorporated into drinks like smoothies, boosting their nutritional value.
Energy Boost: The carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, and minerals found in wheatgrass and other wheat-based drinks can provide a clean and natural energy boost.

Conclusion: The Diverse World of Wheat Drinks

The question of what drinks are made of wheat reveals a fascinating and diverse landscape of beverages, from globally celebrated alcoholic staples to traditional fermented tonics and modern health-food phenomena. Whether enjoyed for their complex flavors, probiotic properties, or concentrated nutrients, these drinks demonstrate wheat's remarkable versatility and enduring role in human diet and culture. As the market for functional beverages continues to grow, consumers can look forward to even more innovative ways to enjoy the benefits of this ancient grain.

For more information on the functional properties of these beverages, consider consulting specialized food science journals such as those reviewed by institutions like the National Institutes of Health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, wheatgrass juice is generally considered gluten-free. It is made from the shoots of the wheat plant before the grain and the associated gluten protein develop. However, it is important to check for certified gluten-free products to avoid any potential contamination during processing.

Kvass is a fermented, slightly alcoholic beverage originating from Eastern Europe, traditionally made from rye or wheat bread. Stale bread is soaked in hot water, sometimes with sugar or fruit, and then fermented with yeast or a sourdough starter to produce a tangy, effervescent drink rich in probiotics.

For spirits like whiskey, wheat is used as a fermentable grain in the mash, either alone (as in wheat whiskey) or in combination with other grains like barley, corn, or rye. The fermented mixture is then distilled to create the spirit.

Fermented wheat drinks like boza offer a range of health benefits, primarily due to their probiotic content, which supports gut health. They can also contain antioxidants and increased bioavailability of nutrients due to the fermentation process.

Yes, wheat beers differ significantly from regular beers, which primarily use barley. Wheat beers use a large proportion of malted or unmalted wheat, resulting in a distinctly smooth, creamy texture and often a hazy appearance. They also have a unique flavor profile, often with fruity or spicy notes.

Popular non-alcoholic wheat drinks include wheatgrass juice, smoothies enriched with wheat germ or puffed wheat, fermented tonics like rejuvelac and kvass (which is very low-alcohol), and traditional cooked flour-and-milk concoctions like Aatta Ka Doodh.

Yes, many wheat-based beverages are simple to make at home. Recipes for kvass and traditional cooked wheat drinks are straightforward, and wheatgrass can be grown and juiced at home. This allows for fresh, customizable, and cost-effective homemade options.