Whether you follow a gluten-free diet for medical reasons or by personal choice, it’s helpful to know which spirits you can enjoy freely. When it comes to clear liquor like vodka, the answers aren’t always straightforward. Many vodka brands derive from gluten-containing grains like wheat or rye, while others use potatoes, grapes, or sugar cane. With so many options on the market, you may find yourself wondering: what vodkas are gluten free?
What Does Gluten Free Mean?
Before diving into specific brands, let’s clarify what exactly “gluten free” means on a vodka bottle. Unfortunately, terms like gluten free, low gluten, or reduced gluten vodka can be misleading. While the labels sound healthy for anyone avoiding gluten, they don’t guarantee safety for those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
Here’s the reason why:
vodka made from glutenous grains still contains traces of gluten protein after distillation. The distressing compounds remain present unless an additional filtration process removes them. Legally in the United States, brands can print “gluten free” on vodka made with wheat or rye if gluten content tests below 20 parts per million. However, studies show levels below 10 ppm can still cause issues for those sensitive.
So in actuality, only vodka made from non-glutenous materials like potatoes, corn, grapes, or sugar cane qualify as truly gluten-free. For individuals managing chronic conditions related to gluten, these are the only safe bets. Anyone else can normally tolerate vodkas labeled gluten free, but they may wish to moderate intake.
Popular Brands Verified Gluten Free
Luckily, all vodka doesn’t contain gluten traces, and there are many high-quality brands that fit gluten free diets. Here’s a breakdown of some top shelf favorites:
Tito’s:
Made from yellow corn and double distilled, this Austin-based vodka promises less than 5 ppm gluten. Tests confirm Tito’s as gluten free and safe for those with celiac disease. The brand also offers unflavored vodka, making simple gluten-free cocktails a breeze.
Ketel One:
Distilled from European wheat, Ketel One gets put through an extra filtration process to remove gluten peptides. The brand states most bottles test around 2-3 ppm, but all rank below the 20 ppm cutoff to qualify gluten free. Just avoid Ketel One’s botanical and flavor-infused varieties.
Prairie Organic Vodka:
For those seeking a certified organic option, Prairie Vodka delivers with potato-based vodka grown without pesticides or GMOs. The farm-to-bottle brand offers smooth flavor and less than 5 ppm gluten.
New Amsterdam:
Made from corn in the United States, New Amsterdam boasts crisp taste with no gluten-containing ingredients. The vodka contains less than 5 ppm gluten from the filtration process. New Amsterdam also comes in a good variety of fruit flavors.
Deep Eddy:
Another Austin original, Deep Eddy Vodka derives from 100% corn. The simple grains and carbon filtration process add up to a certified gluten-free spirit with no detectable gluten protein. Those avoiding gluten have lots of flavored choices too, like lemon, ruby red, and cranberry.
Other Potato & Grape Options
Beyond the most widespread corn and grain vodkas, brands making vodka from grapes, potatoes, apples, and sugar cane also rate gluten free. Look for these varieties to avoid gluten completely:
Luksusowa Potato Vodka Chopin Potato Vodka
Boyd & Blair Potato Vodka Cîroc Vodka (grapes) Zyr Russian Vodka (grapes) Blue Ice Vodka (potatoes) Parce Rum Cane Vodka (sugar cane)
No matter your budget or flavor preferences, quality gluten-free vodkas definitely exist. Just check the production process for vodkas labeled gluten free before consuming with celiac disease or sensitivity. When in doubt, stick to trusted potato, corn, or grape-based varieties. And as always, enjoy gluten-free vodka responsibly in moderation as part of a balanced lifestyle. Your health is what matters most.
Frequently asked questions
What does gluten-free actually mean on a vodka label?
Simply seeing “gluten-free” on a vodka bottle does not guarantee it’s safe for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. Most vodka contains traces of gluten even after being distilled from glutenous grains like wheat or rye. Only vodka made from non-gluten ingredients like potatoes, grapes, or sugar cane and processed to remove gluten peptides can be considered truly gluten-free.
What’s the difference between gluten-free, low gluten, and reduced gluten vodka?
These terms are ambiguous and misleading. There are no regulated standards for labeling vodka as low or reduced gluten. And legally, vodka can still display a gluten-free label with up to 20 ppm of gluten remaining. People with serious gluten issues may still react negatively to these levels. The only way to guarantee practically zero gluten is vodka made without gluten-containing grains in the first place.
Is all potato vodka gluten-free?
Nearly all potato vodka qualifies as gluten-free. However, facility processes and production equipment also matter for guaranteeing no cross-contamination. A few rare brands might process other grains on shared lines or reuse barrels previously containing gluten. Anyone highly sensitive should check individual brands for assurance.
Which brand has the lowest gluten levels?
Among major vodka labels marketing as gluten-free, Tito’s, Deep Eddy, Prairie Organic, New Amsterdam, and others claim less than 5 ppm (parts per million) of detectable gluten protein according to their own testing processes. That puts them far below the FDA allowance of 20 ppm to advertise gluten-free.
Can I drink flavored vodka if I avoid gluten?
Flavored varieties pose more risks. Gluten-free base spirits often get combined with flavor infusions containing undisclosed gluten products during processing. If avoiding gluten completely, stick to simple unflavored vodka. Tito’s, Deep Eddy, and New Amsterdam do explicitly label their flavored vodkas gluten-free as well.
Does vodka with gluten hurt in small amounts?
It depends on an individual’s sensitivity level. People managing non-life threatening gluten sensitivities can normally tolerate occasional low-dose exposure. However, those with celiac disease should strictly avoid all gluten exposure, even traces, to prevent intestinal damage over time. Using only reliably gluten-free vodka ensures health and safety.
