Gluten-Free Cider: Is The Alcoholic Apple Drink Suitable For Celiacs?

Dry or sweet, still or sparkling and frothy, with alcohol content ranging from 2 to 12 degrees, natural or flavored: apple cider is a truly versatile drink that can accompany all meals, can be served instead of beer or wine, or enjoyed at aperitif time sipping a good cocktail.

We often read that another of the characteristics of cider is that it is a drink suitable for celiacs: is this really the case? In this article we will explain it to you precisely, so as not to incur any kind of error!

Is Cider Gluten-Free?

We know how important it is for a person with celiac disease or gluten intolerance to have constant control over their diet and accurate and truthful information.

The reason why cider (whether apple or pear, another tasty variant) is commonly considered a gluten-free beverage lies in its raw material, fruit, which is naturally gluten-free.

However, the ABC of the celiac diet, the manual compiled by the Italian Celiac Association (AiC), which is the fundamental guide for people with celiac disease and gluten intolerance, and whose guidelines will accompany us throughout this article, places cider among the “at-risk” gluten foods: At risk are those “foods that could contain gluten in amounts exceeding 20 ppm or at risk of contamination and for which it is necessary to know and control the ingredients and manufacturing processes. AiC recommends consuming these foods if they are listed in the Handbook or carry the ‘gluten-free’ label.”

So here is the definitive answer to our initial question: Is cider a gluten-free alcoholic beverage suitable for celiacs?

Yes, if the packaging bears the ‘gluten-free’ label. AiC also compiles a constantly updated gluten-free food guide, but even before that, the gluten-free label takes precedence, as a product might not yet be included in the Handbook but be gluten-free.

It is important to note that in the case of apple cider, the ‘at-risk’ categorization does not stem from the ingredients (since apples and fruit in general are gluten-free) but is used to regulate potential contaminations.

Do Beverages Contain Gluten?

After discovering that even apple cider, traditionally considered a gluten-free beverage, can be at risk of containing gluten, let’s clarify which beverages contain gluten and which do not. For a person with celiac disease or gluten intolerance, it is crucial to know which beverages might contain gluten, keeping in mind that AiC’s ABC and the Handbook are the primary tools for dispelling any doubts.

In the field of non-alcoholic beverages, there are many that celiacs can safely consume, such as most carbonated drinks (orange soda, Coca-Cola, soda, chinotto, and tonic water, including their light versions) or fruit juices.

Others require great attention as they might be at risk of containing gluten, such as flavored waters, chocolate drink mixes, syrup for drinks and granitas, and plant-based beverages, whose consumption has grown exponentially in recent years and on which we should focus more exhaustively.

Which Plant-Based Beverages Are Gluten-Free?

Plant-based beverages have become a common item on our tables, used in case of lactose intolerance, in vegan diets, or preferred for being more digestible than cow’s milk. Plant-based beverages can also be an excellent gluten-free option, provided they are made from soy, rice, almonds, and coconut, while those made from grains like barley, spelt, millet, and kamut should be completely avoided. Oat-based beverages deserve special mention: despite being a grain, the Italian Celiac Association and the Board of its Scientific Committee have recently agreed that all oat-based products labeled ‘gluten-free’ are allowed in a gluten-free diet.

Which Alcoholic Beverages Can Celiacs Drink? A Guide to Gluten-Free Alcoholic Beverages

Now, let’s look at which alcoholic beverages are safe for celiacs. The permitted alcoholic beverages, where gluten is definitely absent, are:

• Wine
• Sparkling wine (even if added with sulfites)
• Distilled spirits (cognac, gin, grappa, rum, tequila, whiskey, vodka, vermouth, etc.) as long as they are not flavored or mixed with other substances.

However, the following are considered at risk and recommended only if listed in the Handbook or labeled ‘gluten-free’:

• Liqueurs and bitters, as they might be flavored or mixed with other substances;
• Beers made from allowed cereals (rice, corn malt, or sorghum);
• Apple cider.

Certain types of beer are excluded from consumption by celiacs. Which ones? Beers made from barley malt and/or wheat, unless they are labeled ‘gluten-free.’ Nowadays, it is possible to find gluten-free barley-based beverages on the market, but AiC suggests moderate or occasional consumption as they still contain a fixed gluten residue.

Apple Cider: The Gluten-Free Beer Alternative

In the panorama of gluten-free alcoholic beverages, apple cider stands out, often considered a gluten-free beer alternative (remember, it must be marked with the gluten-free label!). The two products share several aspects: similar alcohol content, appearance with their beautiful colors ranging from golden yellow to orange and bronze, and their refreshing and thirst-quenching nature. It is no coincidence that in northern Europe, where cider consumption is widespread, it is served in pubs just like the most traditional beers. However, unlike some gluten-free beers made from barley and wheat, included by AiC among the at-risk foods because they still contain a fixed gluten residue, apple cider does not exceed the 20 ppm limit, and its inclusion among the at-risk foods is related to regulating “possible accidental, occasional, and non-continuous contaminations.”

Aperitif Hour: Gluten-Free Cocktails Based on Cider

In the era of mixology, it can be very challenging for a celiac to enjoy a good cocktail without worrying that some ingredient might hide gluten. Cocktails such as mojito, dry martini, caipirinha, or gin and tonic are generally safe (provided, for example, that fresh fruit or aromatic plants are used). But if the desire is to try something new, cider-based cocktails are certainly worth considering! Indeed, the mix between apple cider (strictly marked with the gluten-free label) and gluten-free alcoholic beverages is not only allowed but can create really interesting solutions that both celiacs and those curious to try new flavors can enjoy. By giving free rein to the creativity and skills of a professional bartender, you can taste, for example, some great classics of the aperitif hour revisited in a gluten-free key: think of the Spritz, where prosecco can be replaced with cider (someone has even invented a convenient ‘Cider Spritz’ directly in a can!); or the Melini, a golden alternative to the Bellini, where cider and apple puree take center stage. Also well known is the Cider Sangria, made with white wine and calvados, with fresh fruit pieces as the star; and again, combining cider with tequila, mint, and ginger will create a tasty cocktail mixing the notes of mojito and Moscow mule.

Alcoholic Beverages and Celiacs: Do All Liqueurs Contain Gluten?

Liqueurs fall among the at-risk alcoholic beverages for celiacs because they are made through cold processing methods, such as maceration or infusion, where ethyl alcohol or another alcoholic liquid is mixed with sugar syrup or flavored, clarified, or colored. Therefore, although not all liqueurs contain gluten, it is necessary to check that the bottle is guaranteed ‘gluten-free’ or that the product appears in the AiC Handbook. Thus, potentially, many liqueurs on the market (such as limoncello, Campari, Bailey’s, sambuca) can be enjoyed by celiacs or those intolerant to gluten, as long as they are guaranteed gluten-free.

Can Celiacs Drink Wine?

Finally, some good news without ifs or buts: celiacs and those intolerant to gluten can safely drink good wine! White, red, still, or sparkling, wine derived from the fermentation process of grapes is always allowed as it is gluten-free, even if added with sulfites. The same applies to sparkling wine, whether made with the Champenois or Charmat method. So, always drink responsibly: cheers to everyone!