Many people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity wonder if gin contains gluten. The short answer is no, most gins are gluten-free, including Bombay Dry Gin.
What is Bombay Dry Gin?
Bombay Dry Gin is a popular premium gin produced by Bacardi. It was originally created in 1959 in Bombay, India. The name “Bombay” refers to the origin of the recipe. Bombay Dry Gin has a distinctive flavor profile with notes of juniper, angelica, coriander, lemon peel, and orris root.
Does Bombay Dry Gin Contain Gluten?
No, Bombay Dry Gin does not contain any gluten ingredients. Gluten is a protein found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye. Since gin is distilled from grains, many people wonder if it contains gluten. However, the distillation process removes the gluten from the base grains. Here is some more information on why Bombay Dry Gin is considered gluten-free:
- Made from corn, not gluten grains: Bombay Dry Gin is distilled from a base spirit made of corn. Corn does not contain gluten.
- Distillation removes gluten proteins: Even if the base spirit was made from gluten grains, distillation separates the gluten proteins.
- No gluten ingredients added: No gluten-containing ingredients are added during production of Bombay Dry Gin.
- Label states “gluten-free”: Bombay Dry Gin is labeled as “gluten-free” by the manufacturer, Bacardi.
For these reasons, most mainstream gin brands that do not add wheat or barley ingredients, including Bombay Dry Gin, are considered gluten-free.
Verification from Bacardi
Bacardi, the manufacturer of Bombay Dry Gin, has confirmed that the product does not contain any gluten ingredients:
“Bombay Dry Gin is gluten-free. It is made from a corn base spirit and botanicals that do not contain gluten ingredients.” – Bacardi Consumer Relations
So you can feel confident enjoying Bombay Dry Gin if you follow a gluten-free diet.
Other Types of Bombay Gin
In addition to the original Bombay Dry Gin, Bacardi produces several other varieties:
- Bombay Sapphire – Bacardi has confirmed this is also gluten-free.
- Bombay Bramble – Flavored with blackberry and raspberry. Does not contain gluten.
- Bombay Star – An anise-flavored gin that is gluten-free.
- Bombay East – Infused with Thai lemongrass, Vietnamese peppercorns, and other spices. Gluten-free.
The entire Bombay brand of gins are made without any gluten-containing ingredients and are safe for people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
Cross-Contamination Risk
While Bombay Dry Gin contains no gluten in its ingredients, some people wonder about the risk of cross-contamination during production. Since many distilleries also produce vodka and other spirits from gluten grains, this is a valid concern. Here is some information to alleviate worries about cross-contamination:
- Dedicated equipment: Reputable distilleries use dedicated equipment and production lines for gluten-free spirits.
- Batch distillation: Gin production is done in small batches, with equipment cleaned between batches.
- Filtration: The final distilled spirit is filtered thoroughly to remove impurities.
- Lab testing: Many brands test final products to verify no detectable gluten.
With proper procedures in place, the risk of gluten cross-contamination in distilled spirits like Bombay Dry Gin is very low. Many brands also test their products to give consumers extra assurance.
Drinking Bombay Gin on a Gluten-Free Diet
Most experts in celiac disease and gluten intolerance agree that purified distilled spirits like gin are safe to consume. Here are some tips for enjoying Bombay Dry Gin on a gluten-free diet:
- Drink gin on its own or with gluten-free mixers. Plain tonic, soda, and lime juice are all gluten-free.
- Avoid premixed cocktails, which may contain glutenous additives.
- Check labels on flavored tonics or sodas for gluten ingredients.
- Use fresh fruit wedges instead of maraschino cherries, which may contain barley.
- Choose gluten-free snacks like potato chips or nuts to accompany gin.
- Look for gluten-free vermouth if making gin martinis or other mixed drinks.
Drinking reputable brand-name gin like Bombay Dry Gin straight or in simple cocktails is a delicious gluten-free option. Just take basic precautions to avoid contaminated mixers or garnishes.
The Bottom Line
Bombay Dry Gin, along with other Bombay gin varieties, are considered gluten-free. They are distilled from corn, not gluten grains. The distillation process removes any trace of gluten from the base ingredients. Bombay gins do not contain any added gluten ingredients. The manufacturer, Bacardi, confirms the products are gluten-free and safe for those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance. With proper precautions, Bombay Dry Gin can be enjoyed as part of a gluten-free diet.