Quick Answer
Yes, Deep Eddy’s lime vodka is gluten free. Deep Eddy’s distillery produces gluten-free vodkas, and their lime flavored vodka is no exception. Vodka by nature does not contain gluten, and the lime flavoring used in Deep Eddy’s lime vodka does not add any gluten. So people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity can safely enjoy Deep Eddy’s lime vodka.
About Deep Eddy Vodka
Deep Eddy Vodka is a distillery based in Austin, Texas. They produce a range of vodkas in different flavors including their original vodka, ruby red grapefruit, lemon, cranberry, and lime. Deep Eddy uses a multi-column still distillation process with corn and neutral grain spirits.
The vodkas are distilled 10 times to produce a smooth, clean tasting spirit. The flavors are created by isolating essential oils from real fruits, herbs, and spices. These oils are then blended with the distilled spirit to infuse the flavors.
According to the Deep Eddy website, their vodkas are verified gluten-free by the Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG). The GIG certification ensures products contain less than 10ppm of gluten.
Vodka Production Process
To understand why Deep Eddy’s lime vodka is gluten-free, it’s helpful to understand how vodka is made:
Ingredients
Most vodkas are distilled from fermented grains, vegetables or fruits. Common base ingredients are:
- Corn
- Wheat
- Rye
- Barley
- Potatoes
- Grapes
Deep Eddy uses a blend of corn and neutral grain spirits for its vodkas. The corn and neutral spirits do not contain any gluten.
Fermentation
The grains, vegetables or fruits are ground up and mixed with water to create a mash. Yeast is added to the mash to trigger fermentation where the starches are converted into alcohol. This process does not generate gluten.
Distillation
The fermented mash is then distilled to isolate and concentrate the alcohol. Multiple distillations can be performed to achieve higher purity. Distillation removes impurities like gluten proteins.
Flavoring
For flavored vodkas like Deep Eddy’s lime, natural flavors are added after distillation. The flavors do not contain gluten and do not affect the gluten-free status of the spirit.
So due to this production process, vodka is gluten-free even if grains containing gluten like wheat or barley are used as the base ingredient. The distillation process removes the gluten proteins, resulting in a gluten-free final product.
Testing Methodology
To receive gluten-free certification, products must meet strict standards through testing:
R5 Competitive ELISA:
This test detects the presence of gluten and gluten protein peptides. ELISA stands for Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay. It is a plate based assay technique designed for detecting and quantifying proteins, antibodies, hormones, or bacteria.
In the R5 ELISA, plates are coated with monoclonal antibodies that bind specifically to gluten and gluten protein fragments. Any gluten proteins present in the vodka sample will be detected.
G12 Competitive ELISA:
Similar to the R5 ELISA, this test uses monoclonal antibodies targeted to a different set of gluten protein epitopes. Using both R5 and G12 ELISA provides comprehensive testing for any traces of gluten.
Mass Spectrometry:
In this technique, the vodka sample is first broken down into small peptides using an enzyme. Then mass spectrometry is used to measure the mass and charge of the peptide fragments. This detects peptides with sequences specific to gluten proteins from wheat, rye or barley.
Limit of Detection:
To be certified gluten-free, products must show no detection of gluten proteins above 10 parts per million (ppm). This is the lowest amount that can reliably be detected by current ELISA and mass spectrometry techniques. This rigorous limit ensures the products are safe for gluten-sensitive individuals.
Deep Eddy vodkas pass through these analytical testing methods with no gluten detected above 10 ppm, confirming their gluten-free status.
Flavored Vodkas
For flavored vodkas, it is also important to consider the flavorings used:
Natural Flavors
Deep Eddy uses natural flavors extracted from real fruits, herbs and spices to create its flavored vodkas like lime. These flavor compounds do not contain any gluten and will not affect the gluten-free property of the vodka. Independent lab testing confirms no detectable gluten.
Artificial Flavors
Some vodka brands use artificial flavorings to provide flavors like vanilla, citrus, etc. Artificial flavors are typically gluten-free as well. But it is important for manufacturers to check these added ingredients for any potential sources of gluten cross-contamination. Deep Eddy uses natural flavors so this is not a concern.
Sugar
In some fruit flavored vodkas, sugar may be added after distillation. Sugars are gluten-free ingredients. Cane sugar has no exposure to gluten grains. Beet sugar and corn syrup are also completely gluten-free.
Why Vodka is Gluten-Free
To summarize, there are several reasons why vodka, including Deep Eddy’s lime vodka, can be safely considered gluten-free:
- Distilled from gluten-free base ingredients like corn or potatoes
- Distillation process removes gluten protein from grains
- Rigorously tested with ELISA and mass spectrometry methods
- Meets certification standards of less than 10 ppm gluten
- Any added flavors do not contain gluten
Individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity can feel confident enjoying Deep Eddy’s lime vodka without risk of gluten exposure. It has been thoroughly tested and confirmed as gluten-free by reputable third party certification organizations.
Drinks to Avoid
Although most vodkas are gluten-free, here are some drinks where gluten may be introduced:
Flavored Liqueurs
Flavored liqueurs like Baileys Irish cream may have sources of gluten in the added flavors and ingredients:
- Malt extracts
- Cereal spirit bases
- Grain neutral spirits
Spiced Rum
Some spiced rums add gluten-containing grains or flour to provide flavor and color. These include:
- Barley
- Rye
- Wheat
Flavored Tequilas
Tequila is distilled from agave and is gluten-free. But flavored tequilas with added ingredients may contain gluten.
Beers and Lagers
Since beers are brewed from gluten-containing grains like barley and wheat, they are not gluten-free. Even beers labeled gluten-removed have detectable levels of gluten.
So although vodka and unflavored spirits are gluten-free, it’s important to check flavored liqueurs, spiced rums, flavored tequilas and beers for potential sources of gluten. When in doubt, look for brands that are certified gluten-free.
List of Gluten-Free Vodka Brands
Here is a table listing some popular vodka brands that have been confirmed as gluten-free:
| Vodka Brand | Flavors |
|---|---|
| Deep Eddy | Original, Ruby Red, Lemon, Lime, Cranberry |
| Tito’s | Original |
| Ciroc | Original, Flavored |
| Ketel One | Original, Flavored |
| Stoli | Original, Flavored |
| Prairie Organic | Original, Flavored |
| Belvedere | Original, Flavored |
| Chopin | Original, Flavored |
| Reyka | Original |
| Finlandia | Original, Flavored |
This table shows a selection of popular vodka brands that label their products gluten-free or have been confirmed gluten-free by consumer groups. Sticking to reputable mainstream brands is the safest option for gluten-free vodka choices. Individuals can check the official website or contact the manufacturer to verify the gluten-free status for a specific vodka product they wish to consume.
Is Titos Vodka Gluten Free?
Tito’s Handmade Vodka is another popular brand that is frequently asked about. Tito’s vodka is made from corn and is 100% gluten-free.
Here are some key facts about Tito’s vodka:
- Produced in Austin, Texas from corn neutral spirits
- No gluten-containing grains used in production
- Distilled 6 times in old-fashioned pot stills
- Lab tested to contain less than 5 ppm of gluten
- Certified gluten-free by the Gluten Intolerance Group
So individuals sensitive to gluten can safely drink Tito’s vodka. Tito’s also produces a range of naturally flavored vodkas including citrus, peach, watermelon and more. All the flavors are gluten-free as well. Tito’s vodka provides a high quality gluten-free option for spirits.
Cross Contamination Risks
Although vodka production and bottling processes eliminate gluten in the final product, there is a small risk of cross contamination through shared equipment:
- During mash fermentation – shared tanks may residue gluten
- During distillation – shared stills and pipes
- During bottling – shared bottling equipment
- Shared transport containers
To reduce this risk, dedicated gluten-free production lines are ideal. Proper cleaning protocols must be followed carefully. Distillation does help reduce carry-over of gluten proteins but may not eliminate 100% of traces.
Some vodka brands explicitly label their products as gluten-free to provide assurance to consumers. Individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should consider vodkas with gluten-free labeling for highest safety.
Drinking Vodka on a Gluten-Free Diet
Here are some tips for choosing and drinking vodka on a gluten-free diet:
- Check labels and brand websites for gluten-free designations before consuming
- Stick to major mainstream vodka brands which actively test for gluten
- Email manufacturers directly if unsure about a brand’s gluten status
- Avoid flavored liqueurs, spiced rums and flavored beers
- Opt for gluten-free mixers like soda, juice, tonic water
- In bars, order vodka with simple gluten-free mixers
- Request for vodka to be poured from unopened bottles
- Clean glasses thoroughly or bring personal cocktail shaker
With proper precautions, individuals avoiding gluten can safely enjoy the many gluten-free vodka options on the market today.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Deep Eddy’s lime vodka can be considered gluten-free based on the distillation process and independent lab testing. Deep Eddy vodkas are distilled from corn and pure spirits and contain no detectible traces of gluten proteins according to rigorous ELISA and mass spectrometry testing protocols. The natural lime flavors used also do not contain any gluten. While cross contamination can never be fully ruled out, reputable brands follow quality procedures to minimize any risk. Overall, individuals following a gluten-free diet can safely enjoy Deep Eddy’s lime vodka. When in doubt, vodka drinkers sensitive to gluten should refer to the brand’s website or contact the manufacturer directly to confirm the gluten-free status of a specific spirit product.
