Patron tequila is distilled from 100% blue agave and contains no gluten ingredients. This makes Patron naturally gluten-free. All Patron tequilas, including Silver, Reposado, Añejo, and Extra Añejo, are safe for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
What is Patron tequila?
Patron is a premium tequila brand founded in 1989 in Mexico. Patron uses only the highest-quality 100% blue agave from the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico. The agave plants are hand-harvested when they reach maturity at 6-8 years. The piñas (hearts) are then slow-cooked in small batches to extract the agave juice that is fermented and distilled into tequila.
Patron is an ultra-premium tequila focused on quality and taste. Their core lineup includes:
- Patron Silver – Unaged white tequila
- Patron Reposado – Aged 2 months in oak barrels
- Patron Añejo – Aged 12 months in oak barrels
- Patron Extra Añejo – Aged over 36 months in oak barrels
In addition to the core range, Patron also produces limited and specialty releases like their Extra Añejo 7 Años and Gran Patron Platinum.
Is tequila gluten-free by nature?
Yes, tequila is naturally gluten-free. Tequila is produced by distilling fermented agave juice. Agave does not contain gluten. The distillation process further removes any traces of gluten that could potentially be introduced during fermentation.
Here are the key reasons why tequila is gluten-free:
- Tequila must be made from at least 51% blue agave according to Mexican law. Agave is naturally gluten-free.
- Any other sugars used in production (up to 49%) must be gluten-free. Common additions include cane sugar, which does not contain gluten.
- Distillation removes gluten proteins. The distillation process ensures no traces of gluten make it into the final spirit.
- No gluten-containing additives or flavorings are added after distillation that could introduce gluten.
Major tequila brands will always be gluten-free unless specifically labeled otherwise. Avoid any flavored or mixed tequila drinks that may contain gluten ingredients.
Why is Patron tequila gluten-free?
Patron tequila is gluten-free because it is distilled purely from 100% blue agave with no gluten-containing ingredients added. Here are the key reasons Patron contains no gluten:
- Patron uses 100% blue agave. No other sugars are added.
- Agave plants contain no gluten naturally.
- The distillation process removes any traces of gluten, not that there are any.
- No gluten-containing additives, flavorings or colors are used in production.
- No gluten ingredients come into contact with Patron tequilas during production, bottling or sealing.
Patron has exacting production standards to produce a premium tequila flavored by the agave alone. No gluten can make it into the final bottled product.
Does Patron tequila contain any gluten ingredients?
No, Patron tequila contains no gluten ingredients whatsoever. The main ingredients in Patron tequila are:
- 100% Blue Agave – Naturally gluten-free
- Water – Used in fermentation and dilution
- Yeast – Used in fermentation, gluten-free yeast strains only
No gluten grains like wheat, barley, rye or oats are used in Patron production. Only natural gluten-free ingredients are used to create the great flavor and aroma of Patron tequilas.
Has Patron’s gluten-free status been validated?
Yes. Patron tequila’s gluten-free status has been validated by two separate gluten-free certification organizations:
- The Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG) has certified all Patron tequilas as gluten-free to less than 10ppm.
- The Celiac Support Association (CSA) has also certified all Patron tequilas as 100% gluten-free.
Both certifications confirm that rigorous testing verified Patron contains no detectable levels of gluten and is safe for those with celiac disease and gluten intolerance.
Is all Patron tequila gluten-free?
Yes, all Patron tequila products are certified gluten-free by GIG and CSA. This includes:
- Patron Silver
- Patron Reposado
- Patron Añejo
- Patron Extra Añejo
- Patron Extra Añejo 7 Años
- Patron Gran Patron Platinum
- Any limited or specialty releases
There are no exceptions. All bottles of Patron tequila contain no detectable levels of gluten and are safe for gluten-free diets.
Is Patron tequila safe for celiac disease?
Yes, all types of Patron tequila are considered safe for those with celiac disease. Independent lab testing shows Patron contains less than 10 ppm of gluten. This is far below the 20 ppm maximum gluten threshold for foods labeled gluten-free.
Individuals with celiac disease can drink Patron tequila without concern over gluten exposure or intestinal damage. Patron provides no risk of adverse reactions like diarrhea, bloating, fatigue and other symptoms triggered by gluten ingestion.
Can you drink Patron tequila on a gluten-free diet?
Absolutely. Patron tequila is a gluten-free friendly option that can be enjoyed freely as part of a gluten-free diet. People maintaining a gluten-free lifestyle due to celiac, gluten sensitivity or other reasons can safely drink Patron tequila.
Patron tequila has been rigorously tested and certified gluten-free. No changes in production, fermentation or distillation processes are needed to make Patron gluten-free. It is naturally gluten-free by virtue of being produced from 100% agave.
Is Patron better than other tequila brands for gluten-free diets?
Patron cannot claim to be safer or better than other gluten-free certified tequila brands in terms of gluten content. Many premium 100% agave tequila brands like Herradura, Don Julio, Cazadores, Milagro and others are also certified gluten-free and safe for those avoiding gluten.
However, Patron stands out with its exceptional smoothness and ultra-premium quality coming from its estate-grown agave. The care put into growing and harvesting the agave, combined with an artisanal production process, makes for a superb sipping tequila.
While Patron is no safer than other reputable gluten-free tequila brands for celiacs, it offers an unparalleled refined tequila experience that gluten-free consumers can enjoy responsibly.
Does Patron offer any gluten-free cocktails?
Patron itself does not offer any pre-mixed gluten-free cocktails. As a purveyor of ultra-premium tequila, they leave the cocktail creation to professional bartenders and mixologists.
That said, Patron tequila can certainly be used to make delicious gluten-free cocktails at home or at the bar. Here are some popular gluten-free cocktails that can be made with Patron:
- Paloma – Patron Silver with grapefruit soda and lime
- Margarita – Patron Silver or Reposado with lime and gluten-free orange liqueur
- Patron Sunrise – Patron Silver, orange juice and grenadine
- Mexican Mule – Patron Silver with ginger beer and lime
When ordering Patron cocktails at a bar, be sure to confirm no gluten-containing mixes are used. Also avoid cream or coffee liqueurs, which may contain gluten.
Is Patron flavored tequila gluten-free?
No, Patron’s flavored tequilas like Citrónge and Cafe are not considered gluten-free. While the base spirit is gluten-free, the added flavors contain gluten:
- Patrón Citrónge – Orange liqueur used contains gluten
- Patrón Cocoa – Chocolate liqueur used contains gluten
- Patrón XO Cafe – Coffee liqueur used contains gluten
Those needing to avoid gluten should stick to unflavored Patron tequilas like Silver, Reposado, Añejo and Extra Añejo only.
Can you cook with Patron tequila on a gluten-free diet?
Yes, Patron tequila is a great gluten-free cooking ingredient. Its pure agave flavor and smoothness makes it a versatile addition to gluten-free recipes, both sweet and savory. Here are some recipe ideas:
- Gluten-free Patron margarita cupcakes or cookies
- Patron caramel or chocolate sauce over ice cream
- Patron pineapple shrimp stir fry
- Patron chicken fajitas with onions and peppers
- Gluten-free Patron infused whipped cream
When cooking with alcohol, be mindful of burning off some of the Patron’s aromas and flavors. Avoid high or prolonged heat to preserve Patron’s quality.
Is Patron safe to drink on a gluten-free diet?
Yes, Patron tequila is conclusively safe for those on a gluten-free diet. Independent laboratory testing shows it contains less than 10 ppm of gluten, well below the maximum thresholds for gluten-free labeling.
No gluten grains, proteins or ingredients come into contact with Patron during production or bottling. Drinking Patron as part of a gluten-free lifestyle will not cause ill effects or set back your health management.
What about cross-contamination risks with Patron tequila?
There is minimal to no risk of gluten cross-contamination during Patron’s production and bottling. Here are the key reasons why:
- No gluten grains are present in the distillery or come into contact with equipment
- Patron has dedicated gluten-free equipment and facilities
- Careful sanitation and cleaning procedures are followed
- No shared lines or equipment are used with other products
- Gluten-free certification requires stringent cross-contamination controls
Reputable gluten-free certifications like GIG and CSA require facilities to implement and validate robust controls to avoid cross-contamination. Consumers can trust these certifications.
Should you rely on Patron’s gluten-free labeling?
Patron does not label their tequila bottles as gluten-free. However, their gluten-free status has been validated through rigorous third-party testing for certification by GIG and CSA.
These respected gluten-free certifiers require extensive testing down to parts per million. Facilities must also demonstrate proper production controls and procedures to avoid cross-contamination. The symbol of certification can be trusted.
Those with celiac disease or on a gluten-free diet should look for certification from reputable organizations like GIG, CSA, or the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO).
Is all Patron merchandise gluten-free too?
No, items like Patron apparel, accessories, barware and other merchandise are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. They may be manufactured externally and could contain gluten.
Only Patron spirits like their tequila and vodka lines are rigorously produced and tested to verified gluten standards. Non-alcohol merchandise should not be assumed gluten-free without certification.
Conclusion
Patron tequila provides those on gluten-free diets or with celiac disease a safe, high-end option to enjoy. All Patron tequilas from Silver to Extra Añejo are produced using 100% blue agave and no gluten ingredients whatsoever.
Third party certifications validate Patron contains less than 10 ppm gluten and proper controls prevent cross-contamination risks. While not labeled gluten-free on the bottle, consumers can confidently enjoy Patron tequila without gluten concerns or reactions.
With its smooth refined flavor arising purely from the agave, Patron offers a premium sipping experience that gluten-free consumers can savor responsibly. Patron enhances recipes and cocktails, allowing those sensitive to gluten to partake in the joy and flavors of tequila.
