Vodka is a distilled spirit made from grains or potatoes that is naturally gluten-free. This includes popular vodka brands like Smirnoff. While pure vodka contains no gluten, some flavored vodkas add ingredients after distillation that can contain gluten. This article will examine which Smirnoff flavors are gluten-free and safe for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
What is Smirnoff Vodka?
Smirnoff is one of the most recognized vodka brands in the world. It was founded in Moscow by Pyotr Arsenievich Smirnov in 1864. The vodka was first sold in the United States in 1933 after Prohibition ended. Today, Smirnoff is owned by the British company Diageo and is the largest vodka brand in the world.
Smirnoff vodka is made from corn, making it gluten-free. After distillation, natural fruit flavors and essences are added to create the various flavored Smirnoff vodkas. The alcohol content is 40% ABV (80 proof) for most Smirnoff varieties.
Are Flavored Vodkas Gluten-Free?
Flavored vodkas like those made by Smirnoff start gluten-free, but can pick up traces of gluten during the flavoring process. The main potential sources of gluten are:
- Grains or cereals used to make whiskey or neutral grain spirits added to the vodka for flavoring.
- Flavored liqueurs containing malt, wheat, barley, or rye.
- Natural or artificial flavor extracts that use gluten-containing alcohols like maltol.
- Thickening agents like wheat starch or barley malt.
- Cross-contamination from shared equipment.
Most vodka companies do not label their flavored vodkas “gluten-free” even if they are made from gluten-free base spirits like corn or potatoes. This is because the companies can’t guarantee the final product will be 100% gluten-free after adding flavorings.
What Smirnoff Flavors are Labeled Gluten-Free?
While Smirnoff does not label their flavored vodkas as gluten-free, some varieties are certified by the Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG) as being under 10 ppm gluten. These are considered safe for the majority of those sensitive to gluten.
The following Smirnoff flavors are certified gluten-free by GIG as of November 2023:
- Smirnoff Raspberry
- Smirnoff Orange
- Smirnoff Cranberry
- Smirnoff Citrus
- Smirnoff Lime
- Smirnoff Grape
- Smirnoff Watermelon
- Smirnoff Strawberry
- Smirnoff Green Apple Twist
- Smirnoff Pineapple Twist
Smirnoff states that these gluten-free varieties only use corn-based neutral spirits and natural flavors in their production process. They avoid ingredients derived from gluten-containing grains.
What About Other Smirnoff Flavors?
While the flavored Smirnoff vodkas listed above are certified gluten-free, other flavors may also be safe for gluten-sensitive individuals in practice.
According to Smirnoff’s website, their flavored vodkas are made by redistilling Smirnoff No. 21 premium vodka (which is gluten-free) with proprietary natural fruit flavors and essences. The final ABV is 30% for the flavored varieties.
Based on this production process, flavors like Smirnoff Blueberry, Smirnoff Vanilla, and Smirnoff Coconut are likely gluten-free as well. However, without third-party certification, individuals with celiac disease or gluten intolerance may want to exercise caution and avoid unlabeled flavors.
Cross-Contamination Risks
Even if a Smirnoff flavor contains no gluten-based ingredients, there is still a small risk of cross-contamination at the production facility. The Smirnoff distillery produces flavored varieties on shared equipment, so traces of gluten could be introduced.
The GIG certification limits gluten to under 10 ppm, which is considered safe for most gluten-sensitive individuals. However, people with celiac disease must follow a strict gluten-free diet with 0 ppm gluten. For these individuals, cross-contamination risks may still exist with GIG certified vodkas.
Other Gluten-Free Vodka Brands
In addition to Smirnoff, other major vodka companies also offer gluten-free flavors certified by GIG:
- Pinnacle Vodka – Pinnacle Blackberry, Whipped, Citrus, Mango, Coconut, Habanero, Cake, and Salted Caramel flavors are GIG certified.
- Absolut Vodka – Absolut Raspberri, Citron, Mandrin, and Apeach flavors are certified gluten-free.
- Svedka Vodka – Svedka Strawberry Lemonade and Raspberry are GIG certified.
There are also specialty vodka brands that are certified gluten-free across all flavors like Blue Ice Vodka and New Amsterdam Vodka.
Is Smirnoff Seltzer Gluten-Free?
In addition to vodka, Smirnoff also produces a line of flavored malt beverages called Smirnoff Seltzer. Popular varieties include Smirnoff Raspberry Rosé Seltzer, Smirnoff Blackberry Seltzer, and Smirnoff Wild Berry Seltzer.
Unlike their vodka, Smirnoff Seltzer is NOT gluten-free. The seltzers are malt-based, meaning they contain gluten from barley malt. Smirnoff Seltzer is not safe for people with celiac disease or a gluten allergy.
Drinking Gluten-Free Vodka Safely
When choosing gluten-free vodka, keep the following tips in mind:
- Check labels and company websites for gluten-free designations before consuming.
- Look for independent certification from organizations like GIG for validation.
- Stick to pure, unflavored vodka if you are highly sensitive.
- Drink gluten-free vodka in moderation as alcohol impacts gut lining integrity.
- Avoid vodka cocktails mixed with syrups, beer or glutenous ingredients.
- Use fresh fruit as garnish instead of glutenous lemon/lime wedges.
Making Your Own Infused Vodka
For ultimate peace of mind, you can also easily make your own infused vodka at home. This way, you control all the ingredients.
Here is a simple gluten-free recipe for infusing vodka with fresh fruit:
Ingredients
- 1 liter (34 oz) gluten-free vodka
- 2 cups fresh fruit (raspberries, strawberries, mangos, etc)
- 1 tbsp sugar or honey (optional)
Instructions
- Wash fruit thoroughly and pat dry. Slice larger fruit like strawberries if desired.
- Add fruit and optional sweetener to a clean glass jar or bottle. Pour in vodka.
- Seal jar and store in a cool, dark place for 1-3 days, shaking occasionally.
- Once flavors have infused, strain out fruit through a cheesecloth.
- Enjoy your gluten-free infused vodka over ice or in cocktails!
You can adjust flavors to taste by infusing for shorter or longer. Get creative with different fresh fruit, herbs, spices, or juice combinations!
Finding Gluten-Free Vodka Cocktails
In addition to enjoying your gluten-free vodka alone or with soda water and lime, you have lots of options for making vodka cocktails:
Easy Gluten-Free Vodka Mixed Drinks
- Vodka Cranberry – Combine vodka, cranberry juice, and lime wedges.
- Vodka Tonic – Just vodka and tonic water over ice.
- Screwdriver – Vodka and fresh orange juice.
- Vodka Sour – Shaken with vodka, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
- Bloody Mary – Spiced tomato juice plus vodka and gluten-free seasonings.
Fancy Cocktails
- Cosmopolitan – Blend vodka, lime juice, cranberry juice and orange liqueur.
- Black Russian – Layer vodka and coffee liqueur over ice.
- Moscow Mule – Vodka, ginger beer, and lime in a copper mug.
- White Russian – Vodka, coffee liqueur and cream or milk.
- Vodka Martini – Shaken or stirred vodka and vermouth garnished with olives.
When ordering vodka cocktails at a bar, just request gluten-free mixes and garnishes. This includes juices, soda, syrups, olives, cherries, etc. Avoid malt beverages as mixers. Enjoy your gluten-free drinks responsibly!
The Bottom Line
Most Smirnoff vodka flavors are likely safe in moderation for gluten-sensitive individuals, despite not being formally certified. Raspberry, orange, cranberry, citrus, lime, grape, watermelon, strawberry, green apple twist and pineapple twist are third-party certified as gluten-free by GIG.
Smirnoff Seltzer contains gluten from malt and is not safe. When enjoying gluten-free vodka, opt for unflavored varieties or infuse your own for maximum safety if you are highly sensitive. Always check labels and consume responsibly.
