Drinks at the bars?

[Celiac4762]

Hey guys, does anyone have any go-to drinks they get at most bars that are pretty much always gluten free? I'm having a tough time ordering when I'm out with my friends. I don't ever know what's safe, and asking the bartender EXACTLY what's in each drink is kind of a pain. 

Ill probably still always ask, but it would be nice to have a small handful of drinks that I can rely on.

 

preferably things without caffeine or dairy.

 

let me know what you think!

[Zodi1993]

Anything using Tito’s vodka. Most places carry it so it’s my daughters go to drink. Also Angry Orchard cider is a good choice. She often brings her own when it’s applicable. Better safe than sick. 

[Ennis-TX]

4 hours ago, Celiac4762 said:

Hey guys, does anyone have any go-to drinks they get at most bars that are pretty much always gluten free? I'm having a tough time ordering when I'm out with my friends. I don't ever know what's safe, and asking the bartender EXACTLY what's in each drink is kind of a pain. 

Ill probably still always ask, but it would be nice to have a small handful of drinks that I can rely on.

 

preferably things without caffeine or dairy.

 

let me know what you think!

While Most Hard Liqours are gluten free due to the distilling process these are ones I have contacted the company on.
Open Original Shared Link
^Local cider here in Texas, I keep these for guest, good alternative to the "Beer Can Chicken"

Open Original Shared Link
^Suggested by someone else I was talking to

Open Original Shared Link
^Old Staple for many and company says they are gluten free

Open Original Shared Link
^I use this in cooking, goes great finishing off veggie saute

Open Original Shared Link
^Corn Based Vodka

Open Original Shared Link
^Grape Based Vodka

Rums are all made with molasses so most are OK just be careful of flavored ones.

PS a issue in bars is the glasses.....during rush time they are not even going to be cleaned right but just rinsed/sanitized. This does not remove gluten.....Call before hand and see if you can bring your own cup or get it in a disposable.

[Celiac4762]

I know which alcohols are gluten free. I haven't really had a problem with that. My problem is when I go to a bar, what do I order? Like what popular mixed drinks are gluten free regularly? 

[Erica Hendricks]

I usually get Titos with club soda but it also goes well with orange juice and cranberry juice. You could also get rum with pineapple juice or a non caffeinated soda such as sprite. 

[Ennis-TX]

I always like hot drinks...Hot toddies were a go to for me. Like hot spiced orange flavored juice and coconut or vanilla rum...like a spiced hot dreamcicle in a glass. Hot apple cider with rum. Get a good non grain based cream vodka and mix it with root beer or a orange soda.  God I miss my drinking days, this time of the year my family used to make my grandmas russian tea.....oh god you could sneak in 2-4 shots of a smooth rum into one and not even notice it.

[BlackShoesBlackSocks]

l'm not a big clear alcohol- drinker but l've been sticking with vodka based mixed drinks.

 

Most of the add ins are pretty straightforward (vodka cran should be hard to sneak gluten into, l hope).

 

If you patronize some regular spots, especially chains, you should feel totally fine about emailing CS and asking any questions.

 

l've only had to this once, l wasn't sure about Margarita mix. It's pretty dependent on where you go, you can even ask the bartender what kind of margarita mix is used and ingredients may be available online.

 

Check out the drink menus, at first l needed to read ingredients for countless brands and types of alcohol but you'll find that the same liquours are used frequently.

 

Avoid whiskey, of course. Tequila, in most cases, unless incredibly cheap and not brand named should be gluten-free from what l understand. 

 

l'm a big wine drinker but have mixed drinks when out.

[Celiac4762]

Sweet, thank you everyone this helps a lot!

[Kurasz]

Red bridge beer is my go to drink, otherwise I drink Kessler's whiskey and squirt. Vodka, tequila, and gin are all gluten free. If you want a mixed drink, make sure they don't use the fountain soda. California wines are absolutely out of the question due to the high concentration of pesticides and herbicides. 

[apprehensiveengineer]

I try to stick to canned/bottled drinks (safe ciders, gluten-free beers) mostly, and ask them to be delivered to me in the original container. I have been [disastrously] glutened by glasses at bars a few times; many just sanitize them (common bleach bucket) when it is busy, which may leave them with some beer residue. If it's slower, you can ask for a glass to be cleaned for you/one that just came out of the dishwasher, or even bring your own. Many camping/hiking places sell collapsible/nesting cups that you can stick in a bag or pocket. People will think you're weird, but it's better than being sick... also a great opportunity to educate folks on the "devil's in the details" aspect of celiac disease.

Steer clear of garnishes (rim salt, limes etc.) as those get contaminated easily by servers' hands, which are washed infrequently. And if not that... once I saw a bartender cutting the limes directly on the counter underneath the beer taps (EEE). I don't like mixed drinks, but straight juice or pop should be ok. If they're using taps (common), sometimes those get tossed around a bit or dipped in drinks when filling. I don't know if that's a true worry (don't like that sort of thing), but I have seen it while ordering drinks.

Distilled alcohol in general is fine. Some brands/varieties have flavourings or other ingredients added post-distillation that may render them unsafe. Don't rely on the servers to know which specific brands/varieties may be safe or unsafe. Either know a few that are definitely ok/no ok or be prepared to google stuff in the bar if you are worried.

True wine or gluten-free beer (not gluten-removed... many bars misrepresent these beers!) is a safe bet no matter what. Cider is almost always fine, just double check to make sure it's not a "beer-cider" or a flavoured cider. I don't like to drink tap cider (CC nightmare, had a bad experience), but others don't worry about this.