All Vodka Is Gluten Free (And Other Silly Things We Shouldn’t Have to Say)
Let’s talk about one of the biggest marketing scams in spirits:
“Gluten-free vodka.”
You’ve seen it on labels. You’ve heard people brag about it. You might have even paid extra for it.
Here’s the punchline:
All vodka is gluten free.
Legally. Scientifically. Always.
Yes, even if it’s made from wheat.
Yes, even if it doesn’t say “gluten free” on the bottle.
Yes, including the stuff that existed decades before “gluten free” was trendy.
So why do some brands shout it from the rooftops?
Because it sounds healthy.
Because it sells.
Because marketing loves confusion.
Let’s see if we can clear this up and give you other good reasons to buy vodka — like its flavor profile, texture, and craftsmanship that actually matter more than labels.
How Vodka Is Made (The Simple Version)
Vodka is distilled. Distillation means you boil the liquid, turn alcohol into vapor, and then condense it back into liquid. Alcohol rises as vapor. Gluten does not. Gluten is a heavy protein molecule. It stays behind.²
In other words:
Distillation removes gluten.
This is not a theory. This is chemistry. According to the TTB (the governing body for Alcohol), all distilled spirits are considered gluten free, even if they were originally made from gluten-containing grains.¹ The only caveat that’s worth mentioning here is what happens after distillation.
What about flavored vodkas?
Once distillation is complete, some brands add flavoring or sweeteners. A few of those additives can contain gluten if they’re made with grain-based ingredients. The TTB only allows a flavored vodka to be labeled “gluten free” if the brand can prove the flavorings are also gluten free.³
Zakuska Vodka is unflavored, unfiltered, and naturally gluten free.
No additives. Nothing added after distillation.
Although, all this talk of marketing labels that help you stand out had us thinking, wanted to run a couple ideas by you all and see which of these might have some potential. Vote in the comments:
Zakuska Vodka: “Zero shark attacks per bottle!”
Zakuska Vodka: “Now (and before) 100% raccoon-free!”
Zakuska Vodka: “Contains more accordion than any leading vodka”
Zakuska Vodka: “Certified Iocane powder free since 2023”
Zakuska Vodka: “Zero cases of color blindness reported”
Zakuska Vodka: “No dragons were harmed in the making of this vodka.”
So What Actually Matters in Vodka?
What separates good vodka from bad? Here’s what really matters:
Quality of ingredients
Fermentation process
How it’s distilled
Whether it’s filtered (and how)
Texture, flavor, and finish
Honesty and transparency
Filtration is a big one. Most vodkas are charcoal filtered until they taste like nothing. That’s why the category has a reputation for being “flavorless.”
Why Zakuska Is Different
We’re unfiltered on purpose. Filtering strips out characters. We want the natural grain notes. We want texture. We want personality. Filtering strips out oils and fats and leaves vodka watery. We want our vodka to have legs and have a nice mouth feel.
Zakuska is an unfiltered vodka with flavor that doesn’t shy away from its roots. It belongs among unfiltered vodka brands that celebrate authenticity and craftsmanship.
Zakuska has subtle hints of honey, vanilla, fig, and spice. It has warmth and structure. It sits beautifully in cocktails and stands on its own in a chilled shot. Its flavor profile offers depth and balance that true enthusiasts appreciate.
We respect tradition and trust the ingredients. This is vodka with character, made to be enjoyed, not disguised.
So… Is Zakuska Vodka Gluten Free?
Yes.
But so is all properly distilled vodka.
Maybe given all that we’ll go with this tagline:
Zakuska Vodka. An honest expression of spirit.
(Still raccoon-free, by the way.)
U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Ruling 2014-2: Distilled spirits are considered gluten free because distillation removes gluten proteins, even when made from gluten-containing grains.
Gluten proteins are too large to vaporize during distillation, preventing them from carrying over into the final spirit (Celiac Disease Foundation and industry consensus).
TTB labeling guidelines: Flavored spirits may only be labeled gluten free if any post-distillation flavorings or additives are also gluten free, since these ingredients can reintroduce gluten.
