Yes, cider is gluten-free.
According to information regarding various alcoholic beverages, cider is gluten-free. The provided reference explicitly states, "Cider, wine, sherry, spirits, port and liqueurs are gluten free". This confirms that cider is a safe option for individuals following a gluten-free diet.
Unlike beverages made from grains like wheat or barley, cider is traditionally produced from fermented apple juice. This makes it naturally free from gluten. The reference also notes that other drinks like wine, sherry, port, and liqueurs are typically gluten-free. While distilled spirits are generally gluten-free after distillation, the reference adds a crucial point: spirits only contain gluten if gluten-containing ingredients are added after the distillation process. In such cases, labelling legislation requires product labels to clearly indicate if wheat, barley, rye, or oats have been added. However, this specific caveat does not apply to cider, which is confirmed as gluten-free.
To summarize the gluten status of beverages mentioned:
| Beverage Type | Gluten Status |
|---|---|
| Cider | Gluten Free |
| Wine | Gluten Free |
| Sherry | Gluten Free |
| Spirits | Generally Gluten Free (check label if ingredients added post-distillation) |
| Port | Gluten Free |
| Liqueurs | Gluten Free |
Therefore, based on the available information, you can confidently consider cider a gluten-free drink.
