Happy (almost) half birthday to me! Here's some of my favorite seltzers that I think will pair nicely with the warmth this summer.
Gluten has a lovely habit of hiding in the places you'd least expect it, and this was a hard lesson for me to learn. As I've mentioned before - toothpaste, makeup, medication... beer and malt beverages - you name it.
In some cases, alcoholic drinks can be gluten-filled due to occasional added ingredients or the specific brewing process. For example, beer is never safe, unless specified, because it is traditionally made with barley, hops, yeast and sometimes wheat. Gluten levels may decrease during the process, but there is usually still a remaining gluten level above 20 ppm (parts per million), also known as the legal content level for the labelling process.
This also goes for malt beverages, like Twisted Tea or Seagrams, because these are fermented with gluten-containing grains.
Most clear liquors are gluten-free, but this does not go for all. Tito's Vodka, for example, is certified gluten-free by GFCO! Along with this, one of my favorites, gin, is considered to be gluten-free because the gluten content is removed during the distillation process, but with that being said, this does not go for all brands, so it's best to check prior.
The invention of White Claw in 2016 was a cannon event. Although this was not the first hard seltzer to ever exist, it for sure stole the spotlight from all the others. This opened the doors for many, many other brands to take their shot at making their own hard seltzers, and of course, obtaining a GFCO label!
Anyways, I'll stop yapping. Here are some of my favorites:
1. Truly Hard Seltzer
Aside from White Claws, Truly easily steals the show for a close third place, in my opinion. Made with real fruit juice, sparkling water and Tequila Blanco, this makes for a laid-back, refreshing bev that's perfect for summertime.
2. NÃœTRL Vodka Seltzer
HUGE shoutout to my mom for introducing this to me a few weeks ago. NÃœTRL takes the cake for my personal favorite on this list, for many reasons. The thing with hard seltzers is that there needs to be an almost perfect balance of flavor and refreshment, and I feel that NÃœTRL does this perfectly. The flavors are light and crisp, unlike some other seltzers I have tried in my day, making it the best to sip on while tanning on the beach.
3. Bud Light Seltzer
Another classic and reliable drink that I feel pairs best with a hotdog at Yankee Stadium, (if you follow my Instagram, @glutenfreepaige, you may know where I'm going with this). Of course, celiacs and gluten sensitive people cannot enjoy a classic Bud Light brew, but they surely made it their mission to be all-inclusive. I'm just glad they went the seltzer route, because I will be a (gluten-free) beer hater until the day I die. Although, for my Canadian readers and fellow border hoppers, according to celiac.com, Bud Seltzers in Canada are made with malt and not gluten-free.
4. High Noon
Again, thanks for making me try this, Mom. If you're more on the heavier flavor side of things, this is the drink for you. High Noon seltzers carry a bolder flavor, in comparison to their competitors, that isn't overpowering or artificial.
5. White Claw
Did you really think I'd skip the OG seltzer? (of my time). Although I may rank NÃœTRL above the classic, it's a classic for a good reason. White Claw Seltzers, specifically black cherry and lime, will always be my go-to when looking for a pack at Shoprite. ALSO, the brand recently added a NA seltzer to their collection, which is also celiac-safe and gluten-free!
Drink responsibly and enjoy some seltzers! (21+ of course).
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