Is tequila gluten-free?
Yes, and it is one of the few categories where the answer needs no qualification. Tequila is distilled from blue agave, which is a succulent, not a grain. There is no gluten anywhere in the process for distillation to have to remove.
Every tequila here, by base material
| Brand | Made from | ABV | Gluten-free label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casamigos Blanco | — | 40% | ✓ Yes |
| Don Julio Blanco | — | 40% | ✓ Yes |
| Espolòn Blanco | — | 40% | ✓ Yes |
| Patrón Silver | — | 40% | ✓ Yes |
"Not by label" means the spirit is made from a gluten grain, so US rules bar the claim. It does not mean gluten was detected.
Why that is the answer
This is the cleanest gluten answer on the site, because it does not depend on distillation at all. Where a wheat vodka is gluten-free only because the protein cannot survive the still, tequila never contains gluten to begin with, so it can carry the label without argument. One caveat worth knowing: mixto tequila is only 51% agave, and the rest is other fermentable sugar, in practice cane. That is still not a gluten grain, so mixto is gluten-free too. It is worse in other ways, which is what the hangover ranking is for.
FAQ
Is tequila gluten-free? ▾
Yes. Tequila is made from blue agave, a succulent rather than a grain, so no gluten is present at any point. This holds for both 100% agave and mixto bottlings.
Is tequila safe for celiac disease? ▾
It is among the safest choices, because the question of whether distillation removed the gluten never arises. There was none in the agave to start with.
Are flavoured tequilas gluten-free? ▾
Usually, but the flavouring is where to check. The tequila itself is fine; added flavourings, colourings and sweeteners are a separate ingredient list and the only place gluten could enter.
Informational only, not medical advice. If you have coeliac disease, your own tolerance matters more than any label.