Yes, not all alcohol is vegan! If you’re feeling a bit lost in this, here’s my guide to help you understand it all. I’ve also included a handy list of vegan-friendly spirit brands.
Obviously, some alcoholic drinks clearly contain dairy, like classic Bailey’s, milkshake beers, and such—those are easy to avoid since it’s written on the label!
What causes more confusion is everything that’s not so obvious.
The main reason most alcohols aren’t vegan is due to a process called “fining,” where animal-derived proteins are introduced to trap particles in the drink, making it clearer.
Egg whites, fish gelatin, animal gelatin, and even blood are still used for this process today. Wine and its derivatives, like vermouth, are the most commonly fined alcohols.
Another ingredient to watch out for is cochineal carmine, a red dye made from insects, found in drinks like Campari.
So how do you navigate vegan and non-vegan alcohol?
For this article, I emailed many distilleries, asking if they use animal products in their production. I’ve compiled a list of vegan brands for you.
Otherwise, the best resource is Barnivore.com, which lists vegan-friendly alcohol. It’s especially useful for large industrial brands. For local distilleries or small winemakers, I recommend emailing them directly to ask!
•Rums
France micro-distillation: Distillerie de Paris, Bouquet (Distillerie C’est Nous), Barcelo Organic
France industrial: Rhum Charrette, Vieux Dillon, Havana Club
Quebec micro-distillation: Rosemont, Morbleu Distillerie Mariana, Sainte-Marie, Acérum (Distillerie Shefford, made from maple)
Quebec industrial: Havana Club, Kraken, Diplomatico
•Gins
France micro-distillation: Distillerie de Paris, Distillerie C’est Nous, Distillerie d’Isle-de-France, Citadelle
France industrial: Bombay Sapphire, Hendrick’s
Quebec micro-distillation: Distillerie Saint-Laurent, Noroi, Distillerie Mariana, Rosemont, Absintherie des Cantons, BleuRoyal
Quebec industrial: Bombay Sapphire, Gordon’s, Hendrick’s
•Tequilas
I haven’t found any non-vegan tequila, so you can generally buy with confidence!
•Whiskies
France micro-distillation: Les whiskies Armorik, National 10, BM Signature, Distillerie de Strasbourg
France industrial: Jack Daniel’s, Aberlour, Scotch William Peel, Jameson Irish Whiskey, Brenne
Quebec micro-distillation: Sivo, Saint-Laurent, Cirka, Tomahawk (maple whiskey from Distillerie Shefford), Rosemont
Quebec industrial: Dillon’s Rye, Bowmore, Canadian Club
•Vodkas
France micro-distillation: Remyx Vodka, Distillerie de Strasbourg
France industrial: Cîroc, Absolut Vodka, Grey Goose, Eristoff, Poliakov
Quebec micro-distillation: Noroi, Vodka d’érable Distillerie Shefford, Rosemont, Distillerie Fils du Roy, MVodka, Mission Kosmos
Quebec industrial: Dillon’s Vodka, Grey Goose, Absolut Vodka, Cîroc
•Liqueurs, Creams, Bitters, Vermouths
France micro-distillation:
Maison Giffard (several liqueurs and creams)
Maison Héritier-Guyot (crème de cassis, amaretto, triple sec, and more)
Distillerie Combier (various liqueurs, creams, and anise drinks)
France industrial: Cointreau, Grand Marnier, Aperol, Get 27, Jägermeister, Pastis Ricard, Angostura Bitter, Chartreuse verte, Soho, Lejay Lagoute (cassis products), Lillet, Vermouth Dolin
Quebec micro-distillation:
Noroi (orange and maple liqueur, apéritivo)
Les Spiritueux d’Iberville (various bitters)
Distillerie Mariana (Amaretto Avril, citrus liqueur)
Rosemont (pastis, elderflower liqueur, orange bitters)
Distillerie Artist in Residence (Amaretto and other liqueurs)
3 Lacs (Limoncello)
Entre Pierre et Terre (apple vermouth)
Vermouths Val Caudalies
Quebec industrial: Dillon’s Bitters, Pastis Ricard, Grand Marnier, Cointreau, Angostura Bitter, Luxardo (amaretto, limoncello, and bitters), Soho, Cassis Monna & Filles, Vermouth Maidenii, Lillet, Baileys vegan almond