Gluten-Free Spirits for National Happy Hour Day: Tequila, Rum, and More

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National Happy Hour Day is a special day dedicated to taking a break from the daily grind and enjoying some quality time with friends and family over drinks and snacks. This year, the day falls on November 12th, and what better way to celebrate than with some gluten-free spirits? Let’s talk about finding suitable spirits. There are actually plenty of gluten-free options available, and they’re just as delicious as their gluten-containing counterparts.

One popular naturally gluten-free spirit is tequila. Made from the agave plant, tequila is naturally gluten-free and can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, from sipping it neat to mixing it into a margarita. Another great option is rum, which is made from sugarcane and is also naturally gluten-free in its pure state.

When it comes to enjoying these spirits during happy hour, there are plenty of gluten-free mixers and snacks to pair them with. Opt for fresh fruit juices, sparkling water, or tonic water to create delicious cocktails, and choose gluten-free snacks like nuts, cheese, and olives to munch on.

A note about the distillation process: All distilled alcohols are gluten-free regardless of what ingredients they come from. For a more detailed read on that process click here. Where it becomes tricky is with fermentation and ADDED FLAVORS. If however, you would feel more comfortable only drinking alcoholic beverages that come from gluten-free materials, know that there are whiskeys for example, that are made with sorghum or corn and gin and vodka made from potato’s, corn or rice. Your best bet is to always look for ones that are GFCO-certified gluten-free.

So however you choose to partake, and whichever your pleasure, raise a glass to National Happy Hour Day, and enjoy some gluten-free spirits with your loved ones. Cheers

 

Grapefruit Tequila Cocktail:

Ingredients:

  1. 2 oz. tequila

  2. 1 oz. fresh grapefruit juice

  3. 1 oz. lime juice

  4. 1 oz. agave nectar

  5. Salt for rimming the glass

Instructions:

  1. Rim a glass with salt.

  2. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and agave nectar.

  3. Shake well and strain into the salt-rimmed glass.

  4. Garnish with a slice of grapefruit and enjoy!

 

Raspberry Mojito:

Ingredients:

  1. 2 oz. white rum

  2. 1 oz. raspberry syrup

  3. 1 oz. lime juice

  4. 6-8 fresh mint leaves

  5. Club soda

Instructions:

  1. In a mixing glass, muddle mint leaves with raspberry syrup and lime juice.

  2. Add white rum and shake it well.

  3. Strain into a glass filled with ice.

  4. Top with club soda and garnish with fresh raspberries and mint.

 

Spicy Margarita:

Ingredients:

  1. 2 oz. tequila

  2. 1 oz. lime juice

  3. 1 oz. orange juice

  4. 1/2 oz. agave nectar

  5. 1/2 jalapeño pepper, sliced

  6. Salt for rimming the glass

Instructions:

  1. Rim a glass with salt.

  2. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine tequila, lime juice, orange juice, agave nectar, and jalapeño slices.

  3. Shake well and strain into the salt-rimmed glass.

  4. Garnish with a slice of jalapeño and enjoy the heat!

 

Holiday Vodka Cran Lime:

Ingredients:

  1. 1 1/2 oz gluten-free vodka

  2. 1 oz cranberry juice

  3. 1/2 oz lime juice

  4. 1/2 oz triple sec

  5. 1/4 oz simple syrup

  6. Rosemary sprig and cranberries for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.

  2. Add the vodka, cranberry juice, lime juice, triple sec, and simple syrup.

  3. Shake well until the shaker is cold and frosty.

  4. Strain the mixture into a glass filled with ice.

  5. Garnish with a sprig of rosemary and a few cranberries.

  6. Serve and enjoy!