Is Aperol Gluten-Free? – A Celiac Weighs In!
Yes, Aperol is gluten free. Aperol’s ingredients and nutrition FAQ says it’s suitable for coeliacs, contains no gluten and isn’t made on shared equipment, and Coeliac UK’s guide to gluten-free alcohol lists liqueurs, wine and spirits as safe. A classic Aperol Spritz (Aperol, prosecco and soda water) is gluten free too. Don’t drink? There are gluten-free alcohol-free options further down.
The only catch is anything extra that goes in the glass. More on that below.
Last checked: September 2026, against Aperol’s official FAQ and Coeliac UK’s alcohol guidance.
My Journey of Finding Safe Alcoholic Beverages
Aperol used to be my summer treat. After going gluten free, a spritz in the sun was one I enjoyed, and one of the easier drinks to check.
These days I don’t drink it at all. I started cutting back on alcohol towards the end of 2024, and by December 2025 I’d stopped completely. I haven’t had a drop since. So this post comes from both sides of the bar: someone who’s enjoyed his share of spritzes, and someone who now goes looking for the alcohol-free version and finds the gluten-free options surprisingly thin.
After my diagnosis in 2021, drinks were one more thing to relearn. Beer is the big loss for most of us. Standard beers, lagers and ales are made from barley and aren’t safe unless they’re labelled gluten free. Plenty else is fine, but “plenty else” isn’t much help when you’re stood at a bar trying to decide in ten seconds.
So here’s the quick version I wish I’d had. Coeliac UK’s alcohol guidance says cider, wine, sherry, spirits, port and liqueurs are gluten free. Distillation removes gluten, which is why even whisky made from barley is safe. Aperol falls into the liqueur camp.
The night cocktails caught me out
A few years ago I was out on the cocktails and ended up with severe stomach cramps afterwards. I felt horrendous.
I can’t tell you for sure what did it. It could have been gluten sneaking in through a mixer or a syrup. It could just as easily have been my IBS reacting to a night of alcohol, fizz and sugar. The NHS diet and lifestyle advice for IBS says not to drink lots of alcohol or fizzy drinks, and a round of cocktails is basically both at once. When you’ve got coeliac disease and IBS, a bad night doesn’t always come with a clear culprit.
That’s why I’d rather know exactly what’s in my glass. Aperol makes that easy. A lot of cocktails don’t.
What Exactly is Aperol?
Aperol is an Italian aperitif: bright orange, bittersweet, with a strong orange flavour and a herby, slightly bitter finish. The exact recipe is a secret. Aperol’s UK site only says it’s an infusion of herbs and roots. It’s 11% ABV, which is lighter than most spirits and about the same as a glass of wine.
Most people know it from the Aperol Spritz. The official Aperol Spritz recipe is the 3-2-1: three parts prosecco, two parts Aperol, a splash of soda water, lots of ice and a slice of orange.
The Verdict: Yes, Aperol is Gluten-Free!
Aperol says it plainly in its ingredients and nutrition FAQ: “Aperol is suitable for celiacs and those who are gluten intolerant. It does not contain gluten, nor is it manufactured on any shared equipment.”
That last part matters. “No gluten ingredients” and “no shared equipment” are two different promises, and not every brand makes both. Aperol does.
Then the rest of the spritz:
| In the glass | Gluten free? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Aperol | Yes | Aperol’s own statement (no gluten, no shared equipment) |
| Prosecco | Yes | It’s a wine, and Coeliac UK lists wine as gluten free |
| Soda water | Yes | Carbonated water, nothing else |
| Orange slice and ice | Yes | Naturally gluten free |
So a spritz made the standard way is a safe bet.
Other Precautions Around Aperol for Gluten-Free Diets
Aperol itself is the easy bit. What changes things is whatever gets added.
- House twists. Cocktail bars love a spin on the spritz: flavoured syrups, liqueurs, a splash of beer or a “signature” mixer. Most will be fine, but you won’t know unless you ask what’s in it.
- Ready-to-drink cans. Aperol now sells a canned spritz in the UK (it’s announced on Aperol’s UK site as Aperol Spritz to Go). Aperol’s gluten statement covers the bottle, so check the allergen information on the can rather than assuming it’s identical.
- Bar snacks. The drink is rarely the problem. The bowl of crisps or the breadsticks that come with it often are.
Is an Aperol Spritz OK if you have IBS?
It’s gluten free, but that’s a separate question from whether your gut will like it. A spritz is alcohol plus two lots of bubbles (prosecco and soda), and the NHS’s guidance on managing IBS lists both alcohol and fizzy drinks as things to go easy on. One might be fine. A few in the sun is a different story. Everyone’s triggers are different, so if you’re working through them, a dietitian is the person to ask.
If you react to “gluten free” drinks, or you’re unsure whether something is safe for you, speak to your GP or dietitian rather than guessing. Coeliac UK’s guidance is a good starting point, but it isn’t personal advice.
Plenty of Gluten-Free Cocktails Beyond Just Aperol
Because spirits, wine and liqueurs are all gluten free, most classic cocktails are fine as long as the mixers are. A few that are covered on the site:
- Gin and tonic: gin is distilled, so it’s safe. Plain tonic is usually fine, but check flavoured ones. More in is gin and tonic gluten free?
- Espresso martini: vodka, coffee liqueur and espresso are all gluten free. Check any flavoured syrups a bar adds. See what’s in an espresso martini and what to check.
- Anything with tequila, such as a margarita or a paloma. I’ve explained why tequila is gluten free separately.
The one that catches people out is “gluten friendly” on a menu. It doesn’t mean gluten free, and it’s worth knowing the difference between gluten friendly and gluten free before you order.
Alcohol-free spritz options
Since I stopped drinking, this is the bit I actually care about. There’s no official alcohol-free Aperol, but the bitter orange spritz is easy enough to copy:
- Crodino. An Italian non-alcoholic aperitivo. Crodino’s FAQ says it “does not contain gluten” and “does not contain allergens”, and it’s vegan. It comes in little bottles you can drink over ice or top with soda and orange. It’s the easiest swap to find, and some UK supermarkets stock it.
- Lyre’s Italian Spritz. A non-alcoholic spirit (under 0.3%) made to stand in for the bitter orange part, topped up with soda or an alcohol-free sparkling wine. Lyre’s Italian Spritz product page doesn’t give gluten information, so check the label before you buy.
- Alcohol-free “prosecco”. Plenty of brands make one, but gluten information varies. Check the label rather than assuming it’s the same as the real thing.
Gluten free AND alcohol free beer: harder to find than it should be
What I’d really like at the pub is a beer that’s gluten free and alcohol free. It shouldn’t be a big ask. In my experience, though, bars, pubs and restaurants almost always have one or the other. A gluten-free lager, or an alcohol-free one. Rarely both.
They do exist. Adnams’ Ghost Ship Alcohol Free cans are under 0.5% and labelled gluten free, which means 20 parts per million or less. Specialist shops have whole ranges too, like Wise Bartender’s gluten-free alcohol-free beers. For now, buying them in and drinking them at home is easier than finding them on a night out. If your local has an alcohol-free fridge, it’s worth asking whether any of them are gluten free too. The more of us who ask, the more likely they are to stock one.
Is Aperol Gluten-Free? – Final Thoughts
Aperol covers both bases: no gluten, and no shared equipment either. Order the classic 3-2-1 and you can relax. Order the bartender’s special and ask one question first. And if, like me, you’ve swapped the prosecco for something alcohol free, a Crodino and soda gets you most of the way there.
Further Reading
| Article | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Is Gin and Tonic Gluten Free? | Gin, tonic and the mixers to watch |
| Are Espresso Martinis Gluten Free? | What’s in one and what a bar might add |
| Is Tequila Gluten Free? | Why distilled agave spirits are safe |
| Does “Gluten Friendly” Mean Gluten Free? | The menu wording that catches people out |
| Is Maoam Gluten Free? | Which Maoam sweets are safe in the UK |
| Does Heat Destroy Gluten? | A common myth, explained |
Disclaimer: This content is based on my personal experience as an individual diagnosed with celiac disease and IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) who follows a strict gluten-free diet. This does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a medical professional, nutritionist, or qualified dietitian for personalized, professional advice.
