| updated
10/08/09
This list should not be used after December 31, 2009, at which time it will be reviewed and re-issued.
Beer, Bourbon, Brandy & Cognac, Gin, Liqueurs, Rum, Rye,
Scotch, Tequila, Vermouth, Vodka, Whiskey, Wine
Bar Stock Items, Drink Mixes, Juices
WE DO NOT HAVE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ON ANY DRINK OR LIQUOR NOT LISTED ON THIS WEBSITE.
Approved products are not kosher for Passover unless noted as such on the individual label.
PLEASE NOTE: Not all energy drinks and alcoholic beverages such as certain lemonades are certified kosher.
Note: Consumer should be careful to purchase all liquor from a store that either sold their chometz or is owned by a non-Jew.
Unflavored Beers
All unflavored beers, domestic and imported, with no additives listed on the ingredient label are acceptable, even without a Kosher certification. This applies to both USA and imported beers, including non-alcoholic and dark beers.
Many breweries are coming out with specialty brews that have additives; don't assume that all varieties are acceptable - check the label.
Miller flavored beers (such as Lime) are NOT certified Kosher!
Mackeson Triple Stout Beer is not recommended due to the additives and its dairy ingredients!
Flavored Beers
The following flavored beers are currently certified Kosher (under the Vaad of Greater Detroit - even without a hechsher on the product).
Saranac |
all products |
Brooklyn Brewery |
all are under Vaad with the exception of "local 1" Brand |
Pete's Brewing |
all products |
Matt Brewing |
all products |
The following beers from Samuel Adams, The Boston Beer Company, are Star-K Kosher/Pareve, even without the Star-K on the label.
Black Lager Boston Ale Boston Lager Brown Ale Cherry Wheat
Cranberry Lambic Cream Stout Double Bock Hefeweizen Holiday Porter
Light Octoberfest Old Fezziwig Pale Ale
Spring Ale Summer Ale White Ale Winter Lager
The following beers are under the supervision of the Kosher Australia Party, even without any kosher marking on the label:
-
Coopers Sparkling Ale
-
Coopers Best Extra Stout
-
Coopers Special Old Stout
-
Coopers Premium Lager
-
Coopers Extra Strong Vintage Ale
-
All varieties of Homebrew kits
Straight Bourbon (Sour Mash is a variety of Bourbon) is acceptable.
Some examples of Bourbons are:
| Bookers |
Maker’s Mark |
Basil Hayden |
Old Crow |
Bakers |
Old Granddad |
Knob Creek |
Old Weller |
Jack Daniel’s |
Wild Turkey |
Jim Beam |
|
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All brandy and cognac require certification since both are made from wine.
Some Kosher Brandies:
| Boukha Fig (OU) |
Spirit of Solomon (Hisachdus-CRC) |
| Carmel (OU) |
Tishbi (OU) |
| Herzog (OU) |
|
Gin with no flavors added is acceptable.
(Note: Sloe Gin is a liqueur and requires certification.)
Bombay Brand Sapphire Gin is currently being reviewed for possible kashrus issues and is not recommended until further notice.
Gordon's Flavored Gin (all flavors) produced in the USA, is Kosher certified by the cRc.
Liqueurs
Liqueurs generally have lower alcohol content and are, by definition, flavored drinks. Sometimes a liqueur is referred to as an aperitif or cordial.
All liqueurs require certification.
Brands that bear certification on the label and may be used:
Check the labels of each bottle and each flavor for the indicated certification. Some flavors from the sources listed below may be Dairy and will have a D next to the kosher symbol.
| Amaretto Disaronno (OU) |
Kedem (OU) |
| Bartenura (OU) |
Leroux (OU) |
| Carmel (OU) |
Kahlua Liquor only with OU |
| Honkes (MK - Montreal) |
Monfort (OU) |
| Frangelico (OU) |
Peter Cherry Heering (OU) |
| Starbucks OU even without designation on the bottle. White Chocolate is Dairy |
Cointreau |
| Godiva (OU) - White Chocolate, Milk Chocolate & Caramel are Dairy |
Sabra (OU) |
Not Recommended Liqueurs:
| Bailey’s Irish Cream |
Ouzo |
| B&B Liqueur |
Sambuca |
| Benedictine |
Southern Comfort |
| Gold Schlager |
Kirschwasser |
| Grand Marnier |
Llord’s (without hashgacha) |
| |
Tia Maria |
| |
Yukon Jack |
| |
|
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Rum
Rum generally requires certification.
Bacardi (unflavored varieties) is acceptable without a kosher symbol on the label.
Don Q Rum (including flavored) only with OU
Rye
No certification required.
Sake
Only recommended when bearing a reliable Kosher symbol.
Sensei brand sake is kosher when bearing an OU on the label.
Scotch
The following list contains several brands of Scotch that have been researched and found to be acceptable.
Please make sure to take note of the vintage or special variety listed as not all types under a particular label are recommended.
This list is a work in progress and will be updated as more information becomes available. Only those varieties of Scotch that were found to be recommended will be posted. The criteria used to establish this list was to check the label and packaging of each particular brand, type and vintage and ascertain that it was not produced using any possible questionable methods. Some questionable methods include scotch aged in wine casks such as sherry or port, dual casks, French casks or European casks.
Updated 01-02-09
ABERFELDY (DEWAR'S) |
12 YEAR OLD |
ABERFELDY (DEWAR'S) |
15 YEAR OLD |
ARDBEG |
10 YEAR OLD |
ARDBEG |
1990 - AIRIGH NAM BEIST |
ARRAN |
10 YEAR OLD NON-CHILL FILTERED |
ARRAN |
BOURBON SINGLE CASK |
AUCHENTOSHAN |
BOURBON CASK 16 YEAR OLD |
AUCHENTOSHAN |
21 YEAR OLD |
BALLANTINES |
12 YEAR OLD- blended |
BALVENIE |
15 YEAR OLD SINGLE BARREL |
BEN RIACH |
12 YEAR OLD |
BEN RIACH |
10 YEAR OLD |
BENROMACH |
TRADITIONAL |
BENROMACH |
ORGANIC |
BENROMACH |
7 YEAR OLD - 1999 |
BLACK BOTTLE |
10 YEAR OLD |
BLACK BOTTLE |
5 YEAR OLD |
BOWMORE |
18 YEAR OLD |
BOWMORE |
1989 CASK STRENGTH -16 YEAR OLD |
BUNNAHABHAIN |
12 YEAR OLD |
BUNNAHABHAIN |
18 YEAR OLD |
CAOL ILA |
12 YEAR OLD |
CHIVAS REGAL |
12 YEAR OLD |
CHIVAS REGAL |
18 YEAR OLD |
CHIVAS REGAL |
ROYAL SALUTE - 21 YEAR OLD |
CLYNELISH |
14 YEAR OLD |
CRAGGANMORE |
10 YEAR OLD |
CRAGGANMORE |
12 YEAR OLD |
CUTTY SARK |
ORIGINAL SCOTS |
DALMORE |
12 YEAR OLD |
DALWHINNIE |
15 YEAR OLD |
DEWARS |
12 YEAR OLD |
DEWARS |
SIGNATURE |
DEWARS |
WHITE LABEL |
DIMPLE |
PINCH - 15 YEAR OLD |
ELLENSTOWN |
10 YEAR OLD |
FAMOUS GROUSE |
BLENDED SCOTCH |
GLEN MORAY |
12 YEAR OLD |
GLEN MORAY |
15 YEAR OLD |
GLENCADAM |
15 YEAR OLD |
GLENDULLAN |
CENTENARY |
GLENFARCLAS |
10 YEAR OLD |
GLENFIDDICH |
SPECIAL RESERVE 12 YEAR OLD |
GLENFIDDICH |
CAORAN RESERVE - 12 YEAR OLD |
GLENLIVET |
12 YEAR OLD |
GLENLIVET |
18 YEAR OLD |
GLENLIVET |
NADURRA |
GLENMORANGIE |
10 YEAR OLD |
ISLE OF JURA |
10 YEAR OLD |
ISLE OF JURA |
16 YEAR OLD |
J & B |
RARE |
JOHN BARR |
RED, BLACK, BLUE - BLENDED |
JOHNNIE WALKER |
RED LABEL |
JOHNNIE WALKER |
BLACK LABEL |
JOHNNIE WALKER |
GOLD LABEL |
JOHNNIE WALKER |
BLUE - KING GEORGE V |
JOHNNIE WALKER |
SWING |
JOHNNIE WALKER |
BLUE LABEL |
JOHNNIE WALKER |
GREEN LABEL |
KING'S CREST |
25 YEAR OLD |
LAGAVULIN |
16 YEAR OLD |
LAPHROAIG |
10 YEAR OLD |
LAPHROAIG |
CASK STRENGTH 10 YEAR OLD |
LAPHROAIG |
15 YEAR OLD |
LISMORE |
SINGLE MALT - NO AGE DECLARATION |
LONGROW |
10 YEAR OLD |
MILFORD |
NEW ZEALAND - 10 YEAR OLD |
OBAN |
14 YEAR OLD |
OLD FETTERCAIRN |
STILLMAN'S DRAM 26 YEAR OLD |
PROVENANCE |
20 YEAR OLD |
SCAPA |
14 YEAR OLD |
SPEYBURN |
10 YEAR OLD |
SPEYSIDE |
12 YEAR OLD |
STRATHISLA |
12 YEAR OLD |
TALISKER |
10 YEAR OLD |
TOMINTOUL |
PEATY TANG - SPEYSIDE GLENLIVET |
TOMINTOUL |
16 YEAR OLD |
TULLIBARDINE |
1993 DISTILLATION |
|
Soju (Korean liquor)
Only recommended when bearing a reliable kosher symbol.
Tequila
Tequila is made from the agave cactus in Mexico.
According to Mexican law any tequila may be labeled 100% agave even though it contains no more than 51% actual agave alcohol!
However, based on research, the cRc has identified one type of tequila which is recommended even without a hechsher (Regular-White).
There are three types of tequila on the market:
1) Regular-White (also known as Silver) tequila is recommended. This clear tequila contains either 100% agave or a mixture of agave and sugar cane.
2) Gold-Brown tequila is not recommended without a reliable hashgacha. This darker tequila is aged for 3 months and may have color and flavoring added.
3) Reposado (“rested” ) (also known as Special) tequila is not recommended without a reliable hashgacha. It is aged for 6 months and in addition to concerns of color and flavoring, glycerin may be added for density.
Some acceptable Tequila brands:
| Don Bernardo G (with OU) |
Salusa |
| |
Sol Dios Anejo (with OU) |
| Herrudura |
Sol Dios Platinum / Blanco (with OU) |
| Agave 99 (with OU) |
El Diamante Del Cielo (with OU) |
| Stallion (with OU) |
Tonala (with OU) |
Vermouth
Vermouth requires certification since it is made from wine.
Kedem is the only brand readily available with a kosher symbol.
Vodka
All Domestic (USA only) non-flavored vodka is acceptable.
Important: This applies only to grain or potato vodka. Some vodkas are made with grapes, and would need a reliable hashgacha.
Imported vodka requires certification.
The following unflavored imported vodkas are acceptable imports even without certification on the label:
| Absolut |
Kettle One |
| Belvedere |
Provda (now has OU) |
| Chopin |
Stolichnaya - (see below for flavored) |
| Finlandia |
Vox |
| Iceberg (now has OU) |
|
Grey Goose
Yevreyskaya |
Three Olives (from England)
|
Imperial Collection
Super Premium - Super Premium Soft - Super Premium Strong 100
Absolut Flavored Vodka Is now acceptable only with OU
Putinka Vodka both Pepper flavor and Limited Edition are kosher even without certification on the label.
Gordon Vodkas
The following varieties are cRc certified even without certification on the label:
| Citrus Flavored |
Wild Berry |
| Orange |
|
Stolichnaya Vodkas:
The following varieties are acceptable, with OU on the label:
| Cinnamon Flavored |
Orange Flavored |
| Coffee Flavored |
Peach Flavored |
| Gold Premium Imported Russian |
Raspberry Flavored |
| Imported Russian |
Strawberry Flavored |
| Lemon Flavored |
Vanilla Flavored |
Smirnoff
Vodkas:
Blue Label
Red Label
Silver label
The following Smirnoff products are acceptable, with KSA on the label:
Vodka Twists / Flavors
Black Cherry
Blueberry
Citrus
Cranberry
Green Apple
Lime
Orange
Raspberry
Vanilla
Strawberry Acai is NOT kosher!
Smirnoff Ice:
Arctic Berry
Green Apple
Pomegranate Fusion
Raspberry Burst
Watermelon
Wild Grape
Non -flavored Smirnoff Ice including the Smirnoff Ice and Smirnoff Ice Triple Black contain grape and are not certified Kosher.
Smirnoff Raw Tea:
Green
Lemon
Raspberry
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Whiskey (including Canadian, Irish, Ryes)
Any whiskey, including Irish Whiskey, that is aged in a wine cask, such as Sherry or Port, or aged in dual casks, European casks or French casks should be avoided as it is uncertain if these are kosher.
Blended Whiskeys are acceptable only with certification, unless appearing on the list below:
| |
| Canadian – Canadian Club (regular only - not Classic, Premium or Special Reserve) |
| Canadian Mist |
| Crown Royal Original Only- the cRc does not have information on the new Sherry cask version |
| Gibsons (MK on label) |
| |
| Seagram’s (VO and 7 Canadian Blend only, not American Blend) |
| Wiser’s |
Wines
All wines served at a cRc event, regardless of the location, host or caterer must bear acceptable certification and must be mevushal.
Check bottles for an acceptable certification and a statement that the wine is mevushal. Many Israeli and French wines are not mevushal, so care must be exercised. If there is no indication if the wine is mevushal or non-mevushal it usually means that it is non- mevushal!
Carmel Wines from Israel must bear the OU on the label; some wines produced during the shmita year will not have the OU on the label.
Alfasi wine, from Chile, is under the OK certification but not all are mevushal. Each label should be checked.
Bar Stock Items
Any bar equipment (strainers, shot measures, blenders, stir rods, shakers, etc.) used with non-kosher products should be properly kashered prior to use for a kosher affair.
Olives - green olives require certification, Domestic Black Olives packed in water, with no added flavors or colors are acceptable without certification on the label.
Pearl Onions - are pickled and require certification
Lemon and Lime - fresh lemon and limes used for slices, wedges and twists must be prepared using a kosher knife and on a kosher cutting board.
All Tabasco brand hot pepper sauce is acceptable as long as it bears a "K".
Maraschino Cherries - only with acceptable certification
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Drink Mixes
All Drink Mixes requires certification.
Some brands available that are acceptable:
| Coco Lopez (only when bearing OU) |
| Goya brand Cream of Coconut - Although in the past, we have accepted product from Dominican Republic, future purchases should only be made of products bearing a reliable hashgacha. |
| Goya brand Coconut Milk –Although in the past, we have accepted product from Dominican Republic, future purchases should only be made of products bearing a reliable hashgacha. |
| Holland House ( only when bearing OU) |
| Jamaica John (only when bearing OU) |
| Jero (only when bearing OK) |
| Mr & Mrs T’s ( only when bearing OU) |
| Rose’s – grenadine and lime (only when bearing OU)l |
| Daily's - (Only when bearing OU) |
Juices
Require certification.
Ready-to-drink juices are made in factories that produce a wide range of products, mostly with hot production. There are issues of dairy and non-kosher utensils.
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