What makes Alcohol Kosher for Passover?
Some liquors are not kosher for Passover (Pesach) because they may contain ingredients that are chametz (leavened grains). During Passover, Jews are forbidden from consuming or possessing chametz as they are considered leavened or fermented and thus banned.
For example, whiskey is typically made from grains such as barley, rye, or wheat, which are chametz and therefore not allowed during Passover. However, certain liquors made from ingredients, not chametz or kitniyot, may be considered kosher for Passover.
To be considered kosher for Passover, the entire production process of the liquor must be free from chametz, including the equipment and storage facilities used to make and store the liquor. Some kosher certifying agencies also require that the liquor be made under special Passover supervision to ensure it meets these standards.
What Is kitniyot?
The term “Kitniyot” in Hebrew refers to legumes. But, on the occasion of the Passover festival, the definition of “Kitniyot” is expanded to cover grains and seeds like rice, corn, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, and legumes such as peas, beans, and lentils.
Who Eats Kitniyot On Passover?
The consumption of kitniyot on Passover is debated among Jewish communities, and the practice varies among different groups. Sephardic Jews traditionally eat kitniyot during Passover, while Ashkenazi Jews generally avoid kitniyot on passover. However, in recent years, some Ashkenazi Jews have started to consume kitniyot during Passover as well. Ultimately, the decision to consume kitniyot during Passover is a personal or communal choice based on tradition, interpretation of Jewish law, and personal preference.
Some examples of liquors that are not kosher for Passover include:
- Whiskey is typically made from chametz grains such as barley, rye, or wheat.
- Gin is made from grains and may contain other ingredients that are not kosher for Passover.
- Beer is made from grains and is definitely not kosher for Passover.
Some examples of liquors that may be considered kosher for Passover if they are produced under the appropriate standards include:
- Kosher for Passover vodka is made from potatoes or other non-grain ingredients.
- Kosher for Passover tequila is made from the blue agave plant, not chametz or kitniyot.
- Kosher for Passover rum is made from sugar cane, not chametz or kitniyot.
It’s important to note that even within these categories, there may be some specific brands or types of liquor that are not considered kosher for Passover due to particular ingredients or production processes, so it’s always best to consult with a knowledgeable rabbi or kosher certifying agency to determine what liquors are appropriate for Passover.
Here is a kosher list for Passover 2023 by the cRc, including the STAR-K.
Pesach Approved Alcohol
Brandy
Carmel Brandy | Carmel 100 Brandy | OU-P |
Carmel Brandy | Carmel 777 Brandy | OU-P |
De La Rosa Vineyards | Brandy X.O Avraham | Star-S-P |
Herzog French | Boukha Fig Brandy | OU-P |
Jonathan Tishbi | Special Reserve Brandy | OU-P |
Kvint | Divin Kosher Brandy (Mevushal) | OU-P |
Kvint | Kosher Brandy (Mevushal) | OU-P |
Laufer | Vitis Brandy | OK-P |
Sabra Liqueurs | Grand Sabra Orange Brandy | OU-P |
Seven Springs Brandy | Brandy 108 | OU-P |
Seven Springs Brandy | Brandy 96 | OU-P |
Shekar | Kosher Brandy (Mevushal) | OU-P |
Spirit of Solomon | Brandy | OU-P |
The Cave | The Cave Brandy VSOP | OU-P |
Cognac
Dupuy | Cognac VSOP | OU-P |
Dupuy Extra | Cognac | OU-P |
Five Stones Vineyard | Cognac Imperial | OU-P |
Herzog French | Cognac Louis Royer VS | OU-P |
Herzog French | Cognac Louis Royer VSOP | OU-P |
Herzog French | Cognac Louis Royer XO | OU-P |
Lisker X.O | Cognac | OU-P |
Luxus Tentation | Cognac | OU-P |
Gin
Dalton Winery | Gin | OU-P |
Dead Drop | Gin | OU-P |
Levenswater | Spring 34 Premium Gin | OU-P |
Liqueur
Armon Brandy | Slivovitz | OU-P |
Barkan Wine Cellars | Askalon-Brandy | OK-P |
Binyamina Liqueur | Assorted Varieties | OU-P |
Blue Mountain | Caribbean Coffee Liqueur | OU-P |
Boukha Bokobsa | Fig Alcohol – Assorted Varieties | OU-P |
De La Rosa Vineyards | Grappa 511 | Star-S-P |
De La Rosa Vineyards | Meiron 36 | Star-S-P |
Gold Shot | Slivovitz Plum Brandy | OU-P |
Gush Etzion Winery | Sour Cherry Liqueur (2006) | OU-P |
Heavens | Classic Chocolate Liqueur | OU-P |
Jelinek | Williams Pear Brandy | OU-P |
Matar Winery | Brandy Apple | OK-P |
Matar Winery | Brandy Majhoul | OK-P |
Morad Wines | Liqueur – Assorted Varieties | OK-P |
Morad Wines | Lychee Wine | OK-P |
Psagot | Cherry Liqueur (Mevushal) | OU-P |
Righteous Road | The Fifth Cup | OU-P |
Righteous Road | The Fifth Cup Barrel Reserve | OU-P |
Sabra Liqueurs | Sabra Coffee | OU-P |
Sabra Liqueurs | Sabra Orange Chocolate | OU-P |
Sukkah Hill Spirits | Besamim Liqueur | Star-K-P |
Sukkah Hill Spirits | Etrog Liqueur | Star-K-P |
Vinprom-Troyan | Apple Brandy | Star-K-P |
Vinprom-Troyan | Apricot Brandy | Star-K-P |
Vinprom-Troyan | Pear Brandy | Star-K-P |
Vinprom-Troyan | Plum Brandy (Slivovitz | Star-K-P |
Mead
Laufer | Apple Mead with Cinnamon | OK-P |
Other
Eagle Oaks | New York State Wish Key | OU-P |
Exodus | Hopped Cider | Star-K-P |
Zachlawi | Arak – Assorted Varieties | OU-P |
Rum
Dead Drop | Dark Rum | OU-P |
Dead Drop | Rum | OU-P |
Vodka
Barkan Wine Cellars | Givon Vodka | OK-P |
Boyar | Vodka | OU-P |
Dead Drop | Vodka | OU-P |
Kedem | Vodka | OU-P |
Lvov | Vodka | OU-P |
Metropolitan Martini Co. | Vodka Martini | OU-P |
Peacock | Vodka | OU-P |
Pravda | Vodka | OU-P |
Sauvage | Upstate Vodka | OK-P |
Shikor | Hot Shot – Vodka with Chili Pepper | OU-P |
Shikor | Vodka infused with Saffron | OU-P |
Vincenzi | Vodka | OU-P |
Yikvei Zion | Lemon Vodka 40% | OU-P |
Yikvei Zion | Vodka 40% | OU-P |
Zachlawi | Chocolate Dream | OU-P |
Zachlawi | Citrus Splash | OU-P |
Zachlawi | Orange Swirl | OU-P |
Zachlawi | Vodka – Assorted Varieties | OU-P |
Here is a kosher list for Passover 2023 Approved by the JSOR
TEQUILA
PATRON SPIRITS MÉXICO. S.A. DE C.V.
- GRAN PATRÓN PLATINUM SILVER TEQUILA
- GRAN PATRON SMOKY SILVER TEQUILA
- PATRON SILVER TEQUILA
- ROCA PATRON SILVER TEQUILA
- TEQUILA 100% DE AGAVE SILVER GRAN
- PATRON PLATINIUM
- TEQUILA 100% DE AGAVE SILVER PATRÓN
- “TEQUILA BLANCO “PATRON”
BROWN FORMAN TEQUILA MEXICO, S. DE R. L.
DE C. V.
- TEQUILA EL JIMADOR BLANCO 100% AGAVE
- TEQUILA HERRADURA BLANCO 100% AGAVE
- TEQUILA ANTIGUO DE HERRADURA BLANCO
100% AGAVE - TEQUILA 100% DON EDUARDO BLANCO
- TEQUILA HACIENDA DEL CRISTERO BLANCO
100% AGAVE - TEQUILA HERRADURA PLATA 100% AGAVE
RIVESCA, S.A. DE C.V.
- TEQUILA CREPUSCULO 750 ML BLANCO
- TEQUILA DON MODESTO 750 ML BLANCO
- TEQUILA DS COMPANY 750 ML BLANCO
- TEQUILA EL BANDEÑO 750 ML BLANCO
- TEQUILA ESTRELLA AZUL 750 ML BLANCO
- TEQUILA GRAN CIERVO JOVEN DE JALISCO
750 ML BLANCO
- TEQUILA HECHICERO 750 ML BLANCO
- TEQUILA TORO DE LIDIA 750 ML BLANCO
- TEQUILA REGALO DE DIOS 750 ML BLANCO
- TEQUILA REJÓN BLANCO 750 ML
- TEQUILA REJÓN BLANCO 1.750L
- TEQUILA REJON BLANCO 100% DE AGAVE 1 L
- TEQUILA REJÓN BLANCO 1L
- TEQUILA RIVESCA 750 ML BLANCO
- TEQUILA TORO DE LIDIA 1,750 ML BLANCO
- TEQUILA TORO DE LIDIA 750 ML BLANCO
MEZCAL
MEZCAL DE AMOR S.A.P.I. DE C.V.
- AMARAS CUPREATA
- AMARÁS ESPADÍN JOVEN
- AMARÁS ESPADÍN REPOSADO
- AMARÁS LOGIA CHUPARROSA
- AMARÁS LOGIA JABALÍ
- AMARÁS LOGIA SACATORO
- AMARÁS LOGIA SIERRA NEGRA
- AMARÁS LOGIA TEPEZTATE
- AMARÁS LOGIA TOBALA
- AMORES CUPREATA
- AMORES ESPADÍN JOVEN
- AMORES ESPADÍN REPOSADO
- AMORES LOGIA SIERRA NEGRA
- AMORES LOGIA TOBALA
- MVM VERDE MOMENTO
- VERDE AMARAS
- VERDE MA
SOTOL
VINOMEX, S.A. DE C.V.
- FIESTA CHIHUAHUA
- SOTOL EXCÉNTRICO REPOSADO
- SOTOL HACIENDA DE CHIHUAHUA AÑEJO
- SOTOL HACIENDA DE CHIHUAHUA AÑEJO ORO
PURO
- SOTOL HACIENDA DE CHIHUAHUA BLANCO, SÍLVER O PLATA
- SOTOL HACIENDA DE CHIHUAHUA H5
- SOTOL HACIENDA DE CHIHUAHUA PLATINUM
- SOTOL HACIENDA DE CHIHUAHUA REPOSADO
- SOTOL HACIENDA DE CHIHUAHUA RÚSTICO
- SOTOL MESH AND BONE
- SOTOL MESTEÑO JOVEN
- SOTOL PUNTAGAVE
Star-K list
18K | Assorted Wines | Star-K-P Required |
Bazelet Hagolan | Assorted Wines | Star-K-P Required |
De La Rosa Vineyards | Brandy | Grappa | Ice Wines | Wines | Star-K-P Required |
Exodus | Hopped Cider | Star-K-P Required |
Katlav Winery Judean Hills | Assorted Wines | Star-K-P Required |
La Perla | Prosecco | Star-K-P Required |
Notte Italiana | Prosecco | Star-K-P Required |
Sukkah Hill Spirits | Besamim Liquor | Desert Rail[1]Oak Aged Cane Spirits | Esrog Liquor | Star-K-P Required |
Val D’Oca | Prosecco | Star-K-P Required |
Vinprom-Troyan | Apple Brandy | Apricot Brandy | Pear Brandy | Plum Brandy | NO P Required |
What does Mevushal mean?
Mevushal wine must be certified as kosher by a recognized certification agency to be considered mevushal and, therefore, kosher. The certification agency will ensure the wine has been produced according to strict kosher standards, including the mevushal process. It will affix a kosher symbol or seal to the bottle to indicate its kosher status. Different kosher certification agencies may have slightly different requirements for mevushal certification, so it’s essential to look for a trusted agency’s specific certification symbol or seal when purchasing mevushal wine. Some well-known kosher certification agencies include the Orthodox Union (OU), the Star-K, and the OK Kosher Certification. It’s worth noting that some people feel that the heating process used to make mevushal wine can affect the flavor and quality of the wine, so they may prefer to drink non-mevushal wine whenever possible.
Does the process of Mevushal change the alcohol levels or purity?
The mevushal process used in wine production does not typically affect the alcohol purity or levels of the wine. The wine is heated to a relatively low temperature (around 185°F or 85°C) for a short time, which is insufficient to alter the alcohol content or purity significantly.
However, some people feel that the heating process can affect the flavor and quality of the wine, particularly for more delicate or complex wines. For this reason, some winemakers may use a flash-pasteurization technique to minimize the impact of the heating process on the wine’s flavor and aroma. Flash-pasteurization involves exposing the wine to a high temperature for a brief period (a few seconds), which can reduce the impact of the heat on the wine’s flavor and quality.
Overall, while the mevushal process may not significantly alter the alcohol levels or purity of the wine, it can impact the wine’s flavor and aroma, which may be a consideration for those who are particularly discerning about their wine.
Is mevushal for all types of alcohol?
The mevushal process is typically used for kosher wine production and is not commonly used for other types of alcohol, such as beer, spirits, or liqueurs. The heating process used in mevushal wine production is specifically designed to make the wine more resistant to ritual impurity, which is a particular concern in the context of Jewish dietary laws.
However, some kosher certification agencies may apply the concept of mevushal to other types of alcohol as well, using different processes to render them kosher. For example, some liqueurs may be heated to a high temperature during production to be considered mevushal and, therefore, kosher.
Ultimately, whether or not mevushal applies to a particular type of alcohol will depend on the specific requirements and standards of the kosher certification agency overseeing the production and certification process.
So anything with chametz is out. Of course, many beloved alcoholic beverages are formed from derivatives of these five grains: beer, most whiskey, and any other alcohol that doesn’t have reliable kosher for Passover certification. As the Orthodox Union states in their 2018 Passover Guide, “Alcohol and other fermented products are subject to additional halachic stringencies because of their strong taste and smell,” so reliable certification is a must for observant consumers.
Anchor Text: 2018 Passover Guide
External Link: https://oukosher.org/passover/passover-guide/
Looking for top-notch kosher liquors for Pesach 2023? Look no further – our curated selection will help you find just what you’re looking for to add that extra flavor to your Passover celebration this year!
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