Who has not been faced with ordering a drink at a meeting, at a conference or on a date in a hotel lobby? And how many of us silently question what we are allowed to have from a kashrut point of view and what we can’t have?
First, we should be aware that glass does not pose any challenge with regard to whether it has been used for kosher or non-kosher drinks. Our question does not pertain to the glass, but to the drinks that are offered and the hidden added ingredients that may be put into the drink.
It may come as surprise, but not all liqueurs are kosher. Therefore, one should only consume liqueurs that bear a reliable kosher certification. In years gone by, many liqueurs were approved without having certification on the bottle. Today, there are composite lists on various kosher certification websites, detailing which lists may be relied upon.
Some liqueurs have wine added to their recipe. Other liqueurs or liquors may have been produced on lines that produce non-kosher products and may contain non-kosher flavours or ingredients. In Halachah, Jewish Law, alcohol is considered a “davar charif,” something sharp that gives off taste, and therefore any equipment that has had alcohol pass through it that is not kosher would certainly make any other ingredient or product (even a kosher one) passing through on the same line non-kosher.
It is generally accepted that all natural, domestic, unflavoured beer without any additives at all is accepted as approved, excluding microbreweries.
There is another important matter to be dealt with when ordering your drink. Your waiter may ask if you would like a slice of lemon or lime in the drink. As these citrus fruits have been cut with a knife that may have been used for something non-kosher, the items should not be used or added to the drink.
To avoid this problem when ordering drinks, one should simply state that no fruit be added to the drink, even if this is placed on the side of the glass. Again, lemon and lime are considered something sharp that gives off taste, and therefore, the taste of the non-kosher knife that may have been used, goes into the lemon, which then goes into the drink.
We are fully aware that wine must have kosher certification and be produced under strict supervision from beginning to end. The production of wine is another discussion that requires a lengthy explanation. In short, as wine was traditionally used for idolatry, our sages implemented the ruling that the only wine that can consumed must be produced under the strictest of conditions. Therefore, non-kosher wine is an absolute no-no.
When asking for a cocktail, one would have to be aware of the flavourings or fruits that might be added to the mix. Plain, unflavoured vodka is acceptable. Flavoured vodkas must bear reliable certification on the bottle. Should vegetables, such as olives, be added, one must ensure that these are kosher and handled with kosher equipment only.
To recap: Check the liquids and solids prior to their being put into the glass. Ensure that the drink is acceptable from a kosher point of view and be aware of the cut up fruit and vegetables. Then relax and enjoy your drink.
