Wine Spritzer

A wine spritzer combines wine with club soda or sparkling water, typically at a 1:1 or 1:2 ratio, which cuts the alcohol content per glass compared with neat wine. This dilution is the main advantage for people with gout: you consume less alcohol and fewer wine-derived purines per serving.

Why alcohol matters

Alcohol is a well-established gout trigger. It increases uric acid production while simultaneously reducing the kidneys' ability to excrete uric acid, leading to a sharp rise in blood urate levels within hours of drinking. While wine contains fewer purines than beer — which is the worst offender for gout — it still poses a meaningful flare risk, especially in multiple glasses.

How to make it safer

Choose plain club soda or sparkling water over sweet mixers. Adding fruit juice, lemonade, or soda reintroduces fructose and added sugars, both of which raise uric acid and undermine the benefit of dilution. A slice of lemon or lime adds flavor without meaningful purine or sugar load.

Practical guidance

Stick to one spritzer in a sitting, sip slowly, and pair it with a glass of water in between. Limit frequency to occasional occasions rather than daily habits, and avoid spritzers during an active flare or when uric acid levels are poorly controlled. Those prone to flares may find even this lighter option risky, so weighing the trade-off is essential.