As parents, we would never question whether kids should drink vodka (or any alcohol, for that matter). But the cooks among us might still wonder about vodka sauce, which is a delicious pink sauce that pairs well with pasta, made primarily with crushed tomatoes, cream, and a very small amount of vodka to sweeten the flavor. Traditional wisdom tells us most of the alcohol cooks off due to the heat used in preparing the sauce — after all, do you recall ever feeling tipsy after chowing down on a bowl of penne with vodka sauce?
Still, when it comes to kids, we couldn't help but question whether you can ever be too careful with serving them a sauce prepared with alcohol. We reached out to a few experts to find out if we'd be better off fixing a simple tomato sauce on the side for the kids, or if vodka sauce is OK for the littles when consumed in moderation.
The general consensus was that a vodka pasta sauce should be safe for children, if cooked thoroughly. "Traditional vodka sauce uses such a small amount of alcohol that it should evaporate out during cooking," Dr. Rachel Prete, pediatrician with Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, told POPSUGAR.
Laura Yudys, MS, RD, LDN, clinical nutrition manager at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital, notes there are different schools of thought on how much time you should heat your sauce to "fully 'cook off' the alcohol content." But typically the small amount of vodka used — one or two tablespoons of vodka for four to five servings of sauce — plus the cooking process "means the amount [of alcohol] present in a normal serving should be negligible." She also advises that "most commercially prepared sauces go through a cooking and canning process that should decrease the content significantly — if not entirely."
Prete advises that parents who have any doubts to speak to their pediatrician first before serving kids vodka sauce. Meanwhile, Ilan Shapiro, MD, FAAP with AltaMed Health Services, recognizes that, "as a rule, we do not want to expose a child whose body is developing to any alcohol. The same goes for pregnant women, as there is no 'safe amount' that is recommended." But Shapiro adds, "it would be extremely rare if [kids] have symptoms of intoxication or long-term development problems" after ingesting a very small amount of alcohol in vodka sauce. Still, to be safe, Shapiro notes you could make a vodka sauce that substitutes the alcohol with another ingredient and still get a similar taste — lemon juice is one popular option.
FAQs
Melissa Willets at POPSUGAR reports that according to Dr. Rachel Prete, a pediatrician with Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, pasta alla vodka is safe for children to consume because "traditional vodka sauce uses such a small amount of alcohol that it should evaporate out during cooking."
Can kids eat food with vodka in I? ›
It's best not to give your baby any food that's been prepared with spirits or liqueurs. This is because these drinks have a higher alcohol by volume (ABV) content than wine, cider or beer. If you prefer, you could substitute the alcohol without losing too much flavour.
Does alcohol cook out of vodka sauce? ›
Yes, vodka sauce does contain alcohol. But while vodka is a key ingredient in vodka sauce, it is not meant to be the star of the show. The amount of vodka used in a typical vodka sauce recipe is relatively small, and most, if not all, of the alcohol cooks off during the cooking process, leaving behind only the flavor.
Can kids have pasta sauce with wine in it? ›
The choice is up to you
You may choose to use cooking methods that help to reduce the alcohol content and use less alcohol in a dish to make it safer for your child. Otherwise the safer option is to choose to leave out alcoholic drinks when preparing food for babies and children.
Can kids eat food cooked with alcohol? ›
The concerns are not just for acute intoxication and overdose, but also neurophysiological risks that can come with lesser amounts of alcohol—sleep disturbances, confusion, unsteady walking, for example." "The only way to be 100 percent safe is to avoid cooking [food for children] with alcohol," says Dr. Roman.
Is there alcohol in classico vodka sauce? ›
The alcohol used in preparation is completely cooked out and helps to maintain the creamy consistency and creates a unique flavor blend.
How long does it take for alcohol to cook out of sauce? ›
It usually takes around 2 to 3 hours for the alcohol to evaporate completely when added to a dish that is cooking on a low heat. When cooking at high heat, e.g. frying or sautéing, it can take as little as 30 seconds for the alcohol to evaporate.
Will vodka sauce show up on a breathalyzer? ›
While the amounts of alcohol in these foods, drinks, or medications are not enough to impair your driving, the alcohol content can be high enough to cause a test failure. These can include: Rum cake. Pasta with vodka sauce.
Can you eat jarred vodka sauce when pregnant? ›
Dishes with sauces made with alcohol – e.g. pasta (or penne) a la vodka, white or red wine sauce or gravy, chocolate sauces with rum, brandy, etc. are usually low on alcohol, and serving sizes are small. They're all safe to eat in moderation, in pregnancy.
Does slow cooking remove alcohol? ›
Raw alcohol will evaporate at 78 C, importantly even with conventional cooking techniques, not all the alcohol will burn off. When using a slow cooker the internal temperature may only just get to this important temperature, and because of the lid any alcohol that does evaporate will return back into the cooker.
Alcohol does partially evaporate during cooking, but not as much as you might think. Depending on the cooking method and how much alcohol is used, anywhere from 4 to 85 percent of the alcohol may remain. After 15 minutes of cooking, about 40 percent of the alcohol remains.
Can toddlers eat pasta sauce? ›
Many of the sauces that you find in the supermarket can often be quite high in salt and sugar, and might not be ideal for young babies. As with everything, they can be useful for convenience and it's fine to use them every now and then.
Is drunken chicken safe for kids? ›
Is there alcohol in drunken chicken? While there is Shaoxing wine in drunken chicken, it's not going to be enough to get you tipsy, AND it's also perfectly safe for kids to enjoy!
Does pasta alla vodka have alcohol? ›
Is penne alla vodka alcoholic? Technically yes, since we are adding alcohol. However, we are going to cook off most of that alcohol (if not all), and the final dish will have very little left once divided among 6 portions. No one will be getting tipsy from pasta alla vodka!
Is there alcohol in vodka? ›
Since the 1890s, standard vodkas have been 40% alcohol by volume (ABV) (80 U.S. proof). The European Union has established a minimum alcohol content of 37.5% for vodka. Vodka in the United States must have a minimum alcohol content of 40%.
Does Bertolli vodka sauce have alcohol in it? ›
Tomato Puree (Water, Tomato Paste), Diced Tomatoes in Juice (Diced Tomatoes, Tomato Juice, Citric Acid, Calcium Chloride), Light Cream, Onions, Vodka, Parmesan Cheese (Pasteurized Part-skim Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes), Salt, Olive Oil, Romano Cheese Made from Cow's Milk (Pasteurized Part-skim Milk, Cheese ...
