Depending on your location, a large selection of wine, beer, and liquor may be the norm in a grocery store. As a grocery store, you would expect Whole Foods to follow the general trend, and this is generally the case.
Yes, Whole Foods stores typically sell liquor. They may have a separate section of the store dedicated to alcoholic beverages, or they may sell them alongside other groceries. Liquor is only available at Whole Foods if the state you are in allows the sale of liquor outside specialized stores.
Does Whole Foods Sell Liquor?
Let’s talk about what Whole Foods sells. Whole Foods carries a selection of fermented drinks and liquors but has mostly fermented drinks. This means that while the selection of beer, wine, and sake is considerable, your options for liquor will be limited. Some examples of liquor sold at Whole Foods.
- Alcoholic tea
- Premixed margaritas,
- Bitters
- Schnapps
The exact products available will depend on the Whole Foods location.
Can I See What My Whole Foods Sells Online?
Yes, you can check which products are sold in your local whole foods by going to their website. Once there, select your store as the location, and search categories to find products sold near you.
Can Whole Foods Deliver Alcohol?
No, Whole Foods will not deliver alcohol. This is because of local laws in some cases but is usually to limit liability. The process of getting a license to sell alcohol is complex and expensive, and companies face huge fines if they sell to anyone underage.
Delivery is not considered secure enough to guard against potential mistakes, especially since it is common practice to leave a delivery at the door if you don’t receive an answer.
Does Amazon Prime Whole Foods Sell Alcohol?
Yes, you can get alcohol from Amazon Prime, and then pick it up at a Whole Foods location. In some places, you can also have Amazon deliver it to you with their special alcohol delivery service.
Expect the delivery person to need your ID to leave the package with you, as ID checks are frequently automated, and can not be bypassed by individuals.
The Difference Between Alcoholic Beverages and Liquor
Much like a square is a rectangle, but a rectangle is not a square, not all alcohol qualifies as liquor. Alcohol is a very broad term, which refers to any food or drink item that contains alcohol. Liquor, however, is specifically alcoholic beverages resulting from distillation. Fermented drinks, such as beer or wine, are not liquor. Here are examples of liquor.
- Whiskey
- Vodka
- Tequila
- Schnapps
Final Thoughts
Whole Foods has a great selection of milder alcoholic beverages such as wine, beer, and mixed drinks. However, you will not find many hard liquors like tequila and whiskey on their shelves.
You can see what products are carried near you by searching the Whole Foods website after selecting your preferred location. In most cases, delivery is not possible directly from Whole Foods, but pick-up is usually offered. In some locations, Amazon Prime has an alcohol delivery service that members can use.
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