Where Can You Find Trader Joe's Tequila?

Trader Joe's is known for providing customers with unique food products sold under its own brand. But some are not aware the grocery chain has stamped its name on bourbon, vodka, and tequila, as well as things like cookie butter and frozen dumplings. This largely comes down to the fact that Trader Joe's is forbidden to sell spirits in various parts of the United States, meaning many patrons have never seen these drinks on the shelves. This can get pretty granular: Laws regarding who can and cannot sell booze vary by region and even county. All in all, 14 states allow Trader Joe's to sell liquor: Arizona, California, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Washington, and Wisconsin. 

If you're a TJ diehard in one of these states, you're probably feeling pretty good right now. Perhaps you'd like to celebrate with a margarita, made with the store's own Tequila Blanco. Before you rush out, though, you should check with your local Trader Joe's to make sure it is available. Moreover, you should find out if it's in the grocery store itself or not. Though not all communities allow TJ's to sell liquor in its grocery stores, some have a Trader Joe's Wine Shop right next door that is appropriately authorized.

While folks won't find any tequila in TJ's locations in Colorado because it is illegal to sell spirits in grocery stores there, they will see it in some of the adjacent Trader Joe's Wine Shops, like the one in Colorado Springs. Kentucky shops also operate in this manner; there, liquor sales are not allowed in supermarkets unless they have a separate entrance where minors won't also be working. If you aren't sure whether you have a Trader Joe's Wine Shop in your area, you can find out by checking TJ's store locator.

The wine shops specialize in offering vino at rock-bottom prices, like the crowd-pleasing Two Buck Chuck, but they also supply hard liquor at discount prices. The sister stores generally operate next to a traditional Trader Joe's, so if you live in one of the states that don't have any Trader Joe's locations, you're out of luck. Even if you have a nearby location, it's worth checking to make sure they sell tequila and other spirits every day. Some regions restrict when alcohol sales can take place during the week.

If you plan on hosting a Sunday brunch featuring Bloody Marias, it might be best to take care of your shopping the day before. Many areas prohibit or limit alcohol sales on Sundays, meaning Trader Joe's tequila is locked behind closed doors on that day. This is due to blue laws, which keep booze sales off limits on Sundays and religious holidays such as Easter and Christmas. Sometimes these rules apply to the entire day, but in certain cases they merely restrict the hours during which one can purchase alcohol. This can vary by state and local ordinances, so it's best to check with your neighborhood TJ's to see when and if alcohol is available on Sunday.

Trader Joe's has a welcoming sample policy in many areas, but this, unfortunately, doesn't include sampling a shot of tequila in-store. Reviews for TJ's tequila are mixed, though most indicate it's worthy of being included in a mixed drink. If your local Trader Joe's sells tequila, consider pairing it with the Organic Jalapeño Limeade. The sweet and spicy mixer has a tart bite of citrus that makes for a flavorful margarita. You can give it a perfect finish by rimming the glass with TJ's Chili Lime Seasoning Blend for an extra burst of heat — though you'll want to be cautious about getting margarita burn if you're enjoying it in the sun.