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Category 3 of 25 · Hawaii

Beverages

Juices, Sodas, Kombucha, Coffee Drinks & Alcohol

Verify Before You Sell — Dual Path
Cottage/permit split
Non-alcoholic
DLC license req'd
Alcohol
4.5%
GET
HDOH / County DLC
Agency

What's Covered / What Needs More

✓ What's Covered

  • Shelf-stable syrups, dried tea/coffee mixes, and low-acid-safe (pH ≤4.6) shrubs under the cottage exemption
  • Kombucha, cold-pressed juice, and other refrigerated or fermented drinks sold from a permitted HDOH food establishment
  • Beer/wine/spirits made under the appropriate county Department of Liquor Control (DLC) manufacturer license
  • On-premises sale of wine/spirits produced at a licensed Class 1 manufacturing site for off-site consumption

✕ Needs More

  • Fresh-pressed juice, kombucha, or any beverage needing refrigeration for safety is NOT cottage-food eligible — it needs a licensed kitchen
  • No alcohol of any kind may be produced or sold without the matching county DLC manufacturer license plus TTB federal permits
  • Home 'moonshine'/unlicensed distilling is a criminal offense under HRS §281-101 regardless of scale
  • Interstate shipping of alcohol needs a direct-shipper permit; plain interstate shipping of non-alcoholic drinks isn't covered by the cottage exemption

How to Get Compliant

A

Classify your drink first

Shelf-stable/dry mixes = cottage food (course + label only); anything requiring refrigeration or fermentation control = HDOH-permitted commercial kitchen; anything alcoholic = county DLC license.

B

License accordingly

Non-alcoholic commercial beverages: apply for an HDOH food establishment permit. Alcoholic beverages: apply for the matching Manufacturer (Class 1) license through your county Dept. of Liquor Control, plus TTB Basic Permit.

C

Label and tax correctly

Non-alcoholic: home-kitchen disclaimer if cottage-eligible, or full nutrition/ingredient panel if commercial. Alcoholic: federal COLA-approved label, GET license, and applicable liquor tax.

Quick Reference

Sales ChannelRequirementNotes
Shelf-stable syrup/tea mix, direct saleFood-safety course + labelCottage exempt (HAR 11-50)
Kombucha / cold-pressed juiceHDOH food establishment permitTCS/fermentation risk excludes cottage path
Beer, wine, or spiritsCounty DLC Manufacturer license + TTB permitAlso requires GET license; retail sale on-premise limited
Direct-to-consumer wine shippingHI direct wine shipper permitIn-state producers with Class 1/16 license only

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sell homemade kombucha at a farmers market?
Only from an HDOH-permitted kitchen — kombucha's live fermentation and refrigeration needs put it outside the cottage exemption.
Can I make and sell my own beer from home?
No — any alcohol manufacture requires a county Dept. of Liquor Control manufacturer license and federal TTB permits; home brewing for sale is prohibited.
Can I ship kombucha or juice to another island?
In-state shipping of a cottage-eligible, shelf-stable drink is allowed; anything requiring refrigeration needs a licensed facility regardless of destination.
What license lets me sell wine I made on a small farm?
A Class 1 (manufacturer) license from your county DLC, potentially paired with a direct wine shipper permit for off-premise sales.

Printable Checklist