Alcohol is a special category in the world of drinks, often linked to parties, relaxation, and social gatherings. For those interested in making money from its enduring popularity, getting into alcohol affiliate marketing can be a good choice.
Alcohol affiliate programs are a great way to earn money, especially since the global sales volume of alcohol was worth more than $1.5 trillion in 2021 and is expected to reach almost $2.3 trillion by 2025.
This article delves into the top 12 most profitable alcohol affiliate programs for 2024, providing insights into their offerings, commission structures, and potential earning opportunities.
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Top 12 Best Alcohol Affiliate Programs for 2024
Drizly
Drizly is a well-known online alcohol marketplace in North America, serving beer, high quality wine, and liquor enthusiasts in over 100 locations across the US and Canada.
They offer a user-friendly website with a personalized shopping experience, rich content, and a commitment to delivering orders within an hour. This makes it easier for affiliate marketers to make sales.
Drizly’s target audience is adults of legal drinking age who are looking for a convenient way to buy alcohol including beer drinkers, wine lovers, and liquor enthusiasts. The company’s customers are typically located in urban areas and have a higher-than-average income.
However, the Drizly affiliate program commission has a relatively low average of just 1%, so you’ll need to drive a high sales volume to earn a significant income. Another drawback is that you’ll only earn commissions on sales to new customers and not on repeat purchases.
Nonetheless, there are still attractive aspects to Drizly, including a solid average order value of over $75. They also provide marketing materials to support affiliates, such as monthly promotions and updated creative resources.
- Commission rate: 1% for each sale
- Cookie duration: 30 days
- Payment methods: PayPal, Check, Wire Transfer, Direct Deposit, and ACH Transfer
- Payout threshold: $25 (ACH), $50 (check), and $100 (bank transfer)
Wine.com
Wine.com is a well-known online wine seller that offers a wide variety of wines and wine-related products, making it easy for customers to find the right wine. They’ve been in business since 1994 and aim to be a trusted source for wine lovers, whether buying for themselves or as a gift.
This brand provides a large selection of wines, reasonable prices, and convenient alcohol delivery service options. Their website also offers helpful information to help people feel more confident about enjoying wine.
You can find a range of wines, from famous and highly-rated ones to unique, lesser-known options worldwide.
When you join the Wine.com affiliates program, you can earn a 2.4% per existing customer sales and 4% per new customer sales commission with a 30-day cookie tracking period.
You can use text links, banner ads, or virtual storefronts to connect visitors to Wine.com. All you need to do is join the program and pick the best graphics that suit your site.
- Commission rate: 2.4% per existing customer sales and 4% per new customer sales
- Cookie duration: 30 days
- Payment methods: direct deposit (bank transfer), PayPal or check
WineExpress
WineExpress.com has an exclusive partnership with The Wine Enthusiast, a prominent destination for wine lovers. The company’s wine director, Josh Farrell, is a well-known figure in the wine industry, boasting over 30 years of experience as a wine merchant, including roles as a cellar master and sommelier at Windows on the World.
WineExpress.com offers hundreds of wine varieties, including exclusive reserves you can’t find anywhere else. They provide free shipping for orders exceeding $149 and offer various wine club packages starting at $49.95 per month.
By becoming an affiliate of the WineExpress alcohol program, you can earn a flat $10 fee for each wine club membership you generate and a 6% commission on regular store purchases.
WineExpress.com values its affiliate marketing partners, and affiliates can expect to receive payments monthly on 15th. Their affiliate program is free to join and straightforward to set up.
To assist you in your affiliate marketing efforts, WineExpress provides a range of promotional materials, including banner ads, text links, and product links.
- Commission rate: 6% for regular purchases, $10 for wine clubs
- Cookie duration: 30 days
- Payment methods: PayPal, Check, Wire Transfer, Direct Deposit, and ACH Transfer
- Payout threshold: $25 (ACH), $50 (check), and $100 (bank transfer)
BarProducts
BarProducts is an online store founded in 1995 in Denver, Colorado. BarProducts specializes in selling a wide range of bar products, from bottle openers and corkscrews to liquor shelves and LED lighting. They provide everything you’d need to set up your home wet bar.
In addition to these bar essentials, the website also offers a variety of beer-related gifts, including bottle and can coolers, coasters, and even drinking games.
BarProducts retains customers by providing high-quality products and excellent customer service. The company also offers a variety of loyalty programs and discounts.
BarProducts affiliate program commission offers a solid but not exceptional 5% commission on all sales, and payments are directly deposited into your PayPal account.
It’s important to note that if you don’t have a PayPal account or prefer not to use it, you won’t be able to join their affiliate program.
As an added perk, the website provides same-day shipping for most orders, as long as they are placed before 2 pm EST.
- Commission rate: 5% on every sale
- Cookie duration: 3 days
- Payment methods: PayPal
- Payout threshold: revealed upon registered
The Whisky Barrel
The Whisky Barrel is a notable online wine retailer for whisky enthusiasts, offering an impressive selection of over 1,000 whisky varieties worldwide.
They focus on new releases, especially fine and rare Scotch whisky from independent bottlers and distillers, with prices ranging from £30 to £30,000. In addition to whisky, they sell various other spirits like world rums, Scottish gins, rare Japanese whiskies, and more.
Although the company is based in Scotland, The Whisky Barrel ships to over 50 countries, not just within the British Isles.
The Whisky Barrel’s alcohol affiliate program pays a flat 5% commission on all sales, which can accumulate quickly, especially if you promote premium products to a well-off audience.
TWB Affiliates are not allowed to use our brand names or variations of them in paid search ads, including social media ads. Regarding domains and URLs, affiliates cannot include our brand in their domains or sub-domains. However, it’s acceptable to use a direct URL like “affiliatedomain.com/thewhiskybarrel.”
As a bonus, affiliate marketers might receive free product samples to review, but it’s important not to go overboard.
- Commission rate: 5%
- Cookie duration: 30 days
- Payment methods: PayPal, Stripe, and credit cards.
- Payout threshold: £/€/$20
Flaviar
Flaviar is a group of people who love spirits and are passionate about the culture, history, and the art of making them. Simply put, they run a club where you can join and receive a carefully chosen selection of high-quality liquors delivered to your doorstep.
They offer two membership options: an annual one for $349, billed once a year, and a quarterly subscription for $109, billed every three months.
Apart from their club, Flaviar also has an online store where they sell 37 different types of spirits, including unique ones like absinthe, grappa, and mezcal. This means that no matter what alcoholic beverages your audience prefers, they’ll likely find them at Flaviar.
If you join Flaviar’s alcohol affiliate program, your commissions will depend on the type of sale you refer to. You can earn $40 for online purchases (with a 30-day tracking period) and up to $50 for memberships (with a 45-day tracking period).
- Commission rate: $40 – $50
- Cookie duration: 30 – 45 days
- Payment methods: PayPal, Check, Wire Transfer, Direct Deposit, and ACH Transfer
- Payout threshold: $25 (ACH), $50 (check), and $100 (bank transfer)
Craft Beer Club
Craft Beer Club is a monthly club subscription service that provides beer enthusiasts with a top selection of American craft brews. They offer a vast collection of beers, mainly sourced from independent brewers using traditional brewing ingredients.
The brand is an excellent way to explore the diverse world of American craft beers. Their team sources outstanding craft brews from various regions and sends them directly to club members or recipients every month.
These selections are crafted by independent, small-scale brewers who adhere to traditional ingredients and time-honored brewing techniques. This ensures that CraftBeerClub.com’s monthly picks offer a unique and high-quality beer experience distinct from the mass-produced, widely recognized brands.
Craft Beer Club’s alcohol affiliate program offers a 5% standard commission on all new memberships you refer. While this is reasonable, the 7-day cookie tracking period is relatively short.
ShareASale data shows that this brand has an average order size of $190, and 7% of visitors make a purchase. This means that when you refer someone, there’s a good chance they’ll make substantial purchases, potentially leading to higher commissions.
Also, affiliates are not allowed to buy or register keywords, domain names, or search terms containing “CraftBeerClub” or any variations of these terms for use in search engines or sponsored advertising services.
You can join this program through affiliate networks including ShareASale or PepperJam and get access to their creative and text links.
- Commission rate: 5% per sale
- Cookie duration: 7 days
- Payment methods: FedEx, direct deposit, check, wire transfer and Payoneer for ShareASale, PayPal for Pepperjam
- Payout threshold: $50 (ShareASale) and $25 (Pepperjam)
California Wine Club
The California Wine Club is dedicated to providing wine enthusiasts with access to exceptional small-batch wines from California’s finest artisan wineries. They offer wine club memberships starting at $43.45 per quarter or every other month.
Subscribers receive critically acclaimed wines and a guide called “Uncorked,” which includes tasting notes, pairing suggestions, and stories from the wineries. Subscribers also have the option to reorder their favorite bottles at savings of up to 50%.
The California Wine Club’s affiliate program managed through ShareASale, offers a generous 15% commission on all sales. They also provide a VIP commission and a $2 two-tiered bonus for top-notch affiliates.
The website boasts an impressive average conversion rate of 5.5%, an average sale exceeding $200, and ShareASale’s top 10 over 100 PowerRank during the holidays, indicating significant earning potential for wine club affiliates.
Additionally, the program provides a lengthy 90-day cookie window, the longest among the alcohol affiliate programs reviewed, allowing for extended tracking of referrals and potential commissions.
- Commission rate: 15% per sale, VIP commissions, $2 two-tiered bonus
- Cookie duration: 90 days
- Payment methods: FedEx, direct deposit, check, wire transfer and Payoneer
- Payout threshold: $50
Plonk Wine Club
Plonk Wine Club is the brainchild of food and wine expert Etty Lewensztain, a certified professional recognized by the American Sommelier Association and the Wine & Spirit Education Trust.
This brand brings a thrilling collection of organic, biodynamic, and limited-production wines from the finest boutique wineries worldwide to your doorstep.
The club takes pride in its flexible offerings, allowing members to choose between as few as four or as many as 12 bottles per delivery. You can opt for an all-red, all-white, or mixed wine largest selection that includes rose and sparkling wine.
But it gets even better because the Plonk Wine Club affiliate program offers a premier and highest-paying commission of up to 15% commission on prepaid wine club subscriptions and offers competitive flat fee payouts on ongoing subscriptions.
Additionally, they offer a 10% commission on all non-subscription orders in our wine shop, including individual wine bottles, curated wine packs, and a gift basket.
With ShareASale reporting an average order value of $290, there’s significant earning potential. To top it off, the dedicated affiliate managers available to provide guidance, marketing materials, and information about ongoing incentive programs.
- Commission rate: up to 15%
- Cookie duration: 30 days
- Payment methods: FedEx, direct deposit, check, wire transfer and Payoneer
- Payout threshold: $50
TheDrinkShop
TheDrinkShop, an online business operating for over 20 years, aims to provide various wines, beers, spirits, and gift items. They have a substantial selection of over 7,000 products spanning different categories, including many unique items not found elsewhere.
This extensive product selection has attracted a large number of individual customers and also gained the attention of significant corporate clients. Additionally, many bars, hotels, and restaurants rely on TheDrinkShop’s wholesale list for their needs.
In terms of their alcohol affiliate program, it falls under the category of being decent but not exceptionally generous. The program offers a 5% commission rate and a 30-day tracking window, which may not be overly lucrative, but the variety of products available compensates for this to some extent.
- Commission rate: 5% per sale
- Cookie duration: 30 days
- Payment methods: PayPal, Stripe, and credit cards.
- Payout threshold: £/€/$20
HomeWetBar.com
HomeWetBar.com has been a specialist in crafting personalized gifts for those who appreciate beer, wine, or spirits since 2004. Their unique offerings include various custom-made gift products such as glassware, barware, signs, and decorative items.
These products are perfect for special occasions or for individuals renovating their homes, especially if they want to create a home wet bar.
The website features an extensive inventory of over 2,200 products, with an average order value exceeding $50.
When it comes to their affiliate program, HomeWetBar.com is quite appealing, offering a generous 12% commission rate and a bonus if you perform well with a 30-day tracking period.
By becoming Home Wet Bar affiliates, you can get access to attractive banners and text links and an analytics affiliate dashboard through ShareASale.
- Commission rate: 10%
- Cookie duration: 30 days
- Payment methods: FedEx, direct deposit, check, wire transfer and Payoneer
- Payout threshold: $50
LIQUORexam.com
LIQUORexam.com takes a different approach compared to wine and spirits sellers. They don’t offer wine gifts, craft beers, or premium spirits, nor do they operate a wine club. Instead, they provide online training for individuals aspiring to become responsible alcohol servers and sellers.
Their training programs are designed to educate students on legal and responsible alcohol sales. These courses are approved for use in all states and are quite affordable, starting at just $7.95.
The training takes place entirely online and can be initiated in under 24 hours, making it accessible to a wide range of individuals. Each course comprises five instructional units followed by a final exam.
In the LIQUORexam.com affiliate program, you can earn a generous 25% commission for every new student you enroll. Commissions are determined based on the total monthly sales you refer to and are automatically calculated at the end of each month.
As a LIQUORexam.com referral affiliate, you’ll receive text links and unique banner codes that you can use on your websites and email marketing campaigns.
When a customer clicks on these provided links, any purchases they make will be linked back to you as the referring affiliate, and you’ll earn commissions for those sales.
- Commission rate: 25%
- Cookie duration: revealed upon registered
- Payment methods: PayPal
- Payout threshold: revealed upon registered
Why is Alcohol Affiliate Programs A Right Choice?
Alcohol affiliate programs are an excellent choice for marketers, content creators, and influencers who want to monetize their website, blog, or social media channels. It’s a potential niche because:
High Demand
The global sales volume of alcohol was worth more than $1.5 trillion in 2021 and is expected to reach almost $2.3 trillion by 2025
On-demand alcohol delivery brands have taken off in a big way, and the market experienced a spike during the lockdowns, climbing 43% in sales.
A report shows that 47% of millennials like to enjoy their drinks in the comfort of their own homes, and 28% find it too much of a hassle to go to a local store to purchase beverages.
Additionally, data from IWSR indicates that nearly 75% of consumers in the US are willing to spend a bit more money to purchase their drinks online rather than going to a nearby store.
This presents a massive opportunity for affiliates to earn a commission by promoting alcohol-related products and services.
Diverse Audience
Alcohol caters to broad consumers, making it a versatile niche for affiliates.
You can target beer enthusiasts, wine lovers, cocktail enthusiasts, and even those interested in rare and fine spirits. This diversity allows you to customize your marketing strategies and reach various niches, increasing your chances of success.
Various Products to Promote
The alcohol industry has many options, like premium wines, craft beers, and unique spirits.
Affiliates can choose products that match their audience’s likes, making it easier to convince people to buy.
For instance, if your audience loves beer, you can focus on promoting craft beers that they’d enjoy. Unique seasonal and limited-time products also give affiliates chances to create content at the right time.
Plus, suggesting related products in your content can make it more valuable.
High Prices, Bigger Commission
Alcohol items are often more expensive, so affiliates can earn more for each sale, even if they don’t have many sales. You can also suggest additional items to customers.
For example, if someone buys an expensive liquor bottle, you can recommend fancy glasses or cocktail tools, earning you even more. Selling pricier alcohol can lead to customers returning and buying more from you, building lasting relationships.
Factors to Consider the Best Alcohol Affiliate Programs
When looking for the best alcohol affiliate programs, there are several crucial factors to consider to find out the best ones, which are:
Commission Structure
First, you should examine the commission rates offered by the affiliate program.
Alcohol affiliate programs often offer competitive commissions due to the high average order value of alcohol products. That’s why you should look for programs with attractive commission percentages or fixed amounts per sale.
Product Selection
Secondly, you must consider the range and quality of the alcohol products available through the affiliate program. A diverse selection, including popular and niche brands, can enhance your marketing flexibility and cater to a broader audience.
Cookie Duration
The duration of the tracking cookie is vital. A longer cookie duration gives you more time to earn a commission if a referred visitor makes a purchase. Look for programs with extended cookie durations, ideally 30 days or more.
Promotional Resources
Next, you need to assess the affiliate program’s support regarding promotional resources. Do they provide banners, text links, product data feeds, or other marketing materials to help you create content and promote your products effectively?
Reputation and Credibility
This factor is also essential!
Research the reputation of the affiliate program and the alcohol brands it represents. Choose well-known programs and brands with a positive image to enhance your credibility as an affiliate.
Support and Communication
Some beginners might get stuck when joining an affiliate program. That’s why they need dedicated support tea,
Evaluate the level of support and communication provided by the program. Prompt responses to inquiries and access to an affiliate manager can be invaluable in addressing any concerns or issues.
Terms and Conditions
Last but not least, carefully review the program’s terms and conditions, including any restrictions or requirements. You should ensure that you’re comfortable with the program’s policies.
Last words
Alcohol affiliate programs usually don’t offer super high commissions because the profit margins in the alcohol industry are pretty narrow. However, since many people enjoy drinking and have their favorite wine or alcoholic beverages, there’s a large and interested audience you can reach out to.
In a way, it’s a bit of a two-sided situation. On one hand, you won’t get massive commissions, but on the other hand, there’s money to be made if you approach it correctly.
To do that, you need to create a top-notch website, write excellent content, focus on the right keywords, and know what makes a good affiliate program.