Craving Booze-Filled Czech Chocolate? Better Have Your ID Ready

Pralines dripping with slivovice, spongy rum-drenched punch slices—booze is an essential ingredient to Czech baking and confectionery but did you know you might have to present your ID before purchasing these and other liqueur-soaked treats (at least if you look under 25)?

The chain quickly confirmed that the cashier had acted correctly, stating that employees are obliged to monitor the look of both the alcohol and the customer who is purchasing it, and, if they appear to be under 25, must verify their age with an ID card, driver’s license, or passport.

“We have opted for this limit because the visual difference, for example, between a 17-year and 25-year-old customer is often minimal,” Zuzana Holá, a spokesman for Lidl said.

Lidl added that the rule also applies to products containing only a small amount of alcohol, including some liqueur confectionery.

“We try to exclude the possibility of selling alcohol to children as much as possible,” said Hola.

So far the German discount retailer is the only chain that is denying minors with a sweet tooth the chance to indulge in boozy bonbons.

Pralines and other confectionery with small amounts of alcohol continue to be sold by Globus, Tesco, and Albert.

“There is no legislative requirement that would prohibit us from selling these candies to people under the age of 18,” Pavla Hobíková, an Albert spokesperson told the publication.

Nestle, the manufacturer of two of the country’s most popular liqueur confections, Dessert Orion Maraska and Pralinky Orion with Slivovice said that it is unaware of any ban against selling food containing alcohol to minors adding that in any case, it’s mostly senior citizens that buy that kind of candy.

Since the beginning of the smoking ban in May last year, the Czech Trade Inspection has stiffened the penalties for selling alcohol to minors.