Close Menu
News

US states legalise cocktails to-go

Thirty US states have agreed to continue allowing cocktails to-go to be sold in bars and restaurants as the on-trade recovers from the pandemic.

American whiskey
During the pandemic, 35 states allowed cocktails to-go to be sold in hospitality venues as an ‘economic relief measure’

The Distilled Spirits Council of the US (Discus) has welcomed the news that 16 US states have allowed cocktails to-go to be sold permanently in the on-trade, while 14 states have legalised the move on a temporary basis.

Thirty-five states allowed cocktails to-go to be sold in bars and restaurants during the pandemic, as a ‘lifeline for hospitality businesses’.

For venues that were recovering from the ‘harsh economic impacts’ of the Covid-19 pandemic, selling cocktails to-go acted as an ‘economic relief measure’, the trade body said.

Chris Swonger, Discus president and CEO, said: “Business owners from all across the country continue to tell me that cocktails to-go helped them keep the lights on during the pandemic, and provided stability when little else could.

“Unfortunately, the hospitality industry has a long way to go before it is fully recovered. We are pleased to see so many states taking action to allow cocktails to-go permanently or for an extended amount of time to help these businesses get back on their feet.”

The 16 states that have legalised cocktails to-go on a permanent basis are: Arizona, Arkansas, Iowa, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Montana, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, West Virginia, Wisconsin, as well as the District of Columbia.

The 14 states that have passed legislation to allow cocktails to-go on a temporary basis are: Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, New Jersey, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia and Washington.

New Jersey has passed the legislation with the earliest expiration date of the 14 states – 1 January 2022.

Other states are still considering the implementation of this law, in either a permanent or temporary capacity.

Three states that allowed cocktails to-go to be served during the pandemic have allowed these measures to expire. These include New York, Pennsylvania and North Carolina.

Swonger added: “Reopened does not mean recovered, and hospitality businesses are still struggling with the harsh economic impacts of Covid-19.

“Stripping local businesses of this lifeline at such a critical time will only further devastate the hospitality industry.”

Discus recently teamed up with the Environmental Protection Agency to create energy-saving tools and resources for distillers.

It looks like you're in Asia, would you like to be redirected to the Drinks Business Asia edition?

Yes, take me to the Asia edition No