Cocktails to-go made permanent in Vermont
Vermont has become the latest US state to pass legislation to allow takeaway cocktails on a permanent basis.
A bill, H.339, was passed last Friday (9 May) to permanently legalise cocktails to-go in the state, which will come through once signed by Vermont governor Phil Scott.
Vermont initially set a temporary measure to allow cocktails to-go in the state, but that will expire on 1 July 2025.
Vermont, along with more than 30 others states, initially put forward cocktails to-go as an ‘economic relief measure’ to help and support local hospitality businesses as they recover from the pandemic.
Vermont joins the following states that have signed legislation to make cocktails to-go permanent into law: Arizona; Arkansas; Colorado; Connecticut; Delaware; Hawaii; Indiana, Iowa; Florida; Georgia; Kansas; Kentucky; Louisiana; Maine; Massachusetts; Michigan, Missouri; Montana; Nebraska; North Carolina; Ohio; Oklahoma; Oregon; Rhode Island, Texas; Virginia; Washington; West Virginia; Wisconsin; and the District of Columbia.
Andy Deloney, senior vice-president and head of state government relations at the Distilled Spirits Council of the US (Discus), said: “Cocktails to-go have not only been a great additional source of revenue for local bars and restaurants, but adult consumers have come to expect the added convenience they offer.
“For years now, hospitality businesses have been forced to grapple with ever-changing challenges including staffing shortages, supply chain disruptions and inflation.
“Making cocktails to-go permanent provides long-term stability for these businesses and added convenience for consumers. We applaud the Legislature for supporting Vermont businesses and consumers and urge the governor to sign H.339 to make cocktails to-go permanent.”
While Vermont might have made the move to tie-down the law permanently, there are still some states set to see their temporary measures expire after the initial post-Covid-19 implementation.
These include California (31 December 2026), Illinois (1 August 2028), New Jersey (TBD), and New York (9 April 2030).
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