New Bill Could Allow Sale Of Alcohol-Infused Ice Cream In NJ

Alcohol-infused ice cream and other frozen desserts could soon make their way to the Garden State under a new proposal.

The proposed bill (A5013 / S4130) would allow the sale of ice cream and other frozen desserts infused with certain alcoholic beverages.

According to the legislation, these beverages could range from wine to malt alcoholic beverages, hard cider, distilled alcoholic beverages, or mead, as long as they're made in accordance with state law and don't contain over five percent of alcohol by volume.

The products would have to be sold in sealed packaging with warnings that they contain up to five percent of alcohol by volume, as well as safety warnings generally issued on alcoholic drinks.

The proposed legislation would not only allow for alcohol-infused ice cream, but also other frozen desserts such as custard, sherbet, bisque tortoni, whipped cream confection and more.

The sale of alcohol-infused desserts to those under the legal drinking age would be considered a disorderly persons offense, according to the bill.

That offense could be punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to six months, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.

Under the proposed legislation, those already licensed to sell or distribute frozen desserts would be allowed to manufacture, sell, or distribute frozen desserts containing alcoholic beverages (though no more than five percent by volume).

According to the New Jersey Legislature, the most recent update on the proposal was that the bill was reported out of the Assembly Committee with amendments and referred to the Assembly Commerce & Economic Development Committee.

To learn more about the proposal, you can click here.