Key Change To Ready-To-Drink Cocktail Law Proposed In PA

PENNSYVLANIA — Pennsylvania legislators have advanced a bill that would expand the legality of ready-to-drink cocktails at establishments around the state. The product grew rapidly in popularity during the start of the pandemic as dining in restaurants and bars was prohibited.

The bill would allow the sale of liquor-based to-go cocktails from establishments that have already been approved to sell beer and wine to go. Currently, only state liquor stores can sell liquor to go cocktails.

“The ready-to-drink cocktail trend is taking off across the country, but spirits consumers in Pennsylvania are at an extreme disadvantage when trying to purchase these products,” David Wojnar, senior vice president and head of state government relations at the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, said in a statement.

"Unfortunately, only limited products are currently being offered, and those sales account for less than 1% of shelf space in stores," State Sen. Mike Regan (R-Cumberland/York) wrote in a co-sponsorship memorandum. "As these products continue to grow, they are flooding into neighboring states, while Pennsylvania’s selection remains limited."

Wojnar added that there 0.6 spirit outlets per 10,000 people in Pennsylvania, which is sharply below the national average of 3.4 per 10,000. This "means these pre-mixed cocktails are much harder to find."

In addition to state stores, this new legislation, if passed, would mean liquor to-go cocktails would be available at places like bars, grocery stores, beer distributors, convenience stores, and elsewhere.

The bill passed the Senate by a very thin margin, 26-24.