New Jersey makes cocktails to go permanent
The new law covers takeout and delivery, while expanding certain privileges for craft distilleries.
Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed legislation Friday that allows New Jersey restaurants, bars and other eligible businesses to sell cocktails and other alcoholic beverages for takeout and delivery.
The law, S4384, makes permanent the rules that were adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic that allow certain businesses with retail consumption licenses to sell mixed cocktails in closed, sealed containers for customers to consume off premises. The temporary provisions were scheduled to expire Sept. 1.
The law also expands sales privileges for craft distilleries under certain conditions.
“New Jersey’s small businesses shouldn’t have to navigate outdated rules just to serve their customers and grow,” Sherrill said in a statement. “Cocktails to-go worked, customers liked it, and small businesses told us it was another way to bring in revenue. Today, we’re making it permanent.”
Restaurants, hotels and bars with qualifying retail consumption licenses can sell alcoholic beverages in their original containers and mixed drinks in closed, sealed containers for off-premises consumption.
Those businesses can also deliver sealed mixed drinks and malt beverages, including beer and hard seltzer, for off-premises consumption. Deliveries can be made by the licensed business or a licensed third-party delivery service.
The legislation also allows craft distilleries to sell mixed drinks made with liquor produced on their licensed premises for consumption there.
Distilleries can also sell those mixed drinks in tamper-evident containers for customers to take elsewhere. They may sell liquor produced on the premises in its original container alongside food or nonalcoholic beverages that customers can use to make mixed drinks.
State lawmakers initially approved temporary provisions allowing certain liquor license holders to sell and deliver alcoholic beverages for off-premises consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Supporters say making the policy permanent will give restaurants and bars another source of revenue.
“Cocktails to-go helped restaurants and bars keep business moving during the pandemic, and they have continued to be a convenient option for customers,” state Sen. Vin Gopal said. “Making this permanent gives our hospitality businesses another way to serve their customers and generate revenue while keeping commonsense safeguards in place for the sale and delivery of alcohol.”
The National Restaurant Association reported that in states allowing alcohol to go, 79% of wine drinkers, 77% of beer drinkers and 74% of cocktail drinkers were more likely to choose a restaurant for delivery based on whether they could also order alcohol.
Krystal Knapp is the founder, executive director, and publisher of The Jersey Vindicator and the founder of Planet Princeton. She has more than two decades of experience reporting in New Jersey, including 10 years at The Trenton Times, where she was the newsroom’s public records and computer-assisted reporting expert. Her work has been recognized by the New Jersey Press Association and the Center for Cooperative Media. You can reach her at Krystal AT jerseyvindicator.org.