Today, the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) applauded Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb for signing HB 1086, a bill to allow cocktails to-go in support of businesses and consumers. Indiana is now the 25th state to pass a permanent cocktails-to-go law.
The bill will be effective on July 1, 2024.
“Indiana consumers will now be able to enjoy the added convenience of cocktails to-go, a measure made popular by the pandemic in many other states and now permanent in half of the country,” said Andy Deloney, senior vice president and head of state public policy at DISCUS. “Cocktails to-go provide stability for hospitality businesses and offer a great way for consumers to enjoy their favorite cocktails at home. We applaud the Legislature and Governor Holcomb for allowing cocktails to-go in Indiana and for supporting Indiana businesses and consumers.”
Since the beginning of the pandemic, 25 states, including Indiana, and the District of Columbia have enacted laws to permanently allow cocktails to-go, and eight others have enacted laws that allow cocktails to-go on a temporary basis. Numerous states are still considering cocktails to-go legislation.
The distilled spirits industry is committed to responsibility and encourages moderation for adults who choose to drink alcohol. Cocktails to-go are intended for home consumption. Laws governing alcohol consumption must always be observed.
BACKGROUND
States that signed legislation to make cocktails to-go permanent into law:
Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia have all made COVID-era cocktails to-go measures permanent.
States that signed legislation to allow cocktails to-go on a temporary basis into law:
California (expires December 31, 2026), Colorado (expires July 1, 2025), Illinois (expires August 1, 2028), Massachusetts (expires April 1, 2024), New Jersey (TBD), New York (expires April 9, 2025), Vermont (expires July 1, 2025) and Virginia (expires July 1, 2024) passed legislation to allow cocktails to-go on a temporary basis.