Last week, the Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate gave final approval to a supplemental budget bill (HB 58) which includes language that would extend cocktails to-go for one year.

The temporary measure, currently set to expire on April 1, 2023, would be extended to April 1, 2024, with Governor Maura Healey’s signature.

“We are grateful to representatives and senators that recognized the positive financial support cocktails to-go are generating for Massachusetts hospitality businesses and passed language to extend the privilege,” said Andy Deloney, senior vice president & head of state public policy at the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States. “Consumers across the state have enjoyed cocktails to-go for the last few years now, and continuing this consumer- and business-friendly measure just makes sense. We urge the governor to sign this language into law and extend stability for local businesses and convenience for customers.”

Since the beginning of the pandemic, 18 states and the District of Columbia have enacted laws to permanently allow cocktails to-go, and 14 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.

States that signed legislation to make cocktails to-go permanent into law:

Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Iowa, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, 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), Connecticut (expires June 4, 2024), Illinois (expires January 3, 2024), Maine (expires March 30, 2025), Maryland (local option – expires June 30, 2023), Massachusetts (expires April 1, 2023), Michigan (expires January 1, 2026), New Jersey (TBD), New York (expires April 9, 2025), Tennessee (expires July 1, 2023), Vermont (expires July 1, 2023), Virginia (expires July 1, 2024) and Washington (expires July 1, 2023) passed legislation to allow cocktails to-go on a temporary basis.