The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) applauded Governor Janet Mills for signing LD 201, legislation to permanently allow cocktails to-go from restaurants and bars in Maine.

“We are glad to see Maine join the nearly twenty other states that have made cocktails to-go permanent in support of local restaurants and consumers,” said Andy Deloney, senior vice president & head of state public policy at DISCUS, in a news release. “This popular measure was a critical revenue generator for businesses over the last few years and will continue to provide stability while increasing consumer convenience. We thank the Maine Legislature and Governor Mills for codifying this consumer- and business-friendly measure into law.”

The new law permanently allows certain beverage alcohol licensees to sell beer, wine and approved mixed drinks with a food purchase to go. Mixed drinks must be in sealed containers, appropriately labeled and placed in the trunk or non-passenger compartments of a vehicle.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, 19 states, including Maine, 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, Maine, 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), Maryland (local option – expires June 30, 2023), Massachusetts (expires April 1, 2024), 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.

To learn more about DISCUS, visit https://www.distilledspirits.org/.