Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-Pennsylvania) signed into law on July 17 a bill that allows Pennsylvania consumers to buy ready-to-drink cocktails at their local convenience stores and other locations that already sell beer and wine.
The spirit-based drinks will be available for carry out in 60 days and can be sold to-go until 11 p.m., according to court documents.
Because of the passage of Senate Bill 688 by a narrow margin of 26-24, licensed retailers are allowed to sell ready-to-drink canned cocktails (RTDs) made with spirits, such as vodka and tequila, with an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 12.5% or less.
Prior to this new law, these products were restricted to state-run liquor stores because the base alcohol is liquor.
“This is monumental,” said Sen. Mike Regan (R-Dillsburg).
“For the first time in 91 years, Pennsylvania consumers will be able to buy liquor-based alcohol to go at their local grocery store, convenience store, beer distributor or restaurant,” he said.
The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA), which advocates the views of the state’s food and beverage industries, championed the bill.
"It offers consumers greater convenience and choice while supporting local businesses,” said Alex Baloga, president and CEO of PFMA, in a statement.
The bill was signed into law as Act 86 of 2024 and for the first time since the end of Prohibition in 1933, consumers will have the option to purchase liquor-based alcohol for off-premises consumption outside of the state-run stores.
“We are putting a product on the shelves that is similar in ABV and very similar in look and concept to malt-based canned cocktails that consumers can already access at their local retailers,” Regan said. “We are not putting high-alcohol-content products on the shelves of grocery and convenience stores.”
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