On Wednesday, the Alabama House Economic Development and Tourism and Senate Tourism Committees both passed bills that would allow grocery and convenience stores to sell so-called “ready-to-drink cocktails” in the state.
HB521, introduced by state Rep. Craig Lipscomb, R-District 30, and SB286, introduced by Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-District 24, are identical bills that look to change current Alabama law which limits the sale of low-alcohol spirit-based ready-to-drink cocktails to licensed liquor stores. The bills define these drinks as “mixed liquor beverages containing no more than seven percent alcohol by volume.”
Alabama already permits licensed grocery and convenience stores to sell beer, wine and malt-based cocktails.
According to WSFA 12, the bills were introduced in response to a survey conducted during the 2024 legislative session which found that nearly two-thirds of Alabama adults were in favor of allowing licensed retailers to sell ready-to-drink cocktails.
The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States celebrated the committee passage of both HB521 and SB286 in an official statement Wednesday.
“Committee passage of these bills is a great first step in providing increased consumer convenience in Alabama,” said Corey Staniscia, the council’s vice president of state government relations. “These bills will allow popular spirits ready-to-drink cocktails to be sold where consumers already get beer and wine products. We urge each chamber to take up and pass these commonsense solutions to benefit Alabama consumers and local businesses.”
Other organizations, including the Alabama Grocers Association, the Petroleum and Convenience Marketers of Alabama, and United-Johnson Brothers of Alabama also supported the bills’ passage as members of the Alabamians Ready for Convenience Coalition, ARCC.
Now, HB521 and SB286 will go to the floors of their respective chambers for further consideration.
