On-premise outlets in New York will be allowed to sell cocktails for consumption off their premises again, thanks to the renewal of a measure initially introduced to ease the pandemic’s impact on bars and restaurants. As of this month, New York establishments can sell and deliver cocktails to consumers at home for the next three years, provided the order includes food. The return of the sales opportunity, which was initially opened up around two years ago, comes ten months after it was ended. When COVID hit the US in early-2020, around 35 states approved cocktails-to-go laws. As the pandemic has eased, however, 18 states have made the rule change permanent. In New York, the emergency order ceased in June last year. “New York was the first state to provide an economic lifeline to hospitality businesses through cocktails to-go,” said Distilled Spirits Council senior VP of state government relations Jay Hibbard. “Unfortunately, this critical revenue stream was stripped from New York’s restaurants, bars and taverns with the end of the emergency order, despite continued economic hardships." Earlier this month, Constellation Brands acquired RTD start-up Austin Cocktails, following an investment in the firm three years ago. Why e-commerce is a channel brand owners must target - and fast - Click here for a Just Drinks focus