According to reporting by Associated Press writer Elizabeth Karmel, cocktails are currently enjoying increased popularity, with consumption patterns changing dramatically due to COVID-19 restrictions. As bars and restaurants faced limited capacity or complete shutdowns, drinking habits moved from public establishments to private residences.
Restaurant Industry Response
In response to changing consumer needs and revenue challenges, many food service establishments have begun offering cocktails to go. This business model adaptation has received regulatory support across much of the United States.
The Distilled Spirits Council, a major industry trade organization, reports that more than 30 states have now approved legislation allowing restaurants and bars to sell alcoholic beverages for off-premise consumption. This represents a substantial regulatory shift from pre-pandemic policies when most states strictly limited takeout alcohol sales.
These new allowances have created a lifeline for struggling establishments while meeting consumer demand for professional-quality cocktails at home. Many restaurants have developed specialized packaging and preparation methods to ensure drinks maintain their quality during transport.
Regulatory Changes
The widespread approval of to-go cocktails marks a significant change in alcohol regulation across the United States. Before the pandemic, most states maintained strict separation between on-premise and off-premise alcohol sales.
The Distilled Spirits Council has been tracking these regulatory changes, noting that the more than 30 states now permitting takeout cocktails represent a majority of the country. These changes have occurred through various mechanisms including:
- Emergency executive orders during the pandemic
- Temporary legislative measures
- Permanent law changes in some jurisdictions
Some industry analysts believe these regulatory changes may have lasting effects beyond the pandemic, potentially creating permanent new business models for restaurants and bars.
Home Mixology Trend
Beyond restaurant offerings, the pandemic has sparked increased interest in home bartending. Many consumers have invested in equipment, ingredients, and knowledge to create cocktails in their own kitchens.
This shift has benefited liquor retailers and manufacturers of bar equipment, who have reported sales increases during the pandemic. Online cocktail classes, virtual tastings, and digital recipe resources have also grown in popularity as consumers seek to replicate bar-quality drinks at home.
The home cocktail trend aligns with broader pandemic patterns of consumers bringing formerly out-of-home experiences into their residences, from fitness to entertainment to dining.
As vaccination rates increase and restrictions ease, the industry faces questions about whether these changed drinking habits will persist or if consumers will eagerly return to traditional bar settings. For now, the cocktail renaissance continues to flourish primarily in domestic settings, with restaurants finding innovative ways to participate in this transformed market.
