Ready-to-drink cocktail spirits may soon be available in more PA stores

Pennsylvania is one step closing to allowing spirts ready-to-drink cocktails to be sold in places that currently sell beer and wine.

The PA House Liquor Control Committee passed Senate Bill 688 on Tuesday.

That means products like “High Noon” that is made with vodka would be able to be sold alongside products like “White Claw” which is a malt beverage.

The Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S. tells KDKA Radio products like “High Noon” have around the same alcohol content as a hard seltzer but because they’re made with spirits and not what’s considered beer, they have to be sold at PA State Stores.

“Allowing adult consumers to purchase their favorite spirits ready-to-drink cocktails where they already buy beer and wine just makes sense,” said Andy Deloney, senior vice president of state government relations at the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States. “These products contain the same amount of alcohol as products already being sold in grocery and convenience stores, so consumers shouldn’t have to make an extra trip to purchase them. We urge the House to pass SB 688 in support of Pennsylvania consumers and businesses.”

The Distilled Spirits Council says that a recent survey shows 86 percent of people believe ready-to-drink cocktails should be sold in the same place where beer and wine are available (like some grocery and convenience stores in Pennsylvania).

If the bill passes the full house, it will go back to the Senate for consideration to make chanced made during the house committee process