by Guy Page
When pandemic restrictions closed seating at Vermont bars, liquor store sales of ready-to-drink (RTD) mixed drinks took off. Now a bill allowing their sale next to beer and wine in grocery stores has cleared the Vermont House.
H730 would shift sales of both fortified wines and ready-to-drink (RTD) spirit beverages from liquor stores to be sold in the same retail streams as malt and vinous beverages. These changes will provide greater access to products for both licensees and consumers, according to a report from the Vermont Chamber of Commerce.
According to industry sources, RTDs were already growing market share before the pandemic. COVID pandemic only added fuel to the fire, causing RTD beverage sales to increase by 43%.
RTDs include a range of spirits and mixed beverages, including traditional cocktail recipes and new blends. Drizly—the popular drink delivery app—reports that its best selling RTD sub-categories are Whiskey Old Fashions, Margaritas , Mai Tais, Gin and Tonics, and Vodka Sodas/Vodka-based seltzers.