North Carolina is one of six states in the country that still prohibits the retail sale of distilled spirits on Sundays. SB 527 authorizes local governments to allow seven-day spirits sales from  ABC stores and gives them the opportunity to sell on New Year’s Day, July 4th and Labor Day.

SB 527 allows consumers to purchase cocktails to-go for take-out or delivery with a food purchase. North Carolina’s temporary cocktails to-go measure expired in June 2021.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, 23 states and the District of Columbia have enacted laws to permanently allow cocktails to-go, and 10 others have enacted laws that allow cocktails to-go on a temporary basis. 

• Despite many spirits RTDs having the same or lower alcohol-by-volume (ABV) than their beer- and wine-based products, they are currently taxed at a much higher rate. SB 527 defines a “pre-mixed cocktail” and sets a maximum ABV of 13%. It exempts these  products from the state’s mixed beverage tax of $20 per 4 liters that is paid by the on-premises “mixed beverage permit” holders, such as restaurants and bars.