2024 Q3 Spirited VA - 39

I
t's summertime and that means a lot
of us are on the move. Whether you're
going to the beach, a ball game, fishing
at the lake or a barbeque, there's a good
chance you'll be packing a cooler with ice
and your favorite drinks. If that's the case,
think beyond beer and wine this year.
Instead, consider something portable and
shatterproof. Your ABC store has a wide
variety of pop tops and plastic bottles of
ready-to-drink cocktails (RTDs) that make
summer fun easy, convenient, lightweight
and safe.
Whatever you've got planned over the
summer, portable drinks at the end of the
day will make the experience a little more
memorable.
Cycling with friends on the Virginia
Creeper Trail from Abingdon to Whitetop
through Southwest Virginia? A lightweight
plastic container of Captain Morgan's can
add a great touch to the finish.
Heading to Lake Anna for a little
boating, paddleboarding or waterskiing?
Celebrate the end of the day with a few
cans of Coastal Cocktails Orange Crush.
Or maybe you've got that bucket-list
day hike about to happen. If so, you don't
want to lug around a backpack full of drinks,
glasses and mixers. Ready-to-drink cocktails
in cans and plastic bottles are a much better
option: simple and manageable. Wherever
you're going, these convenient drinks will
make the end of the trip more festive and
a whole lot easier.
Remember, if you choose a can or plastic
bottle, there won't be any broken glass
or wasted spirits to clean up. And with
RTDs, life is simple. Let someone else be
the bartender with pre-mixed cocktails
that are quick, easy to share, and easy to
serve. Just pour yourself a cup (or drink
straight from the can) and enjoy. After
all, summer vacation isn't the time to give
yourself extra chores.
Cutwater Lime Margarita, 355 ml
four pack, 12.5% ABV, $12.99
Based in San Diego, this award-winning
RTD is made with Cutwater tequila, lime
juice and triple sec. It's gluten free, sweet,
refreshing and a bit tart. The manufacturer
recommends trying this with a lime
wedge and salted rim, just like a traditional
margarita.
Bulleit Old
Fashioned
Cocktail, 375
ml 37.5% ABV,
From Louisville,
$19.99
this premade
highball was
designed under the
supervision of several prominent
bartenders. It's built
on high-rye straight Kentucky
Cocktails to Go are permanently Good to Go
A
s of July 1, qualified restaurants, bars and distilleries may sell alcoholic drinks to go
on a permanent basis.
The General Assembly of Virginia had voted on several occasions to extend earlier,
pandemic-related laws allowing such sales, but these temporary measures were set to expire
on July 1. However, Governor Glenn Youngkin recently signed House Bill 688 and Senate Bill
635, which allow restaurants, bars and distilleries to permanently sell alcohol to-go.
In March 2020, then-Governor Ralph Northam announced that any Virginia restaurant, bar
or distillery licensed to sell alcohol on-premises could now do so for delivery or carry-out
without the need for additional authorization. This was critical from an economic standpoint
because the pandemic-era ban on public gatherings was making it difficult for small
businesses to generate revenue.
Although the worst aspects of the pandemic have subsided, the economy is still threatened
by other factors. These bills are intended to help stabilize the economy, especially the food
and beverage service industry.
SPIRITED VIRGINIA | JULY | AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2024 39
BILLY FELLIN
2024 Q3 Spirited VA

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