New York distillers move into cocktails

A law has been passed that allows craft distillers in the state of New York to sell visitors cocktails as well as straight serves.

Spirits from Black Button distillery in Rochester

As reported by the Wall Street Journal, the move came into effect last Saturday under the Craft New York Act, designed to ease regulations and promote growth within the craft spirits industry.

The new law opens the door to cocktails by allowing micro distillers to serve 1.5 ounce pours rather than the 0.25 ounce pours previously permitted, without having to obtain a separate licence.

“Straight shots turn some people off; that’s not how they drink at home,” Jason Barrett, head distiller at Black Button Distilling in Rochester, told the WSJ.

Visitors had previously asked for tonic water to mix with the spirits, but Barrett wasn’t legally allowed to serve it.

In response to the new law, Hudson Valley Distillers in Clermont plans to open a cocktail cafe serving local charcuterie, while Dutch’s Spirits in Pine Plains will build a farm-to-table restaurant on site.

Black Button meanwhile, is planning to rent out its century-old building for parties and events.

New York’s “farm distillers”, which must source at least 75% of their raw materials in-state, have grown from 10 to 61 since 2011 according to the New York State Liquor Authority.