The size cap is one of the few numbers in the statute, which makes it easy to check and easy to fail if your cups were bought for on-premises service.
Regulations in our system last verified on August 29, 2026
The short answer
When a cocktail containing distilled alcohol is placed in a non-original container, the maximum container capacity is 16 fluid ounces. This is a cap on container capacity, not a recommended pour size.
Capacity, not fill line
A 20 ounce container filled to 14 ounces is still a 20 ounce container. Audit the capacity printed on your packaging, or measure one with water.
New Jersey law caps a non-original cocktail container at 16 fluid ounces.
What to do: Confirm every to-go cocktail container you use holds 16 fluid ounces or less.
New Jersey S-4384 (2026) · Section 1 · NJ-CTG-005 v1
New Jersey law requires cocktails sold to-go to be in a closed and sealed container.
What to do: Move to a container that can be fully closed and sealed before it leaves your premises.
New Jersey S-4384 (2026) · Section 1 · NJ-CTG-003 v1
New Jersey S-4384 — Permanent Alcoholic Beverage To-Go Law
New Jersey Legislature
Effective August 28, 2026 · Status current · Verified in our system August 29, 2026
View the official sourceNJ ABC Advisory Notice AN 2020-06 — Cocktails-To-Go
New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control
Effective June 2, 2020 · Status partially superseded · Verified in our system August 29, 2026
View the official sourceGovernor of New Jersey — August 28, 2026 Cocktails-To-Go Signing Announcement
Office of the Governor
Effective August 28, 2026 · Status current explanatory · Verified in our system August 29, 2026
View the official sourceNJ to-go packaging requirements
Which containers work, which ones ABC has flagged as unacceptable.
Tamper-evident seal requirements
What counts as a tamper-evident closure in New Jersey.
Full NJ cocktails-to-go requirements
The complete requirement list, split into law and ABC guidance.
Packaging and label suppliers
Vendors for tamper-evident containers, labels and training.
This page provides general regulatory information about New Jersey alcohol-to-go rules and is not legal advice. Requirements can change and can vary by license type and municipality. Confirm your situation with the New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control or qualified counsel.
