Las Vegas has a reputation as a city that knows how to showcase creative products and ideas. It comes as no surprise that many local businesses were quick to adopt the popular trend of alcohol-infused gourmet dessert products. Wine ice cream, margarita popsicles, vodka-infused whipped cream garnishes and more are all popping up on menus across the city. But you may be asking – am I required to confirm a guest is 21 or older in order to sell or serve these products? The answer is YES. Ice cream may be a favorite treat of the younger crowds, but TAM® Card holders must be extra vigilant in ensuring that alcohol-infused products are only sold to those ages 21 and over.
Creative establishments across Las Vegas including BLVD Creamery, the Neapolitan, Regal Cinemas, and Galaxy Theatres, and retail products available from makers such as SnoBar, Mercer’s Dairy are all offering unique products aimed at the 21 and up crowd.
Nevada law regulates alcoholic beverages and products containing one-half of 1 percent or more alcohol by volume, may not be consumed by anyone younger than 21 years of age (Nevada Revised Statutes).
What does this means for servers and sellers? Here are some tips to keep in mind if you’re planning to serve up an alcohol-infused sweet treat:
- Just like with any alcoholic beverage, it’s best to consume these alcoholic products in moderation. Each SnoBar ice pop, for example, holds the equivalent amount alcohol as one standard-size cocktail.
- In the case of infused whipped creams and garnishes, make sure to include the alcohol content in your overall calculation of alcohol for any drinks you whip up! Topping off an alcoholic coffee beverage with infused whipped cream could pack an extra punch, which should not be overlooked.
- Double check that your guests are being served exactly what they ordered. If you deliver an alcohol-infused product to a guest, aside from visually inspecting to make sure that they are receiving their correct order, you can repeat the beverage or dessert name to the patron upon delivery to confirm with them that they are receiving exactly what they ordered. If another staff member delivers to order to your patrons for you, swing by to make sure the order is correct and they are happy with their selection.
- Make sure that alcopops and alcohol-infused desserts sold off-premises are displayed in areas dedicated to alcoholic products and are clearly labeled. It is also important to make sure that employees working at the checkout counters are properly trained to be aware of the contents and to check identification.
- Servers and sellers should observe their guests just as they would if the guest was consuming a traditional alcoholic beverage and watch for signs of increased intoxication. Your mandatory alcohol awareness course will teach you what to watch for, and how to handle these situations.
For more tips on safe beverage service, complete your alcohol awareness training and obtain your TAM® Card today. Our courses are offered online, and in locations across the state of Nevada.
If you’ve recently completed a TAM Card class online or in our Las Vegas office, did you remember to fill out the customer survey? As a token of thanks for our students’ participation, we enter survey respondents into a quarterly drawing for a $25Amazon.com gift card prize. Congratulations to Ashby A., winner of our most recent quarterly gift card giveaway for filling out the TAM of Nevada Customer Survey!
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