The Manhattan Times

New legislation sponsored by Sen. Espaillat has now been signed into law by Gov. Cuomo that cracks down on the selling of the “Nutcracker” drink, the sugary alcoholic beverage often sold out of barbershops in northern Manhattan.

This past Fri., Aug. 19th, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed into law a bill sponsored by State Senator Adriano Espaillat (D – Manhattan/Bronx) that would crack down on the selling of sugary, colorful, and strong alcoholic drinks, often known as the “nutcracker.”

“The deadly consequences of mixing alcohol with minors are well known and especially dangerous when the alcohol is sold in the form of fruity, easy to drink beverages that are targeted towards young people,” said Senator Adriano Espaillat. “The law will close loopholes and crack down on unscrupulous barbershops that sell the nutcracker and other varieties of the drink. I commend Governor Cuomo for signing our bill and look forward to taking further steps to protect the safety and well-being of young New Yorkers.”

The nutcracker generally combines multiple types of hard liquor including vodka, whiskey, and rum with sugary juices like Kool-Aid. It is sold out of many barbershops in Northern Manhattan and the Bronx. A loophole in the old law allowed barbershops to continue to operate, even after they were caught selling the nutcracker.