Cocktails: Because these contain alcohol, it is illegal to possess or consume them in any public place in Charleston, including when walking on the street. Even discretely carrying a cocktail in a cup, bottle, or thermos violates the open container and public drinking ordinances.
Mocktails: These are non-alcoholic beverages crafted to look and taste like cocktails. There are no restrictions under Charleston’s laws regarding carrying or consuming mocktails in public. Since mocktails contain no alcohol, you can walk or stand in public places with them freely.
Practical Consideration: If you’re carrying a beverage in public and it might be mistaken for alcohol (for example, a mocktail in a red Solo cup), be prepared to explain to law enforcement what’s actually in your cup. While there’s no law against mocktails, practicality suggests using different, perhaps clear containers or leaving commercial labels on non-alcoholic drinks to reduce confusion.
