Bill Text: NJ AJR174 | 2026-2027 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates Vodka Cranberry as State cocktail.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)
Status: (Introduced) 2026-05-07 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee [AJR174 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2026-AJR174-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman MAUREEN ROWAN
District 2 (Atlantic)
SYNOPSIS
Designates Vodka Cranberry as State cocktail.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating the Vodka Cranberry as the New Jersey State cocktail and supplementing chapter 9A of Title 52 of the Revised Statutes.
Whereas, New Jersey is referred to as the Garden State, with a rich agricultural history including the farming of commercial cranberries since 1835 in Burlington County; and
Whereas, New Jersey is the third largest cranberry-producing State in the United States, and its cranberry harvest generates approximately $20 million in annual economic value; and
Whereas, The history of cranberries in New Jersey predates the arrival of the first European settlers, and it is known that the Lenni Lenape people harvested wild cranberries to use as both medicine and food; and
Whereas, Cranberry cultivation is deeply tied to the history and identity of the Pine Barrens, a unique ecological and cultural region within New Jersey, and the preservation and continued use of this crop represents an enduring connection to the State's natural resources and heritage; and
Whereas, The official New Jersey State juice is cranberry juice, a key ingredient in the Vodka Cranberry cocktail; and
Whereas, New Jersey is home to a thriving craft distillery industry with more than 20 craft distilleries operating in the State; and
Whereas, Monmouth County hosts the oldest licensed distillery in the United States, licensed in 1780; and
Whereas, New Jersey has a vibrant coastal tourism industry, and the Vodka Cranberry is a popular beverage in beach communities as it is commonly associated with casual dining and summer recreation; and
Whereas, Designating an official State cocktail presents opportunities to promote New Jersey's agricultural products, hospitality industry, and tourism sector, as it can be incorporated into marketing initiatives, events, and branding efforts that highlight locally sourced ingredients and regional identity; and
Whereas, A number of other states have designated state cocktails, so it is fitting and proper to formally recognize the significance of cranberries to the history and culture of this State and its people by designating the Vodka Cranberry as the State cocktail; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The Vodka Cranberry is designated as the New Jersey State Cocktail.
2. This joint resolution
shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill designates the Vodka Cranberry as the State cocktail.
New Jersey is referred to as the Garden State, boasting a rich agricultural history including the farming of commercial cranberries since 1835 in Burlington County. New Jersey is currently the third largest cranberry-producing State in the United States, with its cranberry harvest generating approximately $20 million in annual economic value. Due to the cranberry production in this State, the official New Jersey State juice is cranberry juice, which is a key ingredient in the Vodka Cranberry cocktail.
The long history of cranberries in New Jersey predates the arrival of the first European settlers. It is known that the Lenni Lenape people harvested wild cranberries to use as both medicine and food. Cranberry cultivation is deeply tied to the history and identity of the Pine Barrens, a unique ecological and cultural region within New Jersey, and the preservation and continued use of this crop represents an enduring connection to the State's natural resources and heritage.
New Jersey is home to a thriving craft distillery industry with more than 20 craft distilleries operating in the State. The oldest licensed distillery in the United States, which was licensed in 1780, is located in Monmouth County. New Jersey has a vibrant coastal tourism industry, and the Vodka Cranberry is a popular beverage in beach communities as it is commonly associated with casual dining and summer recreation
Designating an official State cocktail presents opportunities to promote New Jersey's agricultural products, hospitality industry, and tourism sector, as it can be incorporated into marketing initiatives, events, and branding efforts that highlight locally sourced ingredients and regional identity. A number of other states have designated state cocktails, so it is appropriate to formally recognize the significance of cranberries to the history and culture of this State and its people by designating the Vodka Cranberry as the State cocktail.
