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AJR174
ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION
No. 174
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
222nd LEGISLATURE
�
INTRODUCED MAY 7, 2026
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.