SJR84,,112023 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 84 November 7, 2023 - Introduced by Senators Tomczyk, Feyen, Quinn and Spreitzer, cosponsored by Representatives Plumer, Dittrich, Emerson, Green, Gundrum, Jacobson, Kitchens, Melotik, Michalski, Nedweski, Penterman, Rettinger, Sapik, Schmidt, Steffen and Swearingen. Referred to Committee on Senate Organization.
SJR84,,22Relating to: declaring the brandy old-fashioned as Wisconsin’s state cocktail. SJR84,,33Whereas, many Wisconsinites add both fruits and juices to their cocktails, a tradition originating from the Prohibition era; and SJR84,,44Whereas, distilleries across the United States temporarily halted their operations after World War II so that the United States could supply a war-torn Europe with grain, reducing the availability of spirits in Wisconsin; and SJR84,,55Whereas, during this period, brandy became notably popular among Wisconsinites following the discovery and distribution of about 30,000 cases of aged Christian Brothers brandy into the Wisconsin market; and SJR84,,66Whereas, Wisconsinites increasingly substituted brandy for other spirits in cocktails, making brandy a staple throughout the state; and SJR84,,77Whereas, Wisconsin accounts for over half of Korbel’s annual brandy sales in the United States, purchasing over 150,000 cases of Korbel brandy in 2019 alone; and SJR84,,88Whereas, a Wisconsin-style old-fashioned traditionally consists of muddled brandy, bitters, sugar, and ice; and SJR84,,99Whereas, Wisconsinites often add a soft drink, sour mix, club soda, or a combination thereof to their old-fashioned; and SJR84,,1010Whereas, Wisconsinites commonly garnish an old-fashioned with either a sweet garnish, such as oranges or cherries, or a savory garnish, such as olives, pickled mushrooms, or pickled vegetables; and SJR84,,1111Whereas, the old-fashioned has become an unmistakable symbol of Wisconsin, its residents, and its unique culture; now, therefore, be it SJR84,,1212Resolved by the senate, the assembly concurring, That the members of the Wisconsin Legislature declare the brandy old-fashioned to be Wisconsin’s state cocktail.
