AJR88,,112023 ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION 88 November 2, 2023 - Introduced by Representatives Plumer, Dittrich, Emerson, Green, Gundrum, Jacobson, Kitchens, Melotik, Michalski, Nedweski, Penterman, Rettinger, Sapik, Schmidt, Steffen and Swearingen, cosponsored by Senators Tomczyk, Feyen, Quinn and Spreitzer. Referred to Committee on Rules.
AJR88,,22Relating to: declaring the brandy old-fashioned as Wisconsin’s state cocktail. AJR88,,33Whereas, many Wisconsinites add both fruits and juices to their cocktails, a tradition originating from the Prohibition era; and AJR88,,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 AJR88,,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 AJR88,,66Whereas, Wisconsinites increasingly substituted brandy for other spirits in cocktails, making brandy a staple throughout the state; and AJR88,,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 AJR88,,88Whereas, a Wisconsin-style old-fashioned traditionally consists of muddled brandy, bitters, sugar, and ice; and AJR88,,99Whereas, Wisconsinites often add a soft drink, sour mix, club soda, or a combination thereof to their old-fashioned; and AJR88,,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 AJR88,,1111Whereas, the old-fashioned has become an unmistakable symbol of Wisconsin, its residents, and its unique culture; now, therefore, be it AJR88,,1212Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the members of the Wisconsin Legislature declare the brandy old-fashioned to be Wisconsin’s state cocktail.
