A boozy battle: Maryland, Delaware in spirited debate to make ‘orange crush' their official cocktail
A boozy battle is brewing between Maryland and Delaware — with both states designating the 'orange crush' as their official cocktails.
Lawmakers in Maryland voted Monday to approve the orange crush as the Old Line state's official state cocktail.
'We have to set the record straight and we need to show our Maryland pride,' Wayne Hartman (R), a member of the House of Delegates, said as he noted the potential economic impact and urged the passage of the 'original orange crush as the state cocktail of Maryland.'
But the move came amid an liquor-soaked war of sorts: Less than a year ago, Delaware beat Maryland to the alcoholic punch and named the orange crush as its official cocktail.
The orange crush — made by mixing fresh-squeezed orange juice with lemon-lime soda, orange vodka and triple sec — is said to have originated in Ocean City, Md.
But in legislation signed last August by then-Delaware Gov. John Carney (D) denoting it as the official state cocktail, orange crushes were described as having been 'made famous and become synonymous with Dewey Beach, Del.'
'Be it affirmed, the Orange Crush — made from vodka, Grand Marnier and fresh juice, topped with soda, an orange wedge and mint leaf — is now the official cocktail in the state of Delaware,' Carney said at the time.
'Delaware stole this from Maryland,' Hartman told The Baltimore Banner earlier this year.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) is expected to sign the cocktail-focused legislation — and 'will surely be having an orange crush to celebrate,' a spokesman told the publication — which would take effect on June 1.
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