It’s official: Lemonade is Arizona’s state drink

PHOENIX – When life gives you lemons, make it the state drink.

Gov. Doug Ducey on Monday signed legislation declaring lemonade the official drink of Arizona.

Republican Rep. Warren Petersen, the House majority leader, introduced the bill after being lobbied by a Gilbert high school student.

It passed the House almost unanimously in February but needed two tries to get through the Senate.

After the bill was voted down 12-18 in April, one senator proposed margaritas instead, another objected to glorifying a sugary beverage, and others thought it was silly to waste time on a lemonade bill while a state budget plan languished.

Democratic Sen. Juan Mendez said pushing the measure as a civics lesson for high school students ignored more important issues many students back — namely gun control.

Sen. Eddie Farnsworth revived the bill with a motion to reconsider, and it passed 18-11 on May 6.

A day later, Ducey told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Mac & Gaydos, “I’m a fan of lemonade, in general.”

The entire text of the new law is: “Lemonade is the official state drink.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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