Carney signs orange crush bill at The Starboard

Gov. John Carney visited The Starboard in Dewey Beach Aug. 9, to sign an important piece of legislation. With a quick stroke of his right hand, the orange crush officially became the state cocktail. 

The bill was introduced by retiring Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth Beach, as one of his final acts in office. Given that Schwartzkopf hosts a weekly breakfast group at The Starboard, and the bar/restaurant is well known for its iteration of the orange crush, it was the appropriate place to sign the bill. 

In recent weeks, residents of Maryland have taken exception to Delaware “stealing” their drink. After all, the orange crush was created at Harborside in West Ocean City in 1995. The lighthearted rivalry reached the halls of Congress, where Delaware Sen. Chris Coons and Maryland Sen. Ben Cardin faced off in a mixology duel July 30. Cardin took the title, but Delaware retains the orange crush as its state cocktail. 

In a Aug. 9 social media post, Carney shared a photo of himself standing under a sign at The Starboard that said, “Maryland created. Delaware legislated,” with a message to Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, “The orange crush is the official state beverage of the State of Delaware. Gov. Wes Moore, come join us at the The Starboard Restaurant anytime.”