Pennsylvania-based distillery turns official drink into fundraiser to benefit rare diseases
(Harrisburg, Pa. / May 2, 2024) Two leading statewide liquor industry associations are joining forces this year to declare Pennsylvania’s Official Summer Adult Cocktail of 2024, while one Pennsylvania-based distillery says they’ll use the official drink to raise funds to benefit those suffering from rare diseases.
The Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association (PLBTA) along with the Pennsylvania Federation of Fraternal and Social Organizations (PFFSO), both based in Harrisburg, named the Watermelon Crush as Pennsylvania’s Official Summer Adult Cocktail of 2024. In the previous two years, the official drink was the Orange Crush and the Bloody Mary.
“We’ve named some tasty drinks that Pennsylvania adults have enjoyed since our state’s official summer cocktail program started,” said Chuck Moran, executive director of the PLBTA. “We hope citizens across the state will try a Watermelon Crush this summer while enjoying time with family and friends.”
Ted Mowatt, executive director of the PFFSO said, “We’re declaring a refreshing adult drink as the state’s official summer cocktail that I know Pennsylvanians will enjoy, especially as the summer temperatures climb.”
Both Mowatt and Moran urge bar and club patrons to ask their bartenders for a Watermelon Crush this summer, and are encouraging their Members to put this drink on their summer drink menus.
Raising Funds For Rare Diseases
Meanwhile, Holla Spirits, based in York County, has agreed to make a donation to Uplifting Athletes for every bottle of their watermelon lollipop-flavored vodka sold to a bar or club this summer to make the official drink, or ordered online directly from consumers.
Patrick Shorb, founder of Holla Spirits and a rare disease survivor, says for him this is an opportunity to work on an issue close to his heart. The Penn State grad says he’s thankful for past care he received and is delighted his company can help raise funds for Uplifting Athletes.
“Every year, as part of our mission, Holla Spirits works to find ways to assist those facing life-changing illnesses,” said Shorb. “A diagnosis of a rare disease is shocking and scary to the patient and the patient’s family. The more we can do to raise funds for research and patient assistance the better.”
Both Moran and Mowatt say that it’s great to see how the official summer adult cocktail can be turned into a fundraiser. They challenge other distilleries to do the same.
Rob Long, executive director of Uplifting Athletes, knows how life changing a rare disease can be. The former Syracuse punter with a high likelihood of playing in the NFL saw his life change after being diagnosed with anaplastic astrocytoma, a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer.
“There’s so much work to be done to fight rare diseases and help those who just had their world turned upside down,” said Long. “It’s certainly reassuring that there are many caring individuals and businesses that step up to the plate to play a role in fighting this battle.”
Uplifting Athletes is a nonprofit organization founded in 2007 that harnesses the power of sport to build a community that invests in the lives of the more than 30 million people impacted by rare diseases in America. Since its inception, Uplifting Athletes has raised more than $9 million by engaging athletes to positively impact the rare disease community through driving action, awareness, and funding research. To learn more about Uplifting Athletes, visit upliftingathletes.org.
Watermelon Crush Recipe
1.5 oz vodka (using Holla Watermelon Lollipop Vodka will result in a donation being made to Uplifting Athletes)
.5 oz Triple Sec
Equal parts watermelon juice and lemon lime soda
