Move to name a state drink gets bum’s rush in Nevada Senate

CARSON CITY – Sorry guys in the Assembly, even on Memorial Day you can’t name “Picon Punch” the official drink of Nevada.

That was the message Sen. David Parks, D-Las Vegas, and his fellow senators sent Monday when the Assembly stuck a Picon Punch amendment into Senate Bill 436, a bill to set up a fund for donations to the state Parks Division.

Earlier this session, senators killed legislation to establish a state dog breed, which many considered a waste of time. But on Memorial Day, most considered the Picon Punch amendment just downright silly.

Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki, the president of the Senate, noted it seemed like more than all 21 members voted to reject the bill, sending it back to the Assembly for removal of the amendment. Some lobbyists on the second floor gallery of the chambers apparently joined in the voice vote.

Picon Punch is a traditional drink served in Basque restaurants. Its ingredients, at least those followed by Louis’ Basque Corner in Reno, are: Fill a glass with ice, one teaspoon grenadine, 1.5 ounces of Amer and a shot of seltzer water. Splash with brandy and add a lemon twist peel. Drink a couple and you won’t remember Memorial Day.

After the amendment was rejected, Krolicki announced, “with that, happy hour has ended.”