Fayetteville: North Carolina’s Most Popular Christmas Food
Christmas Day is just days away when we will open presents and feast with our family all the various Christmas foods that we’ve all come to know and love throughout the years. MSN recently did a survey and found out what states in the United States had a favorite food for Christmas and what it was. Some states picked Honey Baked Ham; some chose Cheesecake, Lamp Stew, Elk Stakes, and more.
North Carolina
North Carolina was a bit different as their favorite holiday meal is not a meal, but a drink with a little fruit. North Carolina’s favorite holiday treat is Cheerwine, Holiday Punch.
A Little Cheerwine History
Cheerwine is a cherry-flavored soft drink by Carolina Beverage Corporation of Salisbury, North Carolina. It has been produced since 1917, claiming to be “the oldest continuing soft drink company still operated by the same family.
In case you don’t know, Cheerwine has a mildly sweet flavor with strong cherry notes, most notably black cherry; is burgundy-colored; and has an unusually high degree of carbonation compared to other soft drinks. But most of us know and love the soft drink flavor of our state.
According to the Cheerwine website, back in 1917, the Maysville Syrup Company of Maysville, Kentucky, went bankrupt. At the time, L.D. Peeler, Hughston Kirby, Kurt Weinmann, and other invested businessmen purchased the company’s assets, moved them to North Carolina, and set up the Carolina Syrup Company.
That same year, Peeler, Kirby, and Weinmann purchased a recipe for a cherry-flavored soda from a Saint Louis flavor salesman, which was then sold as a product for the new company under the name “Cheerwine.” Though it has been around since 1917, Cheerwine first became a registered trademark in 1926.
For the holiday, Cheerwine gets a bit different and requires a recipe.
Making Holiday Cheerwine Punch
Cheerwine Punch is a refreshing recipe that’s been passed down and loved for generations. Easy to make for parties, celebrations, and especially a tradition at the holidays.
Ingredients
Two 2-liter bottles of Cheerwine, chilled
One 2-liter bottle of ginger ale, chilled
Two 46-ounce cans unsweetened pineapple juice, chilled
Instructions
Combine ingredients and serve immediately. For variations, add ice ring, scoops of sherbet, champagne, or a spirit.
Then – tip some holiday Cheerwine back next week and enjoy the holidays!
