Christmas is a lovely time to get together with family and friends and enjoy the company of others, plus have a Christmas drink. Really, it’s always magical to be surrounded by family and friends, but around the holidays, it seems cozier and more inviting. Christmas offers a time to be thankful for each other, and that means thanking friends and family members who have been there through thick and thin. One way to thank them is with delicious food around the holidays, but what about a tasty and festive drink? A report out on Nov. 21 shows the most popular Christmas drinks in each state, and it’s fun to see where this state lands.
The Most Popular Christmas Drink in Pennsylvania
Before we get into the most popular Christmas drink in the state, let’s talk about eggnog, because when it comes to traditional holiday drinks, eggnog universally tops the tally. So, where did this festive drink originate?
“The term was first recorded in the US in the late 18th century, and first linked to Christmas in 1793, when a Virginian newspaper reported on an evening of eggnog-fuelled ‘mirth and festivity,'” National Geographic magazine notes of its origins. “However, the drink has its roots in the medieval British posset. Milky and sweet, these drinks were originally regarded as medicinal tonics and sleep aids — a convenient vehicle for Lady Macbeth to drug Duncan’s guards under the guise of a nice, warm nightcap.”
Simply Recipes defines eggnog as “a traditional holiday drink dating back hundreds of years, eggnog is made with eggs (hence the name), milk, cream, spices like nutmeg and vanilla, and fortified with rum, whisky, and/or brandy.” Of course, the alcohol is optional, and a lot of eggnog is served without it. Believe it or not, this writer has actually never experienced eggnog yet. Perhaps this is the year.
The crew at Tasting Table have a new feature out about the most popular holiday drinks in each state. “This holiday season, we scoured the internet to discover each state’s most popular Christmas drink — and you may be surprised to learn which merry libation nabbed the top spot in your area,” they note in the feature.
So, let’s get to our state. It’s simply “Christmas punch.” In the piece, Simply Recipes notes, “The beauty of Christmas punch is that it can look a little different in every household, although certain ingredients are common staples.” So, holiday punch, no matter what unique flavors are added to it, is the top holiday drink in the state.
Anne Erickson started her radio career shortly after graduating from Michigan State University and has worked on-air in Detroit, Flint, Toledo, Lansing and beyond. As someone who absolutely loves rock, metal and alt music, she instantly fell in love with radio and hasn’t looked back. When she’s not working, Anne makes her own music with her band, Upon Wings, and she also loves cheering on her favorite Detroit and Michigan sports teams, especially Lions and MSU football. Anne is also an award-winning journalist, and her byline has run in a variety of national publications. You can also hear her weekends on WRIF.