Cracker Barrel Launches Holiday Menu

With the holiday season just a few weeks away, Cracker Barrel is gearing up with new “exciting festive dishes and beverages." Their 2024 holiday menu will include three new items and four returning favorites.

The first new dish is the Cinnamon Swirl French Toast Breakfast, featuring French toast made with cinnamon streusel bread hand-dipped in Cracker Barrel's signature batter, cooked until golden brown, and topped with cinnamon and cream cheese icing. It is served with a side of two eggs and a choice of thick-sliced bacon or smoked sausage.

The chain is also introducing a new DIY Hot Chocolate Bar, which includes a cup of hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and chocolate sauce, and guests can customize the drink with festive toppings, including holiday cheer sprinkles, chocolate morsels, and a peppermint candy stick.

The new beverage option also includes the Sparkling Plum Mimosa, a sparkling wine with sweet winter fruit flavors and a sprinkle of edible gold glitter.

Favorites returning include Country Fried Turkey, Cracker Barrel’s legendary Broccoli Cheese Casserole, Sugar Plum Tea, and a variety of pies, including Cinnamon Roll, Apple Streusel, Pecan, and Chocolate Pecan, which are always available as whole pies and individual slices. Cracker Barrel is also bringing back their Heat n’ Serve options through the end of December.

I was just discussing a trip to a holiday pop-up bar when this study from our friends at Tasting Table, came through my email about each state's favorite holiday cocktail. With social media playing such an integral role in our society these days holiday-themed bars (and the content they can produce) are ever growing in popularity. I tried to go to one a few weeks ago but there was a two-hour wait on a Friday night. But did hop to one we were able to get in. There I enjoyed two different cocktails including a tropical version of an aperol spritz, as well as a holiday mezcal-based margarita.

With these types of places dominating the scene, there are certainly numerous creative holiday cocktails to try. And as much as I'd like I can't try them all. At home, my go-to favorite holiday cocktail is your basic egg nog, though I also love some spiked hot cider. Or a cranberry mule. But no drink I've referenced yet took the title of North Carolina's favorite holiday cocktail. And actually, it was one I had never heard of!

Nationwide the top choice was a Poinsettia Cocktail, another drink I'm not familiar with. But North Carolina chose a different holiday cocktail for its holiday spirit. NC's libation of choice? A Coquito. This sounds like something I am not familiar with, but should be. According to Tasting Table, the coquito is a "creamy, coconut-y rum concoction topped with cinnamon and nutmeg." Umm yes please I'd like to try now!

I'm letting all of these serve as inspiration for my holidays (though on Christmas my family tends to stick with wine). Keep reading to see NC's top 6 most popular holiday cocktails. Including those that I am more familiar with. Thanks to our friends at Tasting Table for sharing their research with us. You can read their full study here.

Want to make NC's favorite holiday cocktail at home? Try this recipe!

Requiring just three ingredients the poinsettia cocktail is both easy and cost effective to make. You'll need just champagne, triple sec, and cranberry juice. Want to feel even more festive? Splurge on the garnish. I've tried my fair share of cranberry mimosas, but will definitely be trying this one as well.

Nothing says the holidays like eggnog in moose mugs watching Christmas Vacation. You don't even need a recipe just grab some eggnog at the store and spike it with a bourbon of your choice! (Perhaps my plans for tonight?)

I feel like the term Christmas punch can encompass a number of holiday beverages. Possibly why it topped 8 states' list nationwide. And in this list Tasting Table refers to a punch that can be anything your heart desires.

Definitely one of my favorite Christmas cocktails is hot buttered rum. This time of year what is better than a warm festive drink? While it can be made several ways the cocktail typically consists of rum, butter, cider, as well as a sweetener and spices.

Another cocktail served hot and another favorite, is mulled cider. It typically features apple cider, rum or bourbon, and a variety of spices.