North Carolina: This Is Our 2023 Most Popular Christmas Drink

Tasting Table recently detailed the most popular Christmas drink in every state, and the choice in North Carolina is surprising.

"Just what beverage puts you in the Christmas spirit may depend on in which U.S. state you live," they said.

Holiday drinks can make you feel joy before you even take a sip. That's because they represent being in great company and celebrating the season. Krafty Christmas concoctions are welcomed with a wide range of festive options. Whether you are partying with friends and family, curling up by the fire to watch a holiday movie, or out at the company bash, these drinks are often part of the experience.

Tasting Table explained that the poinsettia cocktail is the most popular drink this year. This is a nice mix of champagne, triple sec, and cranberry juice. If you really want to make it catch the eye, you can add a little pine or mint garnish to make the red and green colors pop. Moreover, 12 states point to the poinsettia cocktail as their favorite drink this holiday season.

Nonetheless, North Carolina was part of a group that chose another popular Christmas drink as the favorite for 2022.

Tasting Table detailed that North Carolina, Iowa, Texas, New Jersey, Florida, Maryland, and Kentucky are all pouring rum this season. By analyzing search data and Google trends, it was determined that there was an increase in popularity for the coquito.

"If you're looking to branch out from the typical cranberry and mulled wine holiday beverages, you may want to try coquito, which means "little coconut," Tasting Table explained.

Here is all you need to create a great Christmas version of this drink. With a base of coconut milk (condensed milk), mix in vanilla, coconut cream, rum, spices, and  To really pump up the festive spirit, you can add in peppermint garnishes and cinnamon sticks.

On Wednesday, December 27, North Carolina will play their last game of the season in Charlotte (Duke's Mayo Bowl vs. West Virginia). With Drake Maye being one of the top prospects in the 2024 NFL draft, it's time to take a look at three potential landing destinations for the star quarterback.

UNC is coming off a 8-4 record this season. Although his statistics were not as high as last year, Maye still had an incredible year, throwing for 3,608 yards and 24 touchdowns. At just 21 years old, Maye is the ideal size for a NFL quarterback, standing 6 foot 4.

Many of the top players have still to officially declare for the draft. Yet, the expectation is that all the names we are seeing atop the mock draft boards will be moving up to the next level. There have been eyes on this year's class for a few years now. That's largely due to the generational quarterback pool.

USC's Caleb Williams is a safe assumption to be the first overall pick. That's where things can get tricky. The Carolina Panthers currently have the worst record at 1-11. However, due to last year's trade, the Chicago Bears own their pick. Do the Bears need or want a QB? They just drafted Justin Fields. Of course, we still have the NFL combine, player pro days, and team meetings ahead of us. Much can change in that time. Still, I believe Maye will be the next quarterback taken after Williams.

To further emphasize how deep (and potentially special)  this class is, three of the four Heisman Trophy finalists this season are quarterbacks. None of them are named Caleb Williams or Drake Maye (Jayden Daniels, Bo Nix, Michael Penix Jr.)

Come April, we can see as many as 10 NFL teams in need of a new quarterback.  Here are three NFL teams that have a good probability of selecting in the top five picks of the NFL draft, where Drake Maye will likely be taken.

Mac Jones may be handing his #10 jersey to another #10. With Jones expecting to be gone in New England, the Patriots will be one of the many teams interested in Maye. Their record also indicates they will have a top pick. What makes this equally intriguing is the fact that Maye could come into the Patriots at the same time as a new coach.

This would be a fantastic landing spot for Maye. Daniel Jones is out for year with his knee injury. The Giants could once again use a fresh start. Maye has many of the characteristics of a tough traditional Meadowlands quarterback, much like Phil Simms or Eli Manning. Maye has the demeanor, confidence, and intangible attributes to be the new face of this franchise.

Here's the wildcard of the bunch, and perhaps a stretch. Why? Because the Vikings will have to trade and move up to have a realistic chance at Maye. Crowd-favorite Kirk Cousins tore his achillies and doesn't have the long-term contract to fall back on. Furthermore, head couch Kevin O'Connell was a NFL quarterback himself. A young guy coming and developing under his tutelage would be a welcomed change that sets up Maye with support and success. It also doesn't hurt when you a guy like Justin Jefferson in house to throw the ball to.