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National Sangria Day

Drink · December 20

A day for sangria, the chilled punch of wine, chopped fruit and a little sweetness, made by the pitcher and poured for a group.

National Sangria Day falls on Sunday, December 20, 2026. That is 54 days away.

Sangria is wine that has been given company. Red wine is the usual base, mixed with sliced oranges, lemons, apples or berries, a bit of sugar or juice, and sometimes a splash of brandy. It sits in a pitcher for a while so the fruit and wine trade flavors, then it is poured over ice.

The drink comes from Spain and Portugal, and it still carries a sense of long afternoons and shared tables. Nobody really makes one glass of sangria. It arrives in a pitcher or a punch bowl, which means it is usually made for a group.

Recipes wander freely. White wine versions lean toward peaches, pears and citrus. Rosé works too. Some people top the glass with sparkling water for a lighter pour, and others add cinnamon or a few slices of fresh ginger. The fruit at the bottom is part of the reward, soaked and soft by the time the pitcher runs low.

The resting time matters more than the exact recipe. A few hours in the fridge lets the fruit give up its juice, while a batch left overnight can turn the citrus peel a little bitter. Fruit-and-juice versions without wine follow the same method and fill a pitcher just as nicely.

The last glass from the pitcher usually has the most fruit in it, and someone at the table always notices.

Ways to celebrate

• Make a pitcher of sangria with whatever fruit is in season.
• Try a white wine or rosé version instead of red.
• Mix an alcohol-free sangria with grape juice and sliced citrus.
• Share a pitcher with friends over a long, slow meal.

Things for the day

• Drink pitchers

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Dates

All national days on December 20

Also on December 20

• U.S. Space Force Birthday
• Games Day
• Go Caroling Day
• Mudd Day
• Sacagawea Day

Categories: Drink days