National Sangria Day is a holiday that falls on the 20th of December every year and recognizes the now-iconic drink, Sangria. This mixed drink from Spain is made from a combination of either red or white wine that contains some kind of fruit juice and may even contain chunks of fruit as well.

It can also contain other ingredients such as spices, herbs, and various liquors. The word “Sangria” means “bloodletting” in Spanish, a name given to it because of its blood-red color.

The History of Sangria

Although the origins of this drink can’t be pinned down exactly, some food historians believe that it dates back to the 18th century in Spain. During this time, it was also popular in England and Greece. Sangria most likely developed from a drink enjoyed in the West Indies during the 17th and 18th centuries.

This drink was known as Sangaree and was made with port or red wine mixed with Batavia Arrack rum, nutmeg, and citrus. Today, sangria is a drink that has an almost endless number of recipe variations.

Although the base always features red wine and some kind of fruit and/or fruit juice, that still leaves a lot of different options. Some recipes call for an additional liquor to be added to the drink to increase alcohol content.

Most traditional forms of sangria are made with fruits that are locally sourced in Spain. This includes apples, pears, peaches, nectarines, or berries. However, people also use globally sourced fruits in this drink, such as lime or pineapples. The latest version of this drink to hit the scene is Sangria Bianca—a sangria drink that’s made with white wine.

Fun Facts About Sangria

We weren’t just mixing up sangria while we were writing up this holiday. We were also researching some of the best facts about this drink. Below are some of the bits of trivia we’ve discovered during our research.

• “Sangre” in Portuguese means “blood.” The word “Sangria” descends from this word.
• The comedian Adam Carolla invented a version of sangria known as Mangria. This drink is three parts red wine, one part orange juice, and one part vodka.
• Popular wines for sangria include Rioja, Beaujolais, Sangiovese, and Pinot Noir.
• Sangria was introduced to the U.S. during the 1964 World’s Fair in New York City.

Observing National Sangria Day

National Sangria Day can be enjoyed simply by mixing up your favorite version of Red Sangria or Sangria Bianca. You can also invent your own sangria recipe on this day if you’re feeling a bit adventurous. You can also use the hashtag #NationalSangriaDay with a picture of your creation and post it to your social media accounts.