Imagine a day full of pure enjoyment with a revitalizing glass of fruity sangria. That is what the National Sangria Day exactly refers to!
This national event is celebrated on December 20th and inspires all its participants to raise their glasses and toast to this marvelous Spanish punch.
Sangria is this sweet mixture of wine and fresh fruits with a splash of soda or juice in it, historic in taste and flavor that brightens up any event.
So, go grab your favorite fruits, mix up a batch, and join in the fun of National Sangria Day! Cheers!
How did Sangria become a popular drink?
Due to its refreshing taste and beautiful colors, sangria became a very popular drink. Hailing from Spain, this cocktail was initially prepared with red wine, fresh fruits, and some brandy or soda.
Tourists who visited Spain loved the fruity and flavored drink, and they began to spread the word about it.
Soon, restaurants and pubs around the world started publishing their versions of sangria, which usually had their own tweaks with different fruits and wine.
Its popularity grew in because it is easy to prepare, perfect for a party, and enjoyed by many people for its delightful and festivity nature.
What are some creative Sangria recipes to try on National Sangria Day?
It is the perfect day to indulge in great and heavenly recipes of sangria on National Sangria Day. Here are a few fun ways to celebrate the day:
Tropical Sangria
- Ingredients: White wine-such as Sauvignon Blanc, pineapple, mango, kiwi, orange juice, and splash coconut rum.
- Directions: Mix wine, tropical fruits, and orange juice. Chill in fridge a few hours before serving. Finish with a splash of coconut rum just before serving. Off on sunny vacation!
Berry Delicious Sangria
- Red wine like Merlot, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, lemon, and wee bit of honey.
Instructions
- Dip the top of wine into fresh berries, lemons, and a little bit of honey. It needs to stay for two hours in the refrigerator where all the flavors join up together to become very perfect harmony. And voilà, refreshing treat full of berries!
Citrus Fizz Sangria
- Prosecco, oranges, lemons, limes, splash of club soda, and fresh mint sprigs.
- Instructions: Mix the citrus fruits and mint. Add Prosecco. Then top with a splash of club soda. This is a great fizzy cocktail for those who love sparkling cocktail.
Spiced Apple Sangria
- White wine – Chardonnay (or white of your choice), Apples slices, cinnamon sticks and a couple of cloves. Sprinkle only a drop of brandy.
- Directions: Steep your wine with sliced apples, cinnamon, and cloves. Add a dash of brandy, refrigerate, and let the warmth of spices infuse through and through.
This will get you that warm-weather sangria for the autumn months.
Peach & Basil Sangria
- Rosé wine
- Peaches
- Fresh basil
- Lemon
Pinch of agave syrup
- Directions: Toss peaches, lemon slices and basil leaves with rosé wine and agug of agave. Mix well and put it into the fridge so that all the flavors infuse. This is fresh fragrant, and scrumptious, all on a different level with basil and peach as the main mix of sangria.
Time to mark your calendars for National Sangria Day; get those creative juices ready!
What are some common mistakes to avoid when making Sangria?
Making sangria can be easy and enjoyable, but it is common to have several mistakes which should be avoided to perfect the drink. Here are some important tips to know:
Poor Wine Quality
Since wine is the base of sangria, poor-quality wine will definitely affect its taste. You can use a mid-range wine that you enjoy drinking straight since the flavor will still shine through after mixing with fruits and other ingredients.
Not Chilling it Long Enough
One of the nice things about sangria is how its flavors get combined over a period. If you keep it refrigerated for less than an hour or even overnight, it will definitely not let the fruits mingle with wine, infusing it with yummy flavors.
Too Much Fruit
While fruit is a must for good sangria, too much fruit will drown the drink. Just use enough fruit to flavor the wine without drowning it in it. A mix of citrus, berries, or stone fruits usually works well.
Not adjusting sweetness
Other fruits will add a little natural sweetness to the mixture; for example, oranges and apples. However, from what you’re saying, you may need to tone it a bit on the sugar. When your sangria becomes too sour for you, adding a bit of sugar or honey can balance it. Over the other side, squeezing citrus juice over the sangria brings out the excess sugar on your mixture.
Lack of Proper Spirits
But what you can do to improve it is to add some brandy or liquor with a little quantity, do not add too much since excess liquid will overpower the wines and fruits. You do it just sparingly to suit eye taste while doing it so it does not go to excess.
Serve it Too Soon
Do not drink your sangria right after mixing. Allow it to chill and steep for a few hours or overnight to allow the flavors to mature and meld together.
Not Adding Fizz (When You Want It)
If you enjoy your sangria with some fizz, then don’t forget to add sparkling water, soda, or even sparkling wine just before serving. That will give your sangria a refreshing fizz.
Avoid all these common mistakes, and your sangria will surely be well-balanced, flavorful, and the darling of the party!
What are some unique Sangria recipes from different countries?
Here are some unique sangria recipes from other countries that you can try:
Spanish Red Sangria (Spain)
- Red wine
- Brandy
- Orange
- Lemon
- Apple
- Sugar
- Cinnamon
- Soda water
This is the classic Spanish sangria. The citrus fruits add an excellent flavor, along with the brandy added for an extra depth.
Sangria Blanco (Spain)
- White wine like Sauvignon Blanc
- Peach
- Lemon
- Mint
- Orange liqueur
Refreshing white wine version of sangria with juicy peaches and a burst of citrus.
Clericot (Argentina)
- Ingredients: White wine, apple, pear, strawberry, orange juice, sugar
- A fruity, white wine-based sangria that just so happens to be pretty popular in Argentina, using locally sourced fruits like apples and pears.
Caipirinha Sangria (Brazil)
- Ingredients: Red wine, cachaça, lime, sugar, orange, pineapple
- The roots of sangria historically trace back to Spain or Portugal, but this mix marries the traditional sangria with the famous Brazilian Caipirinha, adding cachaça for the twist.
- A regional Spanish version prepared with cider instead of wine, so it has a sharp and dry taste.
Sangria Rosada (Mexico)
- Ingredients: Rosé wine, hibiscus flowers, lime, orange, agave syrup
- The Mexican version has the floral flavours of the hibiscus and sweet agave syrup.
Sangria de Frutas Tropicales (Cuba)
- Ingredients: Rum, white wine, tropical fruits like mango, pineapple, papaya, lime
- Tropical Cuban sangria with rum infused into this cocktail with various delectable fruits with the hot and sweet flavors.
Mexico
- Mango and Chili Sangria
- Red wine, mango, chili powder, lime, orange with a shot of tequila
- Hot chillies blended perfectly with sweetness. Mango spice goes into richness-the Mexican flavor.
- These two sangrias celebrate diversity and regional traditions in the mixed flavors with different kinds of regional spirits, one for the other country tradition!
Conclusion
National Sangria Day falls on December 20. This is a great day to try this refreshing drink of fruitiness and flavor that comes from Spain and Portugal. Whether red sangria, tropical white wine, or country-specific version, there is nothing better than this creative ways of celebration. This merrymaking day reminds everyone to come together with fellow members, share drinks, and appreciate the delicious flavors brought by sangrias. So, take out your favorite fruits, wines, and spirits and toast National Sangria Day. Cheers to good times, great company, and unforgettable flavors!
