Dec. 20 is National Sangria Day . . .

I've always thought of sangria as a summer sipper, but it's so damn good I don't mind drinking it 365 days a year. And since Dec. 20 is National Sangria Day, here's an excuse to drink even more at these local spots serving some of the best in the city:

At Coobah in Lakeview, you'll find a recipe that originated in the Dominican Republic. Pitchers are regularly $18, but lucky for you every Tuesday they're marked down to $6. There's also live Latin music.

Water Tower Place newcomer FOODEase serves several wines on tap, including a very special concoction of white or red sangria. They throw in a bunch of fruit, of course, so if you're shopping along the Mag Mile, stop in for a glass or two.

Jake Melnick's offers a seasonal sangria of clove studded oranges, fall spices and a cabernet base, by the glass. It's typically a sports bar filled with a bunch of guys drinking beer, so this may be a good spot for a girls' night out.

At Mercat a la Planxa, you will find three different types of the juicy stuff. There's a seasonal sangria of strawberries, raspberries and blueberries; white sangria of Bartlett pears, peaches and sage; and red sangria of apples and citrus with Canela. $7 glass; $30 by the pitcher.

Nacional 27's going all out on National Sangria Day with seven different versions at discount prices. It's $5 by the glass and $15 by the pitcher (regularly $27), with flavors like passion-ginger, mango-lime, orange-cranberry and sparkling grapefruit. They'll also serve their signature sangria, which is available on tap and topped with fruit.

And if you're down for Happy Hour, People Lounge offers complimentary tapas at the bar, which complement their delicious sangria. You can get it in the white (with sparkling wine) or red version. A deejay spins at 9pm.