National Ambrosia Day is observed each year on December 12. The day celebrates the classic American fruit salad that once symbolized abundance and access to luxurious ingredients like oranges, coconut, and sugar.
Ambrosia salad takes its name from the “food of the gods” in Greek mythology, yet the dish itself is American. It became popular in the Southern United States in the late 1800s. A modern version often includes mandarin oranges, pineapple, shredded coconut, and miniature marshmallows. Many families add maraschino cherries, grapes, bananas, pecans, or a creamy base made from sour cream, yogurt, or whipped topping. Chilling the salad helps the flavors blend and gives it its familiar soft texture.
Origin and the “Food of the Gods”
The earliest known printed recipe appeared in 1867 in Dixie Cookery by Maria Massey Barringer of North Carolina. Her version consisted of grated coconut, orange segments, and sugar arranged in layers. Ingredients like oranges and coconuts were still considered special in many regions, and the expanding railroad network after the Civil War made them easier to obtain. As these foods became more accessible, ambrosia gained a place in Southern holiday meals and came to symbolize both seasonal abundance and the arrival of once-rare ingredients.
When Is National Ambrosia Day Celebrated?
National Ambrosia Day is observed each year on December 12. The date falls during the holiday season, when this nostalgic fruit salad often appears at family gatherings. The table below shows upcoming celebration years.
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2025 | December 12, Friday |
| 2026 | December 12, Saturday |
| 2027 | December 12, Sunday |
| 2028 | December 12, Tuesday |
| 2029 | December 12, Wednesday |
| 2030 | December 12, Thursday |
If you enjoy National Ambrosia Day, you might also like observances such as National Bavarian Cream Pie Day, National Parfait Day, and National Lemon Cream Pie Day, which also highlight desserts that combine fruit and creamy textures.
Ways to Celebrate National Ambrosia Day
Ambrosia has a nostalgic place in many families, and this day offers an easy way to revisit or discover the dish.
- Make a bowl of ambrosia using a classic recipe or create your own version with favorite fruits.
- Share the dish with someone who has never tried it and talk about its history or family traditions.
- Host a small gathering where everyone brings a different variation of ambrosia.
- Add it to a winter dinner menu as a light, fruity contrast to richer holiday foods.
Although often linked to the South, ambrosia has become a nationwide holiday dish, especially around Thanksgiving and Christmas.
