15 best picnic drinks

Picnics are a cherished tradition, offering a delightful escape from the daily grind and a chance to immerse in nature while enjoying life’s simple pleasures.

While a delicious spread of sandwiches, salads, and snacks is essential, what truly enhances the picnic experience is the perfect selection of refreshing beverages 🍹

Whether you prefer alcohol-free options or a touch of sangria and gin, the right drinks can elevate your outdoor dining adventure.

This article will explore 15 of the best picnic drinks to add flavor and enjoyment to your al fresco gatherings.

Recipe 1: Homemade Ginger Beer

There’s something inherently satisfying about crafting your beverages, and homemade ginger beer is a true testament to that.

This picnic drink is refreshingly fizzy and packs a spicy punch that cuts through the summer heat.

Ingredients:

• Fresh ginger root
• Sugar
• Water
• Lemon juice 🍋
• Yeast

Instructions:

1. Peel and grate fresh ginger to extract its vibrant flavors.
2. Combine the grated ginger, sugar, and water in a pot, bringing it to a boil.
3. Add lemon juice and yeast to the mixture, stirring well once cooled.
4. Pour the concoction into bottles to ferment for a day or two.
5. Chill your homemade ginger beer, and it’s ready to accompany you on your picnic adventure!

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Recipe 2: Elderflower & Cucumber G&T

For those who appreciate a touch of sophistication in their picnic beverages, the elderflower & cucumber G&T is a must-try alcoholic beverage. This portable cocktail combines the timeless elegance of elderflower liqueur with the crispness of cucumber and the zesty kick of gin.

Ingredients:

• Gin 🍸
• Elderflower liqueur
• Cucumber slices
• Tonic water
• Ice cubes 🧊
• Fresh mint leaves 🌿

Instructions:

1. In a glass filled with ice, pour a shot of gin and elderflower liqueur each.
2. Add a few slices of cucumber for a refreshing twist.
3. Top it off with tonic water and garnish with fresh mint leaves.
4. Give it a gentle stir, and your elderflower and cucumber G&T is ready to be sipped beneath the sun.

Recipe 3: Blueberry & Mint Iced Tea

A glass of iced tea can be a lifesaver when the temperature rises. Elevate your picnic experience with blueberry & mint iced tea, a refreshing fusion of sweet blueberries and invigorating mint.

Ingredients:

• Black tea bags
• Blueberries 🫐 (fresh or frozen)
• Fresh mint leaves
• Sugar
• Lemon slices 🍋
• Ice cubes 🧊

Instructions:

1. Brew a strong pot of black tea, adding a handful of fresh mint leaves during the steeping process.
2. Sweeten the tea with sugar to taste and let it cool.
3. Add a generous amount of blueberries and lemon slices to a pitcher.
4. Pour the cooled tea over the fruit and refrigerate for a few hours.
5. Serve your Blueberry & Mint Iced Tea over ice for a revitalizing picnic pick-me-up.

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Recipe 4: Classic Lemonade With a Twist

Lemonade is a quintessential picnic beverage, and we’re giving it a zesty twist that’ll tickle your taste buds. This lemonade drink infuses the tanginess of lemons with the subtle sweetness of honey and the aromatic touch of lavender.

Ingredients:

• Freshly squeezed lemon juice 🍋
• Honey 🍯
• Lavender buds
• Water
• Ice cubes 🧊
• Lemon slices for garnish

Instructions:

1. Combine water and lavender buds in a saucepan and simmer until fragrant.
2. Strain the lavender-infused water and let it cool.
3. Mix the lavender water, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and honey in a pitcher.
4. Add ice cubes and garnish with lemon slices.
5. Sip and savor the unique flavors as you bask in the beauty of your picnic spot.

Recipe 5: Watermelon Agua Fresca

Watermelon Agua Fresca is the epitome of summer refreshment. Its vibrant color and naturally sweet flavor make it the perfect portable non-alcoholic drink for picnics.

Below you will find the list of ingredients needed and instructions on how to make it.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups of fresh watermelon chunks 🍉
• 1/4 cup of fresh lime juice 🍈
• 2 tablespoons of honey 🍯
• 1 cup of cold water
• Ice cubes 🧊
• Mint leaves for garnish 🌿

Instructions:

1. Blend the fresh watermelon chunks until you have a smooth puree.
2. Pour the watermelon puree through a fine-mesh strainer into a pitcher to remove any seeds or pulp.
3. Add fresh lime juice and honey to the strained watermelon juice, stirring until well combined.
4. Pour in the cold water and mix thoroughly.
5. Serve over ice cubes and garnish with fresh mint leaves for a burst of color and freshness.

For larger quantities, consider using a 3-gallon water jug for easy serving.

Recipe 6: Sparkling Lavender Lemonade

The sparkling lavender lemonade drink is fragrant, elegant, and refreshing. It’s perfect for adding a touch of sophistication to your picnic. Also, it’s pretty easy to make one:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice 🍋
• 1/2 cup of lavender syrup (you can make this by steeping dried lavender buds in simple syrup)
• 2 cups of sparkling water
• Lemon slices and lavender sprigs for garnish
• Ice cubes 🧊

Instructions:

1. Combine the freshly squeezed lemon juice and lavender syrup in a pitcher.
2. Stir well to ensure they are thoroughly mixed.
3. Just before serving, add the sparkling water to the mixture, gently stirring it.
4. Serve it over ice cubes and garnish with lemon slices and a sprig of lavender for a beautiful presentation.

Recipe 7: Refreshing Berry Mocktail

This non-alcoholic delight bursts with the flavors of summer berries. It’s perfect for beach picnics or hot summer days.

Here’s what you need to make this delicious drink:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of mixed berries 🍓🫐🍇 (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
• 2 tablespoons of honey 🍯
• 1 cup of cranberry juice
• 1 cup of sparkling water
• Ice cubes 🧊
• Fresh berries and mint leaves for garnish 🍓🌿

Instructions:

1. In a blender, combine the mixed berries and honey. Blend until you have a smooth berry puree.
2. Strain the berry puree through a fine-mesh strainer into a pitcher to remove any seeds or pulp.
3. Add cranberry juice to the strained berry puree and stir until well mixed.
4. Add the sparkling water to the mixture before serving and stir gently.
5. Serve it over ice cubes and garnish with fresh berries and mint leaves for a burst of color.

Recipe 8: Peach basil sangria

Peach Basil Sangria is a delightful and aromatic sangria ideal for picnics. It combines the sweetness of peaches with the herbal notes of basil and a little alcohol. Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe peaches, sliced 🍑🍑
• 1/4 cup of fresh basil leaves
• 1/4 cup of peach schnapps
• 1 bottle of white wine 🍷 (such as Sauvignon Blanc)
• 1/2 cup of sparkling water
• Ice cubes 🧊

Instructions:

1. Combine the sliced peaches and fresh basil leaves in a pitcher.
2. Pour in the peach schnapps and white wine. Stir gently to combine.
3. Refrigerate the sangria for at least an hour to allow the flavors to meld.
4. Add the sparkling water to the mixture before serving and stir gently.
5. Serve the peach basil sangria over ice cubes, and garnish with additional peach slices and basil leaves.

Ensure you have a corkscrew wine opener for convenience.

Recipe 9: Sparkling Strawberry Lemonade

Picnics just got a whole lot sweeter with our sparkling strawberry lemonade. This delightful, effervescent drink combines the vibrant flavors of fresh strawberries and zesty lemons, creating a refreshing and tangy picnic companion. It’s a perfect choice for all ages, making your outdoor gathering even more enjoyable.

Ingredients:

• Fresh strawberries 🍓
• Lemon juice 🍋
• Sugar
• Sparkling water
• Ice cubes 🧊
• Lemon slices and fresh strawberries for garnish 🍋🍓

Instructions:

1. Blend fresh strawberries to create a smooth puree.
2. In a pitcher, combine the strawberry puree, lemon juice, and sugar to taste, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
3. Add ice cubes to the pitcher and top it off with sparkling water.
4. Garnish with lemon slices and fresh strawberry slices.

Recipe 10: Cucumber-Mint Cooler

Stay cool and refreshed during your picnic with our kid-friendly drink. This green elixir blends cooling cucumbers, fresh mint, and a zesty twist of lime, making it the ultimate hydrating drink for your outdoor excursion. It’s a fantastic choice for a light and revitalizing beverage.

Ingredients:

• Cucumber slices 🥒
• Fresh mint leaves 🌿
• Lime juice 🍈
• Honey or agave nectar 🍯
• Water
• Ice cubes 🧊

Instructions:

1. Combine cucumber slices, fresh mint leaves, lime juice, honey or agave nectar, and a bit of water in a blender.
2. Blend until you have a smooth and refreshing green mixture.
3. Pour the mixture over ice cubes in a pitcher.

Recipe 11: Tropical Pineapple Punch

This delicious cocktail will transport your taste buds to a tropical paradise. This exotic blend of pineapple and orange juices, creamy coconut milk, and a hint of grenadine is like a vacation in a glass.

Complete with colorful garnishes and refreshing flavors, this drink adds a touch of the tropics to your picnic experience.

Ingredients:

• Pineapple juice
• Orange juice 🍊
• Coconut milk 🥥
• Grenadine syrup 🍹
• Maraschino cherries
• Pineapple slices 🍍
• Ice cubes 🧊

Instructions:

1. Combine pineapple, orange, and coconut milk in a pitcher, adjusting the ratios to suit your taste preferences.
2. Stir well to mix the flavors.
3. Add a dash of grenadine syrup to create a vibrant layered effect and a hint of sweetness.
4. Garnish with maraschino cherries and pineapple slices.

Serve over ice cubes or use an ice bucket for party to maintain the temperature of your drinks.

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Recipe 12: Peach Basil Iced Tea

This iced tea is a delightful fusion of sweet peaches and aromatic basil, creating a refreshing drink perfect for any picnic. This unique combination will surely impress your fellow picnickers.

Ingredients:

• Black tea bags
• Fresh peaches 🍑 (sliced)
• Fresh basil leaves 🌿
• Sugar
• Lemon slices 🍋
• Ice cubes 🧊

Instructions:

1. Brew a strong pot of black tea, adding a handful of fresh basil leaves during the steeping process.
2. Sweeten the tea with sugar to taste and let it cool.
3. Add peach slices and lemon slices to a pitcher.
4. Pour the cooled tea over the fruit and refrigerate for a few hours.
5. Serve peach basil iced tea over ice for a refreshing and aromatic picnic beverage.

Recipe 13: Mango Lime Spritzer

This one is a delicious tropical, fruity drink! It is a tropical delight that brings fruity freshness to your picnic. This sparkling, non-alcoholic drink is perfect for hot summer days, combining the sweetness of mango with the tangy zest of lime.

Ingredients:

• Fresh mango chunks 🥭
• Lime juice 🍈
• Sparkling water
• Honey or agave nectar 🍯
• Ice cubes 🧊
• Lime slices for garnish

Instructions:

1. Blend the fresh mango chunks until smooth.
2. Combine the mango puree, lime juice, and honey or agave nectar in a pitcher. Stir until well mixed.
3. Add sparkling water to the pitcher, adjusting the amount to achieve the desired level of fizziness.
4. Pour the drink over ice cubes and garnish with lime slices.
5. Enjoy this tropical, refreshing drink at your next picnic!

Recipe 14: Cucumber Melon Cooler

The cucumber melon cooler is a light and hydrating drink that perfectly balances the refreshing flavors of cucumber and melon.

This alcohol-free beverage is ideal for keeping cool and rejuvenated during your outdoor adventures.

Ingredients:

• Cucumber slices 🥒
• Honeydew melon chunks 🍈
• Fresh mint leaves 🌿
• Lime juice 🍈
• Water
• Ice cubes 🧊

Instructions:

1. Combine cucumber slices, honeydew melon chunks, fresh mint leaves, lime juice, and a bit of water in a blender.
2. Blend until smooth and well combined.
3. Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a pitcher to remove any pulp.
4. Serve it over ice cubes for a crisp and revitalizing picnic drink.

Recipe 15: Cucumber Melon Cooler

A tropical coconut mojito brings the breezy, laid-back vibe of a beach vacation to your picnic. This cocktail blends the creamy richness of coconut milk with the refreshing zest of mint and lime, creating a delightful drink that’s both refreshing and exotic.

Ingredients:

• White rum
• Coconut milk 🥥
• Fresh mint leaves 🌿
• Lime juice 🍈
• Simple syrup
• Soda water
• Ice cubes 🧊
• Lime slices and mint sprigs for garnish

Instructions:

1. Muddle a handful of fresh mint leaves with lime juice in a glass or pitcher to release their refreshing flavors.
2. Add a shot of white rum, coconut milk, and a splash of simple syrup, stirring well to combine.
3. Top up with soda water for a fizzy finish.
4. Pour the tropical coconut mojito over ice cubes and garnish with lime slices and mint sprigs.
5. Sip and transport yourself to a tropical paradise while enjoying your picnic.

At Picnic Makers, we believe picnics are a timeless tradition that offers a delightful escape from everyday life. They allow you to immerse yourself in nature and savor simple pleasures.

To enhance your picnic experience, we’ve curated 15 refreshing drink recipes, ranging from homemade ginger beer to tropical pineapple punch.

These recipes cater to both alcohol-free and alcoholic preferences and are designed to add flavor and enjoyment to your outdoor dining adventures.

Cheers to sipping, relaxing, and enjoying the great outdoors!

FAQ

What makes picnic drinks different from regular drinks?

Picnic drinks are specifically designed for outdoor enjoyment. They are often portable, refreshing, and easy to transport, making them ideal for picnics where convenience and taste are key.

Can I prepare these picnic drinks in advance?

Absolutely! Most of the recipes we’ve provided can be prepared in advance. It’s a great way to save time and ensure your drinks are perfectly chilled when ready for your picnic.

Are these recipes suitable for kids and adults alike?

These recipes include alcoholic and non-alcoholic options, ensuring everyone, from kids to adults, can enjoy a refreshing picnic beverage.

How can I keep my picnic drinks cold without a cooler?

To keep your drinks cold without a cooler, freeze fruit slices and use them as ice cubes, or wrap them in a damp towel and place them in a shady spot. Alternatively, consider using a cooler with wheels for easy transportation.

Can I substitute ingredients in these recipes to fit dietary restrictions?

You can quickly adapt these recipes to fit dietary restrictions. For example, use sugar substitutes for sugar or opt for gluten-free alternatives if needed.