14 Best Cocktails to Drink at a Picnic

A picnic isn’t complete without great food, good company, and of course, refreshing cocktails. Whether you’re lounging in the sun or enjoying a breezy afternoon, the right drink can take your outdoor gathering to the next level. Here are 14 of the best picnic-friendly cocktails to sip under the open sky.

Sangria

Sangria is a popular choice for picnics. It is refreshing and fruity. You can make it in large batches.

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle of red wine
• 1/4 cup brandy
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup simple syrup
• Fresh fruit (oranges, lemons, berries)
• Ice

Instructions:

1. Mix liquids: Pour red wine, brandy, orange juice, and simple syrup into a large pitcher.
2. Add fruit: Slice the fruit and add it to the mixture.
3. Chill: Refrigerate the sangria for at least 2 hours.
4. Serve: Pour over ice-filled glasses.

White Sangria Variation:

White sangria uses white wine. It’s perfect for hot summer days.

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle of white wine
• 1/4 cup peach schnapps
• 1/2 cup lemonade concentrate
• Sliced peaches and citrus fruits
• Ice

Instructions:

1. Mix liquids: Combine white wine, peach schnapps, and lemonade concentrate in a pitcher.
2. Add fruit: Add sliced peaches and citrus fruits.
3. Chill: Refrigerate this mixture for at least 2 hours.
4. Serve: Pour over ice in glasses.

Sangria is versatile. You can experiment with different fruits. Adjust the sweetness to your liking.

Aperol Spritz

The Aperol Spritz is ideal for picnics. It’s refreshing, light, and easy to make. This classic cocktail has its origins in Italy and combines Prosecco, Aperol, and soda water.

Here’s how you can make an Aperol Spritz:

Ingredients:

• 3 oz Prosecco
• 2 oz Aperol
• 1 oz Soda water
• Ice cubes
• Orange slice (for garnish)

Instructions:

• Fill a wine glass with ice cubes.
• Pour in 3 oz of Prosecco.
• Add 2 oz of Aperol.
• Top with 1 oz of soda water.
• Stir gently to combine.
• Garnish with an orange slice.

The Aperol Spritz is not just tasty; it’s visually appealing with a bright orange hue.

Perfect for sunny days and outdoor gatherings, the mix of bubbles and citrus makes it a crowd-pleaser.

Mojito

A Mojito is a classic cocktail perfect for picnics. It combines flavors of mint, lime, and white rum. It is refreshing and easy to prepare.

Ingredients:

• 10 fresh mint leaves
• 1/2 lime, cut into 4 wedges
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 1 cup ice cubes
• 1 1/2 ounces white rum
• 1/2 cup club soda

Instructions:

1. Muddle the mint leaves and 1 lime wedge in a glass.
2. Add 2 more lime wedges and sugar; muddle again.
3. Fill the glass with ice cubes.
4. Pour in the rum.
5. Top off with club soda.
6. Stir gently and garnish with the remaining lime wedge.

Variations:

Pineapple Mojito: Add a tropical twist. Mix pineapple juice with mint, lime, and rum.

Cucumber-Melon Mojito: A refreshing spin. Use Midori, a melon liqueur, and cucumber slices.

For a larger gathering, make a Mojito by the Pitcher. Combine the ingredients in a large pitcher to serve more guests easily.

Mojitos are a versatile and enjoyable drink choice for any picnic setting. They are light, flavorful, and simple to make.

Pimm’s Cup

A Pimm’s Cup is perfect for your picnic. It’s refreshing and easy to make.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces Pimm’s No. 1
• 1 ounce lemon juice
• 3 ounces ginger ale or lemon soda
• Cucumber slices
• Mint sprigs
• Optional: strawberry, lemon, and orange wheels

Instructions

1. Fill a highball glass with ice cubes.
2. Add the Pimm’s No. 1 and lemon juice.
3. Top with ginger ale or lemon soda.
4. Stir gently to combine.
5. Garnish with cucumber slices and mint sprigs.
6. Optional: Add strawberry, lemon, or orange wheels.

Feel free to experiment with different fruits and vegetables for garnish. Stick to light, crisp flavors that complement the drink.

You can make this in a pitcher for larger groups, just scale up the proportions. This cocktail is versatile and customizable.

Rosé Spritzer

A Rosé Spritzer is a refreshing choice for a picnic. Light and bubbly, it’s perfect for warm weather. You only need two ingredients, making it simple and quick to prepare.

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle of rosé wine
• 2 cups of club soda or sparkling water

Instructions:

1. Fill a large pitcher halfway with ice.
2. Pour in the rosé wine.
3. Add the club soda or sparkling water.
4. Stir gently to combine.

A Rosé Spritzer offers a balanced taste. The rosé provides a fruity base. The sparkling water adds a refreshing fizz. This low-calorie drink won’t weigh you down.

For extra flair, garnish with fresh fruit.

Slices of strawberries, lemon, or lime work best. These add a touch of elegance and flavor.

If you prefer, serve in individual glasses. Fill each glass with ice. Add equal parts rosé wine and club soda. Garnish with a slice of fruit.

You can customize your Rosé Spritzer. Adjust the ratio of wine to soda. For a stronger drink, use more rosé. For a lighter taste, add extra soda.

Gin and Tonic

Gin and Tonic is a classic choice for a picnic. It’s refreshing and easy to make.

Basic Recipe

• 2 ounces gin
• 4-6 ounces tonic water
• Ice
• Lime wedge for garnish

Instructions:

1. Fill a glass with ice.
2. Add gin.
3. Pour in tonic water.
4. Stir gently.
5. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Variations to Try

Add some flair to your Gin and Tonic with these tweaks:

• Cucumber slices for a crisp taste.
• Fresh herbs like rosemary or basil.
• Fruit such as strawberries or blackberries.

Ingredient Tips

Use premium gin for best results. Quality tonic water also makes a difference. Always opt for fresh lime.

A Gin and Tonic is versatile. Play with different garnishes and herbs.

Margarita

A Margarita is a classic, refreshing cocktail perfect for a picnic. Its tangy and sweet flavors make it a favorite.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz tequila
• 1 oz lime juice
• 1 oz triple sec
• Salt for rimming the glass (optional)
• Ice
• Lime wedge for garnish

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Glass: Rim the edge of a glass with salt. Run a lime wedge around the rim, then dip it into salt.
2. Mix Ingredients: In a shaker, combine tequila, lime juice, and triple sec.
3. Shake: Add ice to the shaker. Shake well until chilled.
4. Serve: Strain the mixture into the prepared glass over fresh ice.
5. Garnish: Add a lime wedge to the rim for a decorative touch.

For a twist, you can add fruit puree, such as strawberry or mango.

Simply blend your chosen fruit and mix it with the above ingredients. This will add a delicious, fruity flavor to your Margarita.

Margaritas are versatile. You can make them as a slushie by blending the ingredients with ice. This is perfect for hot summer days.

Paloma

The Paloma is a refreshing cocktail perfect for picnics. It combines tequila with citrus flavors, making it a great choice for warm days. This drink is both easy to make and delightful to drink.

Ingredients

• 2 oz tequila
• 1/2 oz lime juice
• 4 oz grapefruit soda
• Pinch of salt
• Ice
• Grapefruit slice and lime wedge for garnish

Instructions

1. Fill a highball glass with ice.
2. Add tequila and lime juice.
3. Pour in grapefruit soda.
4. Add a pinch of salt.
5. Stir to combine.
6. Garnish with a grapefruit slice and lime wedge.

Tips for Extra Flair

• Salt Rim: Rub a lime wedge on the rim of your glass. Dip the rim in kosher salt.
• Spicy Variation: Mix 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper or 1 tablespoon Tajín with salt for the rim.

This drink offers a beautiful balance of citrus and tequila.

Tom Collins

The Tom Collins is a classic cocktail perfect for a picnic. Its refreshing, light flavors make it an excellent choice for warm weather gatherings.

The drink combines gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup, topped off with carbonated water.

Ingredients:

• 1-1.5 oz gin
• 3/4 oz lemon juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• 3 oz carbonated water
• Ice (1 cup, plus extra for glass)

Instructions:

1. Fill a tall glass halfway with ice.
2. Place the glass in the freezer to chill.
3. Combine gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker.
4. Add ice to the shaker and shake well.
5. Remove the glass from the freezer.
6. Strain the mixture into the chilled glass.
7. Top off with carbonated water.
8. Garnish with a lemon slice or cherry if desired.

Lemonade Vodka

If you’re planning a picnic, lemonade vodka drinks are a must. They’re refreshing and simple to make.

Classic Vodka Lemonade

Mix vodka with lemonade in a tall glass. It’s quick and easy.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz vodka
• 6 oz lemonade
• Ice

Instructions:

1. Fill a glass with ice.
2. Add vodka and lemonade.
3. Stir well.

Pink Vodka Lemonade

This drink gets its color from cranberry juice. Perfect for a vibrant touch.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz vodka
• 4 oz lemonade
• 2 oz cranberry juice
• Lemon-lime soda (optional)
• Ice

Instructions:

1. Fill a glass with ice.
2. Mix vodka, lemonade, and cranberry juice.
3. Top with lemon-lime soda if desired.

Spiked Berry Lemonade

Combine berries and lemonade for a fruity cocktail. You can use any berries you like.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz vodka
• 4 oz raspberry lemonade
• 2 oz lemon-lime soda
• Mixed berries (strawberries, blackberries, raspberries)
• Ice

Instructions:

1. Fill a glass with ice.
2. Add vodka, raspberry lemonade, and lemon-lime soda.
3. Garnish with fresh berries.

Lemon Drop Martini

Elegant but easy to prepare. Great for a picnic with a touch of class.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz citrus vodka
• 1 oz fresh lemon juice
• 1 oz orange liqueur
• 1 oz simple syrup
• Sugar (for rim)
• Ice

Instructions:

1. Rim a martini glass with sugar.
2. Shake all ingredients with ice.
3. Strain into the glass.

Big-Batch Vodka Lemonade

Ideal for larger gatherings.

Ingredients:

• 32 oz vodka
• 96 oz lemonade
• Ice

Instructions:

1. Mix vodka and lemonade in a large pitcher.
2. Stir well and refrigerate.
3. Serve over ice.

Cucumber Cooler

Craft a refreshing Cucumber Cooler for your picnic. This drink is light and perfect for hot days.

Ingredients:

• 1 large cucumber, sliced
• 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 1/4 cup agave nectar
• 1/2 cup gin (optional)
• Ice cubes
• Tonic water

Instructions:

1. Prepare the cucumber: Slice a large cucumber into thin rounds.
2. Muddle ingredients: In a shaker, muddle the cucumber slices, fresh mint leaves, lime juice, and agave nectar. Ensure the cucumber releases its juice.
3. Add gin: If using, add the gin to the mixture in the shaker.
4. Shake: Add ice cubes to the shaker and shake vigorously.
5. Serve: Pour the mixture into glasses filled with ice.
6. Top up: Top each glass with tonic water.
7. Garnish: Garnish with extra cucumber slices and mint leaves for a fresh look.

Strawberry Basil Smash

The Strawberry Basil Smash is a delightful cocktail perfect for a picnic. It’s refreshing and has a sweet, tangy flavor.

Ingredients:

• Strawberries: 3, fresh
• Basil leaves: 6
• Jack Daniel’s: 2 oz
• Simple syrup: 1 oz
• Lemon juice: 1 oz
• Ice: as needed

Instructions:

1. Place strawberries in a cocktail tumbler.
2. Add basil leaves.
3. Gently mash with a muddler until berries soften and basil becomes fragrant.
4. Pour in Jack Daniel’s, simple syrup, and lemon juice.
5. Fill the tumbler with ice.
6. Shake well.
7. Strain the mixture into a glass filled with ice.
8. Garnish with a basil leaf and a strawberry slice.

Frosé (Frozen Rosé)

Frosé is a delightful frozen cocktail. It’s perfect for a picnic on a warm day. This pink slushie uses rosé wine, making it both refreshing and visually appealing.

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle of rosé wine
• 1 cup of frozen strawberries
• 2 tablespoons of sugar
• 1/2 cup of crushed ice

Instructions:

1. Pour the rosé into a baking pan. Freeze for about 6 hours until almost solid.
2. Blend the frozen rosé with strawberries and sugar until smooth.
3. Add crushed ice to the blender. Puree until the texture is thick and slushy.
4. Serve immediately in glasses. Garnish with strawberries if desired.

Berry Punch

Berry Punch is ideal for picnics. It’s easy to make and tastes great when shared.

Ingredients

• 2 cups mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
• 1 cup lemonade
• 2 cups ginger ale
• Ice cubes

Instructions

1. Combine the berries and lemonade in a blender.
2. Blend until smooth.
3. Strain the mixture to remove seeds.
4. Pour the berry lemonade into a pitcher.
5. Add the ginger ale and stir gently.
6. Serve over ice in tall glasses.

The blend of fresh berries, lemonade, and ginger ale creates a refreshing drink.

It requires minimal effort and few ingredients.

Feel free to double or triple the recipe for larger groups.

This punch is perfect for hot summer days.

It keeps you cool and quenches your thirst.

Serve it at barbecues, picnics, or any outdoor gathering.

Try using different berries.

Each combination offers a unique flavor.

This flexibility makes Berry Punch a versatile drink option.