A picnic is about much more than the food alone—your choice of drinks completes the event as refreshing, delightful, and memorable.
Whether it is a summer outing with friends, a family event in a cozier setting, or a romantic picnic, drinks are needed for your outdoor dining plan.
From picnic drinks for kids to the ones that get parties started for adults, here are 15 of the best beverages to suit every occasion. Each is delicious and easy to make—so you enjoy the moment.
Refreshing Picnic Beverages for a Perfect Outing
When the sun is bright and the weather warm, nothing can beat the thirst-quenching refreshment of those picnic drinks that cool you down at the same time. here are some standout options to be included in your basket;
1. Classic lemonade for picnics
Lemonade is an age-old, classic picnic drink. It is tart, sweet, and satisfyingly refreshing. You can go traditional with fresh lemons, sugar, and water or go the extra mile by including a touch of herbs such as mint or basil for some modernity. The more adventurous person might like to try aromatic, different, and uniquely delicious lavender lemonade.
A quick tip: Serve lemonade in see-through picnic drink containers to display this beautiful color and create a nice visual pop on your picnic spread.
2. Iced tea for picnics
Another classic favorite for outdoor get-togethers? Iced tea. You can brew a big batch the night before and let it chill in your fridge until ready. Try classic with black tea, green tea, hibiscus, or fruity blends like peach and raspberry.
Simple recipe: Brew some of your favorite tea and sweeten it. Additionally, flavor your drink with a few slices of lemon, orange, or melon.
3. Watermelon cooler
Nothing says summer like watermelon. One of summer’s best fruits is transformed into a great drink when whirled in the blender and puréed into a cool, hydrating drink. There is no recipe to follow; just whiz cubes of the fruit with a squeeze of lime and several leaves of fresh mint. Serve ice cold, and watch everyone beg for seconds.
Make it healthier: Watermelon coolers are not only tasty but also hydrating and healthy picnic drinks rich in vitamins and antioxidants.
4. Fruit-infused water
Of course, there is the goal of fruit-infused water for those who need something light and healthy. Fill your water in the jug with small slices of citrus, tiny berries, or even just a few slices of cucumbers or some herbs like mint and rosemary.
Please give it a few hours in the fridge to allow the flavors to meld. Healthy picnic beverages are not only for those needing great picnic drink ideas in recipes but also good for you.
Family faves: Super drinks are colorful, naturally sweet, and have no sugar added, making them perfect for bringing the kids to a picnic.
5. Arnold Palmer
The Arnold Palmer is a blend of iced tea and lemonade, a favorite of both worlds at picnics. It is half of each for those who can’t decide between tea or lemonade.
How to serve: Pour into a large picnic drink container, then serve over ice for an extra refreshing, clean sip.
Easy Drink Picnic Recipes for All Palettes
Whether you’re into fruity, fizzy, or creamy, you’ll find one of these easy picnic drink recipes to slake your thirst in style:
6. Berry sangria
Sangria pleases the crowd—wine meets fresh fruit and a sweet touch for a match made in summer heaven. For a picnic prep, this version has a ton of berries—strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries—plus some red or white wine, a bit of soda water, and a splash of orange juice.
Cool variation: To make your picnic drinks a little different, make a sparkling sangria using prosecco or another style of sparkling wine.
7. Cucumber mint cooler
This cucumber mint cooler tastes very refreshing and is so easy to make. Just blend cucumber, mint leaves, lime juice, and honey, then mix with soda water. It might just be the best outdoor picnic drink: it tastes so fresh with every sip.
Non-alcoholic option: Looking for non-alcoholic picnic drinks? This cooler hits the spot sans booze.
8. Cold brew coffee
Cold-brew coffee is a must for those who need their caffeine fix. It’s smooth, bold, and can be easily sweetened or flavored with syrups. Prepare it the night before by steeping coarsely ground coffee in cold water for 12 to 24 hours, then strain and chill.
Pro tip: Bring some flavored syrups or creamers so everyone can customize their cup.
9. Peach Bellini
A peach Bellini is just an elegant and delightful union of peach purée and sparkling wine, perfect for a more upscale picnic. It’s sweet, it’s bubbly, and it’s for toasting.
Make it ahead: Purée can be made several hours ahead and chilled in a cooler, then mixed with champagne at the picnic site.
10. Tropical smoothie
Smoothies are more than a breakfast; they work great for picnic drinks. They are thick and richer than most other drinks. You can make your smoothie with three tropical fruits: mango, pineapple, and coconut milk.
Family-friendly: These are perfect family picnic drink ideas, as they’re nutritious and appealing to kids and adults.
Unique Picnic Beverages to Surprise and Delight
Bring a surprising twist to your picnic gathering outdoors with these homemade picnic beverages listed below:
11. Matcha lemonade
The bright sweetness of the lemonade balances the earthy, slightly acrid taste of matcha green tea powder. Refreshing and invigorating, it is more exciting than most beverages one would expect to have at a picnic.
Serving idea: Individual servings can be served in mason jars for a chic presentation.
12. Pineapple mojito
Combine the tropical pineapple flavor with a classic mojito mix of mint, lime, and rum, and this cocktail is full of life, sweetness, and flavor.
Non-alcoholic version: Avoid the rum to get a sober but flavorful and refreshing drink.
13. Hibiscus iced tea
Well, hibiscus tea tastes like cranberries and is attractively red. It’s caffeine-free and sweetened with honey or agave for a perfect balance of sweet and tart.
Cold brew method: Steep hibiscus flowers overnight in cold water for a smoother, less bitter tea.
14. Spicy ginger lemonade
Kick your usual lemonade with a hint of ginger. This spicy ginger lemonade is revving, and the warmth from ginger complements the tartness of lemons.
Ginger benefits: In addition to its zesty flavor, ginger has anti-inflammatory properties, making it one of the best healthy picnic drinks.
15. Strawberry basil soda
This homemade soda blends sweet strawberries with the aromatic taste of fresh basil. It’s a little gassy but super refreshing—just right for a hot summer day.
DIY soda: Blend strawberries and basil, then strain and mix the purée with soda water. Serve chilled.
Best Drinks for Outdoor Picnics: Key Considerations
Cold picnic beverages would be the ones that consider the prevailing weather, the tastes of the guests, and how easily transportable they can be. Here are some tips to help you pick up the perfect drinks:
Consider the temperature
When planning summer picnic drinks, cold and refreshing drinks like iced tea, lemonade, and fruit-flavored water will set the tone. Keep them cool in a cooler full of ice packs.
Who’s coming with you
If it’s a picnic with kids, it’s best to have nonalcoholic healthy drinks like smoothies or fruit-infused picnic drinks. If it’s an adult gathering, one can have both nonalcoholic and picnic drinks with alcohol, such as sangria or Bellini.
Easy to serve
Choose drinks that are easy to pour and serve. Pack picnic drink containers that are leak-proof and can be moved around easily. Examples include Mason jars, insulated jugs, thermos bottles, and others.
Prep ahead
If you would like to prepare your drinks in advance, it is best to do it during the night so that in the morning, all you will need to do is pick them up and head out for the picnic. Not only will you save some time, but these drinks will also have a better chance of developing their flavors to become even more delicious.
Picnic Drink Containers—the Unsung Heroes
While planning your picnic, don’t ignore good picnic drink containers. They keep your drinks fresh, cold, and easy to pour. Some types include the following:
- Insulated jugs: Large quantities of drinks, like iced tea or lemonade, will stay cool for hours.
- Mason jars: Individual servings add to the rustic feel of your picnic.
- Thermoses: Perfect for your coffee, hot chocolate, or any other drink that needs to stay at the right temperature.
- Portable coolers: These make it easy to move drinks around that need to stay cold, such as smoothies or even sodas.
Conclusion
With these 15 best picnic drinks, you are well on your way to hosting the most unforgettable outdoor experience.
From nonalcoholic to unusual drinks or even quick picnic drinks, these ideas can help quench any taste or preference. So, pack up your picnic basket, fill up your containers with these refreshing drinks, and get ready to have a fine time outdoors amidst beautiful scenery and lovely company.
