
Whether you are staying home or going for a drive, here are my favorite picnic basket date ideas to share with someone special or with your family.
Warmer weather means more time outside – my sister and I were homeschooled from 3rd grade on. One of the many benefits of being homeschooled was the ability to pack up the car and head out to a nearby park with school books in toe.
PICNIC BASKET DATE – PLACES TO GO
Places to Go – At Home:
- Your backyard
- Living room
- Driveway tailgate picnic (Car/Truck)
Places to Go – Away from Home:
- Tailgate – overlooking your favorite cityscape (Car/Truck)
- Local park, mountains, lake or beach
PICNIC BASKET DATE – MENU IDEAS
MENU OPTION #1: Finger Licking’ Good – Boxed Lunch
- Classic Boxed Lunch: Sandwiches, chips, pickles, fresh fruit with tea or lemonade
- MY FAVORITE: Fried Chicken, Biscuits, coleslaw and mason jars of lemonade for the kiddos and pre-made cocktails for the grown-ups (see batch recipes below) and Hand pies for dessert
A day picnic is a great way to get the family outside, just pack a lunch and go. Think finger foods: you can go classic with sandwiches or my personal favorite fried chicken. Bring lawn games, bikes or skates to make the most of the outdoors.
RAINY DAY? PICNIC AT HOME: If the weather isn’t cooperating with your picnic plans, don’t cancel, just move inside. Your living room can be a great alternative or set up your picnic in the car/truck if you are determined to get out of the house.
MENU OPTION #2: Wine & Cheese – Charcuterie Board
- Meats: salami, prosciutto
- Cheeses: sharp cheddar, pepper-jack, gouda
- Crackers: multi-grain, flat pretzels, nut thins
- Fruit/Veggies: berries, dried fruit, cucumbers
- Nuts: almonds, cashews
- Other: honey, jam, mustard, olives
- A couple bottles of your favorite wines
This menu is great for a romantic night picnic with its variety of grazing options and could be a precursor to stargazing. Pick a local, pack up the car, and set the stage for a beautiful romantic evening. OR take a walk outside (to your own backyard), set up the projector, blankets, and pillows for a movie under the stars.
NIGHT PICNIC + STARGAZING: Take a drive away from the city lights to gaze at the stars. Bring a thermos of hot chocolate or coffee and cozy up for the show.
PICNIC BASKET DATE: BATCH COCKTAILS FOR TWO
- 6 oz strong earl grey tea
- 2 oz simple syrup
- 6 oz whiskey bourbon
- Frozen blackberries
Make your simple syrup (water/sugar mix). In a mixing glass muddle berries in simple syrup. Add the earl grey tea, bourbon and ice to the glass. Stir for 30 seconds. Strain into a chilled mason jar and keep on ice until ready to serve. Serve with a sprig of rosemary and a blackberry. Adapted from: beginningwithbergamot.com
- 4 oz grapefruit juice
- 4 oz gin
- 1 oz Triple Sec
- Fresh Basil leaves
Muddle 2 basil leaves with gin and triple sec. Muddle until the leaves break down and you can smell the basil. Add ice to a mixing glass and pour in the grapefruit juice. Stir the basil mixture and grapefruit juice until well combined. Strain into a chilled mason jar and keep on ice until ready to serve. Serve with a basil leaf. Adapted from: elletalk.com
PICNIC BASKET DATE – WHAT TO PACK
PACKING LIST
- Corkscrew/Bottle opener
- Blankets and Pillows
- Umbrella or Canopy
- Insect repellent
- Citronella candles/torches
- Matches/lighter
- For Clean Up: Zip-locs, wet wipes, trash bags
FOR A DAY PICNIC
- Food containers/wrappers/napkins
- Mason jars/disposable cups
- Paper straws
FOR A NIGHT PICNIC
- Cutting board/cheese knives/toothpicks
- Appetizer plates/cloth napkins
- Stemless wine glasses
- Candles (battery powered) or lantern
PICNIC BASKET DATE – MUSIC PLAYLIST
NOW PLAYING FOR YOUR LISTENING PLEASURE
Use a smartphone w/portable speaker or for a more vintage feel bring records and portable player.
- Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong
- She&Him
- Tyrone Wells
- Civil War
- Johnnyswim
- Patty Griffin
- Spotify Playlist

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