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