Our best picnic drinks ideas

For more picnic inspiration, see our all-time favourite picnic ideas, family picnic recipes and vegetarian picnic ideas. For a full-blown feast, see our round-ups of the best picnic snacks and desserts.

We've also got guides on how to pick the perfect picnic as well as the best picnic accessories.

If you're looking to upgrade your picnic toolkit, here are some of our tried, tested and top-rated favourites that would come in handy for adventures and alfresco eating.

Best picnic drinks recipes

1. Pimm's

No summer picnic would be complete without a pitcher of fruity Pimm's. Mixing up a batch couldn't be easier – with just two main ingredients, this colourful cocktail is perfect for spur-of-the-moment outings. Switch up the classic recipe with our pomegranate Pimm's, or try our Pimm's iced tea for a refreshing, citrusy cupful.

Check out our 7 new ways with Pimm's for slushies, cakes and sweet jellies to pack up come picnic season.

2. Strawberry lemonade

Make the most of summer strawberries at your next picnic with our fresh take on easy homemade lemonade. Ready in just five minutes, the method couldn't be simpler: tip sugar and water into a saucepan over a medium heat and heat until the sugar has dissolved. Blitz your strawberries in a blender to make a purée, then tip into a large jug with the sugar water and lemon juice, and stir to combine. Pour into glasses filled with ice and serve garnished with whole strawberries.

Find more ways to jazz up lemonade with our collection of easy lemonade recipes.

3. Rhubarb cordial

Use up a glut of fresh rhubarb in this zippy seasonal cordial. Top with sparkling water to make the perfect summer refresher for your next picnic. If you're left with any leftover rhubarb, try it as a compote with yogurt, or take a browse through these fun ways to use rhubarb.

If you like the look of this, you'll love these homemade cordial ideas.

4. Homemade ginger beer

Sip a glass of this fiery homemade ginger beer to beat the heat at your next picnic. Make a simple ginger cordial and top up with bubbly soda water for a guaranteed thirst-quencher. Garnish with a few mint leaves for a non-alcoholic treat. Short on time? Prep a batch of our cheat's ginger beer in just 10 minutes.

Discover even more booze-free ideas with our favourite non-alcoholic summer drinks recipes.

5. Elderflower & cucumber G&T

Once you've tried our refreshing take on a classic gin and tonic, you'll never go back. Our delicate elderflower & cucumber G&T can be made with just four ingredients. Simply mix together elderflower cordial, gin and cucumber strips, and bottle up for transporting. Then, just top up your drinks with tonic water and serve.

Shake up your standard serve with our gin and tonic recipes, and try classic drinks, cakes or impressive desserts. Feel like perfecting the traditional version? Read our guide on how to make the perfect gin & tonic, or branch out and try our gin cocktail recipes.

6. Blueberry & mint iced tea

Put your peppermint teabags to good use and create this delicious family-friendly drink in minutes. Our blueberry & mint iced tea is great for making in advance and bottling up in flasks for dining outdoors. Lightly crushing some of the blueberries during steeping intensifies the fruity flavours. Retain some for garnishing later to make an eye-catching glassful.

Whether you're after boozy brews or fabulous floral mocktails, check out our best ever iced tea recipes.

7. Summer punch

Delicate and floral, this summer punch is sunshine in a glass. The combination of elderflower, apple juice and a dash of lemon juice makes for a tasty citrus brew. If you're feeling like you need an extra dose of luxury, try swapping the sparkling water for a hearty glug of champagne.

For more crowd-pleasing cocktails, read our punch recipes.

8. Peach iced tea

A pitcher of chilled peach iced tea on a hot day is a thing of beauty. It could be made with raspberries as well if you're in the mood for something a little different. Making a basic peach syrup to stir into your drink makes the most of the vibrant fruity flavours – just add fresh peach slices to serve.

Want some expert advice and flavouring ideas? Read our guide on how to make iced tea for top tips for the perfect glassful.

9. Coconut & pineapple cooler

This juicy coconut and pineapple cooler will happily sit in your cooler until you're ready for a drink. Mix together coconut rum, pineapple juice, gin and chunks of fresh watermelon for a quick and easy summer sipper. Fill some jam jars with screw-top lids and post up somewhere sunny to enjoy these beautiful beverages.

For more boozy brews you can mix up in bulk, check out our jug cocktail recipes for an instant entertaining hit.

10. Strawberry mojito

Use up a bounty of summer berries with our stunning strawberry mojito recipe. Muddle your fruit and sugars, then add in a pinch of black pepper and bruised mint leaves. If you're packing pre-picnic, stir in the rum, bottle and top up with sparkling water later. Serve even more seasonal variations and fruity twists on the traditional with our favourite mojito recipes.

11. Summer cup mocktail

For those who don't fancy drinking alcohol during the day, this fruity mocktail offers a sophisticated alternative and is simply bursting with seasonal flavours. Combine summer berries with cooling mint, cucumber and lemonade for a refreshing effervescent drink which is easy to transport pre-bottled. We recommend chilling first rather than adding ice cubes as these will likely melt during transportation.

12. English garden cocktail

Whether you are hosting a picnic in your garden or a seeking a scenic spot further afield, this quintessentially British cocktail is sure to go down a treat. Made from a simple mix of gin, elderflower cordial and apple juice, it's refreshingly tangy and ideal for those who only want a touch of alcohol. Garnish with cucumber and mint for a final burst of freshness.

Enjoyed these beautiful beverages? Check out our other summer drinks ideas...

Top 10 summer drinks recipes
Top 5 elderflower drinks
Non-alcoholic summer drinks recipes
Top 10 summer cocktail recipes
Top 10 summer punch recipes

What's your favourite picnic tipple? Leave a comment below...