Drinks Cocktails 10 Best Portable Picnic Drinks That You Can Make Ahead or in Minutes Ascend to "best guest" status with one of these pre-batched cocktails. By Oset Babür-Winter Oset Babür-Winter Title: Senior Drinks Editor, Food & WineLocation: New York CityExperience: Oset Babür-Winter has completed the Wine and Spirits Education Trust's (WSET) Level 3 Award in wines and was previously the magazine's associate culture editor, where she edited Obsessions. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Updated on May 31, 2024 Close Photo: Matt Taylor-Gross / Food Styling by Lucy Simon When it comes to packing a cooler for a picnic, you'll find us choosing bright make-ahead salads with seasonal ingredients like watermelon and plenty of tomatoes, a few sandwiches, and of course, a pitcher or two of drinks. The key to a picnic-ready cocktail or nonalcoholic drink lies in scalability and ease of preparation. We're looking for drinks like the Kalimotxo, a cheerful wine-based Spanish classic that can easily satisfy a crowd of eight that morphs into a crew of 12. Or, we're preparing a batch of Pineapple Jalapeño Agua Frescas, which are nonalcoholic by nature but can easily be spiked with a shot of tequila or mezcal on the spot. No matter how in-depth your picnic preparations may be, we've got you covered with the best drinks to bring along and get the al fresco party started. 01 of 10 Guava Goddess Matt Taylor-Gross / Food Styling by Lucy Simon This pitcher-friendly tequila cocktail developed by Evie Negri-Albert gets its eye-catching orange hue from one of our favorite summertime aperitifs, Aperol. While this recipe calls for orgeat, amaretto works as a nice substitute to add a bit of nutty flavor to the Guava Goddess. Get the Recipe 02 of 10 Kalimotxo Photo by Huge Galdones / Food Styling by Christina Zerkis Don't knock this combination of red wine and Coca-Cola before you try it. Dating back to the 1920s, this simple, refreshing cocktail originates from the Old Port area of Algorta, a coastal town in the Basque region of Spain. You can use whatever red wine you have on hand to make a batch of Kalimotxos — Riojas work especially well. Get the Recipe 03 of 10 Orange Wine Sangria Matt Taylor-Gross / Food Styling by Lucy Simon Orange wine takes ho-hum punch to the next level. While we're not saying you'll ditch any dreams of serving a traditional sangria with red wine, this acidic, funky riff makes for a low-effort upgrade for any host. Get the Recipe 04 of 10 Sparkling Mezcal Water Eva Kolenko / Food Styling by Carrie Purcell / Prop Styling by Nidia Cueva This bright, refreshing cocktail from chef and author Bricia Lopez is one of our favorite drinks to pack for a picnic. It's easy to scale and takes just minutes to prepare. Be sure to opt for single-origin espadín mezcal, which Lopez uses to add a lightly smoky taste and clean finish to this drink. Get the Recipe 05 of 10 Mint Lemonade Matt Taylor-Gross / Food Styling by Lucy Simon Herbaceous mint and tart lemon juice are meant to be, and this nonalcoholic classic is easy to prepare and pack in a cooler. While we're happy drinking a cold glass of Mint Lemonade on its own, feel free to experiment with adding shots of tequila, mezcal, or gin. Get the Recipe 06 of 10 Jamaica and Pineapple Punch Ed Anderson This vivid red punch is easy to prepare days before your picnic — just be sure to strain your blended pineapple mixture to avoid any unpleasant grittiness. Tart and floral, this hibiscus and pineapple punch is another drink we love to serve both with and without alcohol, making it perfect for gatherings with children or folks who aren't drinking. Get the Recipe 07 of 10 Spiked and Spiced Frederick Hardy II / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Risha Carnes The sharp, slightly sweet backbone of ginger tea balances the bright acidity of pomegranate juice in the Spiked and Spiced cocktail. This batchable, sweet and sour pomegranate and tequila drink looks much more complicated than it is to make, which is just one reason why it deserves a spot in your cooler. Get the Recipe 08 of 10 Pineapple Jalapeño Agua Fresca Matt Taylor-Gross / Food Styling by Lucy Simon We love a spicy cocktail, and this fruity agua fresca is the perfect way to channel the spirit of a Spicy Margarita in a nonalcoholic, picnic-friendly format. You can make a pitcher of this agua fresca up to two days in advance, and using fresh pineapple is key to ensuring the drink is full of fresh acidity when you're ready to serve it. Get the Recipe 09 of 10 Hard Cider Sangria Chelsea Kyle / Food Styling by Drew Aichele Why not bring hard cider into the sangria fold? This is the perfect drink for those looking for a tart, bold alternative to the classic wine punch. For a summer picnic, opt for a dry rosé cider to add floral, strawberry notes to your drink. Get the Recipe 10 of 10 Pineapple Rum Punch Frederick Hardy II / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Christina Daley A true celebration of the tropical fruit, this cheerful, bright yellow cocktail calls for pineapple juice, rum, syrup, and seltzer. Sweet Velvet Falernum adds balance to this otherwise tart, bold punch. Get the Recipe Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit