Wine & Cheese

• Charcuterie Board (prep in advance)
  • 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 would be great for a romantic picnic with its variety of grazing options and could be a precursor to a night of stargazing. Pick a local, pack up the car and set the stage for a beautiful romantic evening.

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.

Finger Licking’ Good – Boxed Lunch

• Classic:  Sandwiches, chips, pickles, fresh fruit with tea/lemonade
• My Favorite: Fried Chicken, Biscuits, 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 get to it. Think finger foods: you can go classic with sandwiches or my personal favorite fried chicken. Bring lawn games, bikes or skates and make the most of the outdoors.

RAINY DAY PICNIC: 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.

DAY picnic

• Food containers/wrappers/napkins
• Mason jars/disposable cups
• Paper straws

Night picnic

• Cutting board/cheese knives/toothpicks
• Appetizer plates/cloth napkins
• Stemless wine glasses
• Candles (battery powered) or lantern

• 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