Picnic At Home Date

Whether you are picnicking at home or on the road, I have curated the perfect DAY or NIGHT picnic dates for you.

Warmer weather means more time outside. My sister and I were homeschooled from 3rd grade on, one of the many benefits was the ability to pack up the car and head out to a nearby park, school books and all.

Picnic – Places

Your own backyard or living room
Tailgate picnic (Car/Truck) – parked in your driveway or overlooking your favorite cityscape
Local park, lake or beach

Picnic At Home – Menu

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 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.

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 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, pillows for a movie night.

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.

See Blog Post: BACKYARD MOVIE NIGHT

What to Pack

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

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