10 Best Quick Picnic Drink Recipes

For a picnic, we typically pack a cooler with a few sandwiches, vibrant make-ahead salads made with seasonal ingredients like watermelon and an abundance of tomatoes, and of course, a pitcher or two of beverages.

A cocktail or nonalcoholic beverage that is ideal for a picnic should have two essential elements: scalability and ease of preparation. Take, for example, the delightful, popular, wine-based Spanish classic called the Kalimotxo. It can readily hold eight people, but it can also readily be expanded to hold a dozen.

The Jalapeño Pineapple Agua Frescas is yet another great option. Although mezcal or tequila can be added to these refreshing drinks for a little kick, they are naturally alcohol-free.

We have the best drinks to bring along and start the outdoor celebrations, whether you are organizing a large picnic or a small get-together!

Evie Negri-Albert's pitcher-friendly tequila cocktail receives a bright orange tint from aperol, one of our favorite summertime aperitifs.

Although this recipe calls for orgeat, amaretto works well and adds a subtle nutty flavor to the Guava Goddess.

Try this red wine and Coca-Cola combination before passing judgment. The 1920s saw the introduction of this simple, refreshing cocktail to the Old Port district of the coastal town of Algorta in the Basque region of Spain.

Kalimotxos can be made with any red wine you have on hand, but Riojas are especially good.

Orange wine adds a whole new level of flavor to ho-hum punch.

Not that you should abandon serving a classic sangria with red wine, but this acidic, funky riff is a low-effort upgrade for any host.

Chef and author Bricia Lopez created this colorful, refreshing drink that is our favorite to bring on a picnic. It only takes a few minutes to prepare and is simple to scale.

Select the single-origin espadín mezcal that Lopez uses to give this drink a clean finish and a hint of smoky flavor.

This classic nonalcoholic beverage is a perfect combination of herbaceous mint and tart lemon juice, and it is simple to prepare and transport in a cooler.

We are happy to drink a cold glass of mint lemonade on its own, but feel free to experiment with adding shots of gin, mezcal, or tequila.

A few days prior to your picnic, you can easily prepare this vibrant red punch, but be sure to strain your blended pineapple mixture to avoid any unwanted grit.

This tart and flowery hibiscus and pineapple punch is another beverage we love to serve with or without alcohol. It is perfect for gatherings with children or guests who do not drink.

The sharp, slightly sweet backbone of ginger tea balances the bright acidity of the pomegranate juice in the Spiked and Spiced cocktail.

This batchable drink, which is made with pomegranates and tequila, is worth keeping in your cooler because it appears much more complicated to make than it is.

This fruity agua fresca is the perfect way to capture the essence of a spicy margarita in a nonalcoholic, picnic-friendly format. We love spicy cocktails.

To ensure that the drink has fresh acidity when it is time to serve it, make a pitcher of this agua fresca up to two days ahead of time, using fresh pineapple.