The most refreshing portable drinks to complement any picnic in the park

As lockdown measures ease today – allowing us to meet with five of our nearest and dearest in parks and gardens – and temperatures get set to soar to a practically tropical 21 degrees, many of us are already packing up the hampers for our alfresco reunions. But no picnic spread is complete without a refreshing drink, so with that in mind, we’ve rounded up some of the best options out there. From boozy to non-alcoholic, here are some of our favourite ready-to-drink bottles, cans and pouches that are guaranteed to elevate any afternoon in the sun (or rain).

Asterly Bros

Created by award-winning bartender Joe Schofield with curious cocktail connoisseurs in mind, the seasonal Cocktail Club from Asterley Bros can be purchased as a standalone box as either a two-cocktail serve option (perfect for early March picnics) or as a four- and ten-serve option – ideal for the long-awaited garden gatherings as we move into April. Bursting at the seams, the boxed delivery contains a treasure trove of in-season goodies for astute drinkers. If a Cocktail Club isn’t up your street, the pre-mixed cocktail pouches could be just the ticket. Available in single 100ml and one-litre glass-free pouches, the unique flavours offer a twist on traditional cocktails. The pouches are recyclable but it’s even better to reuse them: rinse out and fill with rose wine to take to the park with friend – just chuck in the freezer for an hour or two before you go. To find out more or to buy, visit the website here.

Feel Good drinks

Feel Good Drinks are good for your tastebuds and your wellbeing, encouraging consumers to take a step back, enjoy and make time to think about what makes them feel good in life. Made from a blend of fruit and sparkling water, the range has no artificial flavours, added sugar or sweeteners and contains 15% juice content – just enough for that burst of flavour. The refreshing drinks come in three uplifting flavours: Peach and Passionfruit; Rhubarb and Apple; and Raspberry and Hibiscus. All contain less than 27 calories per 330ml can, come in plastic-free packaging and are suitable for vegans. That’s not all – every drop does good too. The brand is committed to sustainability and donates 3% of sales to charities that support personal and planetary wellbeing. Feel Good Drinks are available to purchase from Ocado, Booths, WHSmith Travel and via their website for £1.19.

White Claw

White Claw Hard Seltzer is hard seltzer, plain and simple. Using only sparkling water blended with triple distilled alcohol and a hint of natural fruit flavour, White Claw offers pure refreshment with no artificial sweeteners and low calories, making it the go-to choice for drinking occasions anywhere, anytime – especially for alfresco gatherings. White Claw is gluten-free, has an ABV of 4.5% and is just 95 calories per 330ml. Served cold and straight from the can. Find White Claw on all major retailers and on White Claw website for £2.50.

Pocket Negroni

Aberdeen-based distillery Porter’s Gin, which launched its letterbox gift delivery service Send a Negroni last year, is now offering its popular negroni recipe in perfectly portioned and transportable small cans that fit in your pocket. The renowned negroni recipe from Send A Negroni is available pre-batched into individual servings ready to be enjoyed in your garden or at summer picnics and parties once lockdown restrictions are lifted. The cans are available to purchase online here for £5.

Empirical Cans 01 and 02

Copenhagen-based, self-proclaimed “flavour company” Empirical’s canned cocktail offering showcases the company’s flavour-first ethos. The two different expressions, CAN 01 and CAN 02, use uniquely selected ingredients for refreshing and delicious cocktails that you can imbibe anywhere. CAN 01 is a mixture of whole milk oolong tea, toasted birch and green gooseberry while CAN 02 is a a fun concoction consisting of sour cherry, black currant buds, young pine cone and walnut wood. Both are available to purchase on the Empirical webshop at £11 per pair.

World of Zing

As we anticipate the ease of lockdown, the countdown is officially on for socialising in the sun. Keeping spirits high, World of Zing, the pioneers of craft bottled cocktails, has launched their Cocktail Party Pouches for you and your fellow merry makers to enjoy this summer. Whether at a picnic, barbeque or drinks in the park, World of Zing has got your pre-made cocktails at the ready, priced from £10. The cocktails are available in either a 250ml pouch or a 1.5l Magnum pouch ideal for larger events and come a range of seven flavours: Passionfruit Margarita, Pornstar Martini, Bordeaux Negroni, Persian Lime Margarita, Rhubarb Cosmo, Manhattan Whiskey Sour, Salted Caramel Espresso Martini. Order online here. 

El Sueño Margarita and Paloma

El Sueño is a tequila for the 21^st century, specifically crafted to go perfectly in long drinks and cocktails such as margaritas. El Sueño is a premium mix like no other. The launch of its ready-to-drink cans makes it easier to enjoy the refreshing tequila cocktails, margarita and paloma, on the go in the garden and park. The cans are available to purchase at Sainsbury’s here for just £1.25 per can (RRP £1.75).

Sipful

Created by husband and wife duo Emily and Darius Darwell, Sipful creates 250ml, fully recyclable canned wine and canned cocktails with a conscience. Toast celebratory moments with Organic Bubbly, Orange Mimosa, Blood Orange Mimosa and Bellini, all created using organic wine and 100% natural fruit. The drinks are available to purchase from the Sipful online shop, priced at £16.50 for a four-pack of Mimosas and Bellinis and £17.95 for a four-pack of Organic Bubbly.

Porter’s Hippy Fizz

Porter’s, the light and refreshing modern classic gin, has canned one of its most-loved recipes for at-home delivery. The Hippy Fizz cocktail has been expertly pre-batched into individual servings, ready to be enjoyed at home. The rich, herbaceous highball has a tropical base thanks to a combination of pineapple shrub and malted passionfruit which blends seamlessly with the elevated citrus of Porter’s Gin and a herbal note of patchouli. Once chilled, the cocktail is ready to drink – either straight from the can or, for a perfect serve, over ice in a highball glass. Cans are available to purchase here or on Porter’s website, priced at £4 per can £34 for a pack of 12.

Nonsuch Shrubs Soda 

For those wanting to stay off the booze, Nonsuch offers four non-alcoholic sparkling sodas created using fruit and vinegar-based shrubs. Their range of 0% ABV drinks has remarkable depth and complexity due to the mouthfeel attained by the vinegar component of the drink. Sour Cherry and Garden Mint; Blood Orange and Bitter Lemon; Blackcurrant and Juniper; Peach and Basil: there are four fresh flavours to choose from for your delicious, fruity spritz. The cans are available to purchase from the Nonsuch online shop, priced at three 250ml bottles for £9.99 or six for £18.

Mirabeau pret-a-porter

Award-winning, innovative rosé winemaker Mirabeau’s Pret-a-Porter cans make enjoying quality rosé on the go as simple as possible. A delicate peach pink colour, the rosé wine offers fresh fruit aromas to the nose: white peach, strawberry, pears and subtle hints of orange marmalade and roses. On the palate it’s generous and ample with peach and subtle berry notes, but with a nice crisp acidity. This is a tasty but refreshing wine that pairs perfectly with a fun day out in the park or by the beach. The cans are available to purchase in Waitrose stores nationwide and through Waitrose online for £3.49 per can.

Estrella Galicia 

Estrella Galicia World Lager is renowned for being a beer that pairs effortlessly with great food due to its light body and fine texture. The aromas provided by the hops and the light flavour of malt make it easy to drink and the perfect refreshing beer to enjoy with both barbecues and picnics in the sunshine. The great taste of Estrella Galicia World Lager can also be enjoyed in alcohol-free and gluten-free variations. World Lager is available to purchase from Waitrose, priced at  £5 for a pack of four, while the alcohol-free and gluten-free varieties are available to purchase through the Greene King online shop at £9 or £12 for six, respectively.

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