There’s something special about a summer picnic. Whether it’s your local park, a riverside walk or a quiet patch of countryside, enjoying simple food outdoors is one of life’s pleasures.
Breathing in the summer scents and basking in the sunshine are the perfect pastime for weekends and the longer summer evenings, but knowing what to pack to make a great picnic and how to create something refreshing, sustainable and a little different can often be a little time-consuming.
So here are our top tips to inspire you…
What to pack?
Keep it simple is our main tip. You don’t want to be weighed down by a heavy bag, but you do want the essentials, so don’t forget something to sit on. To avoid carrying cutlery and plates, we suggest opting for finger food that you can buy locally or prepare in advance at home, and make sure you include dipping sauces. Our top savoury favourite picks include:
- A mix of goat, sheep and cow cheeses that come in a variety of textures and flavours – take your pick from a spread of hard, soft, blue, creamy or mild – whatever works for you, but prepare them as batons or dips in advance.
- Crackers with dipping chutney to bring out the cheesy flavours and technically be a plate that is consumed, so no washing up later.
- Sausage or veggie rolls, a Bedfordshire Clanger or Cornish Pasty are also on our top savoury snacks list.
- And don’t forget the salty buzz you get from black or green olives, capers or pickles – no picnic is complete without.
If you’ve still got room in your bag, then add some fruit or a small salad - you don’t need much to make it feel like a treat.
But what to pair your picnic delights with?
Instead of sugary drinks or bottled options, try making your own infused water at home. It’s easy, refreshing and better for the planet.
We’ve some fantastic flavour ideas to try:
- Infused water with pear and sage complements a strong cheese perfectly.
- Whilst water infused with apple and fennel provides a crisp and slightly sweet tang that harmonises with a blue cheese.
- Why not try water infused with strawberries and basil leaves, cuts through deliciously with a creamy goat's cheese.
Here’s how to add some extra flavour. Slice your ingredients and drop them into tap water. Chill overnight, then pour them into a reusable bottle before heading out. You can leave the fruit and herbs in for extra flavour or strain them out if you prefer a cleaner sip.
Pairing your picnic with tap water is fantastic, it’s a fresh and wholesome resource that we all need to keep ourselves hydrated throughout the summer. What makes it so great is that we test and treat your water from source to tap to some of the highest standards in the world. If you want to know more, you can check your local water quality to see exactly what’s in it, right the way down to what the natural minerals are, such as calcium and magnesium.
Water tastes great, whether it’s straight from the tap, has bubbles added or is infused with some fresh fruity flavours. But the remarkable thing about infused tap water is that there are knock-on benefits to you and to the environment that are not always thought about. Every time you choose tap water, you are reducing single-use plastic, reducing plastic waste, which is better for the environment, you’re saving money, and you’re creating your very own custom flavour that is unique to what’s in your garden or fridge.
Sometimes, particularly during the summer months, water seems cloudy or tastes different, but don’t worry, check out our handy tastes, odours and appearance guide to understand more.
Where to go to enjoy your picnic?
There are some beautiful places to enjoy, where you can take in the architecture or the wildlife. If you need some inspiration to find the perfect picnic spot that’s close to you, then why not explore our ‘Stream Experience map’ to find your local spot. It’s packed with walking trails, nature spots and peaceful green spaces; many are near the same water sources that supply your taps.
Try It Out
Next time you’re heading out, pack a reusable bottle of infused tap water with your picnic. It’s tasty, eco-friendly, and made with water you can trust.
Do you have a favourite infusion recipe that you love or has been handed down through the generations? Get creative, share a picture or tell us about it, we want to hear about your love of water and let’s inspire others to try the wonders of water too.
Looking to learn more about your water? Join us on social for ‘Tap-In Tuesday’, where we separate fact from fiction and show why tap water is the real deal!