Recipes and Essentials for the Perfect Picnic

The Desire Company is here to help you plan the perfect picnic! With the weather warming up, there's no excuse not to get outside and enjoy a meal with friends or family. We've put together a list of recipes and essentials that will make your picnic perfect. So pack your basket, and let us show you how to have a fun and delicious picnic this spring!

How to Pick the Perfect Picnic Place

The first step to planning a perfect picnic is finding the perfect place. You'll want to choose a spot that's scenic and has plenty of room for everyone to spread out. If you're picnicking in your backyard, make sure to mow the lawn and clear away any debris. If you're picnicking at the park, find a spot that's away from the playground and has a picnic table or blanket. Once you've found the perfect spot, it's time to start planning your menu!

What to Pack for Your Perfect Picnic

No matter where you're picnicking, there are a few essential items you'll need to pack. Our experts are here to help us create a picnic to remember with some of their own very favorite products.

A Blanket

You could always just pile your stuff up on the grass, but where's the fun in that? A picnic is the perfect opportunity to get cozy on a blanket. Yoga therapist Ivorie Jenkins recommends this Benevolence Serape Falsa Blanket for yoga, but we think it would make the perfect foundation for your picnic. And if it gets a little chilly when the sun goes down, you can snuggle up with your sweetie under the stars.

Flowers

A picnic is a chance to spend some time in the wilderness--or as close as you can get to it in a city. If you don't have a ready supply of wild flowers to pluck into a nice little bouquet, you might have to source your flowers from somewhere else. Audra Lamb recommends flowers from trusty ol' Trader Joe's.

A Music Player

What's a picnic without music? Make sure to pack a portable speaker so you can enjoy your favorite tunes while you eat. What's the song of the summer? Who cares! You can make it whatever you want with a Bluetooth speaker. Our expert Morgan Findlay likes the Bose Soundlink Bluetooth Speaker.

A Cold Beverage

Glacce (pronounced "glass") makes a water bottle that our pilates pro Laura Konz recommends (and reviews in this video). It's perfect for a hot day, because it has a cool design that keeps your drinks cold for at least as long as your picnic. Secret Desire Company Tip: you don't have to put water in this water bottle. Use your imagination.

Something to Wear

You have to dress appropriately for whatever you're doing, but especially if you're going to be outside and doing anything active. Physical therapist and Desire Company pro Dr. David Odom recommends these shorts from Vuori.

A Game to Play

Wait, what if your picnic date is your dog? What a great idea! Desire Company pro dog trainer Rachel Sample recommends Herodisc USA's flying disks (you and I might call them frisbees). They're great for playing with your pup but they work just as well with people. Try one out and get your appetite up for the meals about to come.

Memories to Share

If it's the first picnic of the year, or just another picnic among many you're enjoying, you're going to want to record your experience for perpetuity. Desire Company expert Joshua Sawtell recommends this lens from Moment, letting you step up your photography and make photos and videos you'll be proud to share.

Great Picnic Recipes

Now that you know what to bring on your perfect picnic, it's time to start planning your menu. Here are some of our favorite recipes for a perfect picnic.

Appetizer: Brussels Sprout Chips (and Dip!)

Let's start out with something easy. Have you ever had brussels sprouts? They're a type of cabbage, and while they got a bad rap for years because people weren't always making them very good (there aren't many vegetables that get tastier when you boil them), they've enjoyed a bit of a renaissance lately. This recipe from chef Daniella Malfitano is super easy and super tasty and will whet your appetite for the main course.

Main Course: French Onion Avocado Burger & Fries

Chef Matthew Ridgeway comes to spice up our picnic with a French twist on an American classic. It all comes together with an Impossible Burger Patty and includes a side of cottage fries, which are way better than regular fries (but don't tell anyone we told you that).

Cocktail: Easy Basil Tom Collins Cocktail

This cocktail is perfect for a picnic because it's refreshing, flavorful, and not too strong. It's also easy to make ahead of time, so you don't have to worry about packing a lot of ingredients or tools. Hey, you could even throw it in that "water" bottle from Glacce! Let chef Sasha Sincic show you the way.

Alright, now you have everything you could possibly need to make a picnic perfect. So get out there and enjoy the weather! Don't forget the sunblock!

Happy picnicking!