With summer fast approaching, restaurants opening and the freedom of al fresco dining at large, it’s time to be inspired by this year’s posh picnic etiquette. 2021 is set to be a year of bourgeois outdoor dining with friends, family and colleagues. So, it’s time to get yourself set for the ultimate picnic, with my top ten essentials. Part 1 introduces the tipples of summer—let’s get started!

Don Papa Rum

This gorgeous premium single-island rum from the Philippines has created four signature cocktails for spring, each inspired by the floral season. Whether it’s the fiery Jungle Nectar or the velvety Avalon Awakens, welcome the start of spring properly this Alfresco April. Don Papa is £32 from Sainsbury’s.

Botanica Obscura Cocktail Recipe

Jazz up your picnic by showing off your cocktail-making skills: In a cocktail shaker, add Don Papa Rum, lemon juice, hibiscus syrup and mole bitters. Add ice and shake. Strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with an edible flower. Perfection!

Salcombe Gin

Michelin-starred Chef Paul Ainsworth collaborates with an award-winning distillery to create a gin inspired by his signature dish ‘A Tale of Porthilly’—Salcombe Gin Voyager Series ‘Daring’.

This exceptional gin has been developed to mimic the rich, smooth mouthfeel and fresh umami and zinc-like properties of the Cornish oyster. Salcombe Gin is the perfect limited-edition luxury gin to have at the ready for friends and loved ones. Limited to 10,000 bottles. Buy yours today. RRP £75.

Taittinger Brut NV Half Bottle

The Brut Réserve is renowned for its golden yellow colour with a consistent, fine, lingering mousse. The nose is light and delicate with hints of fruit and brioche. The palate is lean but has considerable depth and elegance with a long fresh finish. There is no specific drinking occasion for the Brut Réserve. Its elegance and lightness give it the flexibility to be the Champagne for the moment, but it is always an excellent aperitif. Head over to Champagne Direct for yours, RRP: £24.90.

Croft Twist

Croft Twist is a blend of the finest Croft Fino from Gonzalez Byass’s home of Jerez in Spain, with natural elderflower, lemon and mint cordials, delicately muddled with sparkling water.

This refreshing, ready-to-drink spritz draws inspiration from the traditional Andalusian drink Rebujito (a blend of Fino, mint and lemonade). Buy yours from Amazon and Harvey Nichols with an RRP of £2.50 per can.

Cazcabel Tequila

From the Jalisco mountains in Mexico comes the world’s first tequila board game, La Lotería. La Lotería is a hand-illustrated version of the Mexican classic bingo-style game, the aim of which is to be the first to match all the pictures on the sheet, La Tabla, with those called out by the host from the deck of cards. Why not host a Mexican extravaganza this year with friends, grab a bottle of Cazcabel Blanco Tequila and mix up some margaritas whilst playing La Lotería. Cazcabel La Lotería RRP: £19.99. Available from Cazcabel.

Cotswolds No. 1 Wildflower Gin

Cotswolds No. 1 is a blend of cornflowers, lavender, orange and rhubarb root, layered over a classic London Dry gin. It is a fragrant, full-strength gin bursting with natural flavour and delicate floral aromas of summer meadows. Cotswolds No. 1 Wildflower Gin makes for a fabulous and refreshing gin spritz when mixed with premium tonic, ice and garnished with a slice of orange. RRP: £34.95 for 700ml bottle. Available from: Cotswolds Distillery, Master of Malt and Amazon.

Sacred Bottle Aged Negroni

Independent distillery Sacred has taken each ingredient from the classic Negroni cocktail and developed the very best all-natural English equivalents to make a completely English Negroni. Equal parts of our classic Sacred Gin, Rosehip Cup and English Spiced Vermouth combine in the bottle to allow the ingredients to marry. Perfect straight from the fridge over ice with a slice of orange and great to take to parties and picnics.

This drink doubles up to make the perfect spritz! Sacred Gin, £29.95.

Domaine Clarence Dillon – Clarendelle Blanc 2019

This wine is absolutely beautiful. The initial impression on the nose is of white flower (acacia) aromas, alongside brioche and butter overtones. It starts out delicious, round and rich with beautiful minerality. Notes of beeswax and honey follow through to the palate, underpinned by orange zest nuances, and enhanced by a rich, velvety mouthfeel and silky texture. The perfect accompaniment to some much-needed sunshine.

You can purchase Clarendelle Blanc at Bordeaux Index Fine Wine & Spirits for £14.58.

The Green Shoots Case – A Mixed Dozen

The Green Shoots Case highlights a selection of wines that are perfect for the changing seasons. Symbolically created to match the changing weather, as freshness and warmth start to overturn damper, colder months, the Green Shoots Case provides a range of wines from every category to pair with seasonally inspired dishes. Included in the case are some celebratory fizz, aromatic and crisp whites, poised rosés and juicy reds. RRP £115, buy now from Help4Hospitality.

Dealuri Premium Romanian Rosé 2020

A crisp, fresh rosé launching into Aldi in March 2021. The Dealuri Premium Rosé is a blend of classic grapes which creates this pale pink rosé with rich, fruity aromas. Notes of strawberry and cranberry on the nose, complemented by subtle hints of cherry and raspberry. You can get yourself one of these gorgeous rosés at Aldi for just £4.99.

Written by Kaya Cheshire for Luxuria Lifestyle London and International