2 days ago
'Power picnics' are perfect for summer — but you have to follow five rules
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There's something about British summer that flips a switch in us.
Before you know it, you're down at the local park with Tupperware containers of M&S picky bits, a gingham blanket and a lukewarm bottle of rosé.
But, let's be honest, the British picnic is a slippery slope; shirts get unbuttoned, drinks get poured too early and a few hours later you wake up, face down on a tranche of melted camembert. Apparently…
That's why the 'Power Picnic' could be the perfect solution to our collective alfresco chaos.
This is a term I'm coining to describe al fresco eating and drinking that doesn't end in a blackout on the blanket. A picnic experience where flavour is at the forefront and the drinks are there to enhance, not derail your outdoor lunch. The 'power' in the name refers to the energy and focus you still have at the end of it, in case you're wondering.
And with National Picnic Week right around the corner (June 14 to 21), this couldn't have come at a better time.
You see, the idea of a power picnic ties in with people generally drinking less these days. In fact, a recent report by KAM Insights showed that all age groups under 55 are drinking alcohol less frequently, and 70% of 25 to 34-year-olds are actively looking for ways to lower their alcohol consumption.
I'm not suggesting ditching booze completely for adaptogenic beverages, kombucha and botanical beers, we're not weaving our own picnic basket over here. We're simply switching getting squiffy for naturally lower-ABV wines, mid-strength drinks alongside sharing platters and salads.
Another term for this is 'coasting'; drinking lower abv drinks for longer periods of time than, say, zebra striping or bookending. After all, no one wants to lose half the day passed out, face-down on melted cheese. I learnt that the hard way…
To avoid following in my footsteps, there are five rules of Power Picnic you'll want to adhere to, so you won't have to cancel your evening plans, apologise in group chats or spend £40 on Deliveroo when you get home because you neglected to eat carbs at lunch time. Don't talk about power picnic. No, sorry that's Fight Club. The first rule is actually to bring along wines that are naturally lighter in alcohol like prosecco-adjacent sparkling wines, spritzy Vinho Verde white wines or lighter reds, languishing in an ice bucket. Get clued up on mid-strength drinks – there's a whole category out there you probably haven't checked out yet. That'll be beers and ciders around the 2-3% mark, wines at 6-9% and spirits between 15-20% Become acquainted with spritzes; bring along a dinky bottle of vermouth, soda water and some ready-sliced citrus slices. It's simple, refreshing and delicious Don't be afraid of zero-alcohol drink options, they can be delicious – the likes of Pentire, Botivo, Bolle drinks are some of my favourites Canned drinks are crucial – they're eco-friendly, easier to transport and the quality is usually on point
And here are a few drinks options that would be perfect for your next power picnic…
Limited Editon Fairtrade Irresistible Tilimuqui Sparkling Brut 10.5%, Argentina, £9.50, Co-op
This is the first Fairtrade certified Argentine sparkling wine in the UK. It's made from the darling of Argentine white grapes, Torrontes, grown in the prestigious Famantina Valley. They use the same method of production as prosecco, for joyous, lemon blossomy bubbles. All that for under a tenner, now that's fair trade for you.
Torres de Lapela Vinho Verde 9.5%, Portugal, £5.50, Asda
Congratulations are in order, Asda has just been announced as the most awarded supermarket in the prestigious IWC 2025 (International Wine Challenge), scooping a whopping 155 medals for its wines. This rewarding bottle is naturally super light in alcohol and style. Vinho Verde is a humdinger of a white for the Power Picnic, with boat loads of fresh lime and lemon sherbet notes to get stuck into.
The Original Small Beer Lager 2.1%, England, £13.20 for 6, Majestic
A Great Taste Awards winner, brewed at their south London B-Corp certified brewery. They've also just done a collab with YouTube channel, Sorted Food. Anyhoo, it's brewed with Saaz, Mosaic and Galena hops, if that means anything to you. If it doesn't just know that it's made from sustainably-grown, British barley and is half the units, calories and carbs of a regular lager.
Maison Sassy Cidre Rose 3%, £5.65, Waitrose
A lighter cidre (you have to spell it the French way), made from 18 varieties of Normandy apples. Both sweet and tart apples for balance, while the pink colour is brought in naturally from red-fleshed apples. Imagine that. The style is mid-way between a sweet and off-dry cidre. And get this, they have a chateau called 'Chateau de Sassy' which is almost the best part. More Trending
Botivo Sparkling Botanical Aperitivo can, 0%, £20 per 6 cans,
Bottled Botivo is a go-to non-alcoholic option for me whenever I'm taking a break from booze. I love its smooth honey-herb combo with a vivifying kick of apple cider vinegar and its wormwood and gentian base notes. Now, they've released a ready-to-drink canned version, same ingredients with the addition of soda. I find this to be a super satisfying sip, especially when it's well chilled.
Al Fresco Red 11%, Spain, £8.50, Co-op
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Talk about a chillable red, this bottle is a proper fridge-dweller. Produced in Navarra, northeastern Spain, a country which excels in epic value for money wine. This one is the brainchild of a Master of Wine (MW) who used to work for Naked Wines, so he knows what he's doing. Made from Garnacha (Grenache), it's lighter than Pinot Noir with juicy flavours of pomegranate and dragon fruit.
If you count yourself a purveyor of the finer things in life, Metro's Drink Up column is where you need to be.
Immerse yourself in the world of good drink, fronted by industry expert Rob Buckhaven – a place for readers to whet their whistle with the latest and greatest in the world of drinks. From unpacking the best supermarket wines from Aldi, Tesco and Lidl, to introducing audiences to the wallet-friendly Cremant out-bubbling the fanciest of French Champagnes (or the best wines to drink after sex), and finding out what it's like to go on a bar crawl with Jason Momoa, this is a haven for those who love to celebrate.
Stay ahead of the curve as Rob plucks from the vines the wines of the season and the spirits you need to know about; speaking with experts and mixologists while unpacking the latest concoctions, finding the best non-alcoholic options for those looking to moderate, discovering the best food pairings for your drops, and going up against the latest TikTok chatter to demystify the liquid landscape.
Can you really make cheap vodka taste expensive by putting it through a Brita filter?
What happens when you put wine in a blender?
And, truly, how should we be storing our wine?
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