How to Throw a Summer Picnic

Hosting Tips For the Holiday Weekend

There’s something about a picnic that feels romantic in the quietest way. It’s the easiest way to make a regular day feel like an event - and with a few thoughtful details, it easily becomes something people remember.

Here’s how to do it Flavor Garden style:

1. Start with Texture

Ditch the polyester picnic blanket. A white or neutral-colored sheet (think linen or washed cotton) sets the tone - it photographs well, feels elevated, and makes everything you place on it look intentional. Then, layer a chic basket, an eye-catching cutting board, and a mesh bag of produce. You’re not just eating - you’re curating.

2. The Drink is the Moment

Mini bottles of wine/drink of choice over a bag of ice. Bonus points if you pour into vintage glassware instead of sipping from the bottle (but honestly, do you). Don’t forget a simple garnish like a sprig of thyme or basil in your glass, the vibe is high-effort energy with zero effort needed.

Give this batch Spicy Pineapple Margarita a try.

3. Choose a Menu with a Mood

Keep it simple and photogenic. No foil-wrapped sandwiches or soggy pasta salads. Let the ingredients and the setup set the tone. Here are a few picnic-ready gathering ideas:

Backyard Bash — Try Green Tomato Sandwich or The Good Burger

The kind of food that feels easy, sunny, and a little special is perfect for the kind of backyard hang I’d throw together with a few girlfriends and no heavy planning.

The Green Tomato Sandwich is crisp, bright, and travels like a dream, elevated without trying too hard. Then there’s the Good Burger — easy, flavorful, and built with toppings that are simple to pack and serve on their own, making it perfect for a build-your-own burger setup that feels a little fancy without the fuss.

Both are crowd-pleasers. Both taste like sunshine. And both are expected at every summer function I host!

Golden Hour Get Together— try this Sweet Corn Focaccia

This picnic lives in the slow fade of late afternoon - where everything feels soft, golden, and a little undone in the best way. This Sweet Corn Focaccia tears easily is tasty enough to be the star of any menu.

Beach Sunset - try this Roasted Tomato Salad or Sweet Corn Salad

This picnic feels light, crisp, and smells like the ocean. Think farmers market ingredients served at the beach. The Roasted Tomato Salad is the star of the show - served chilled, it’s refreshing but grounding tasting like summer at its peak. This Sweet Corn Salad turns a basic salad into something colorful and decadent, but full of warmth. Perfect to enjoy with the sound of crashing waves as background noise.

4. Bring Your Statement Piece

This is the “if you know, you know” moment. Think crystal coupe glasses, embroidered linen napkins, or a playlist you made just for the day. It doesn’t need to scream, rather effortlessly whisper that you curated every detail. My Dinner Part Playlist is Tried and true. I’m linking it here for you.

5. Prep + Pack Like a Pro

The secret to a flawless picnic? Packing like you actually know what you’re doing. Ditch the plastic bags and random mismatched containers - Caraway’s sleek glass food storage is my go-to for keeping things neat, leakproof, and aesthetic. Bring your favorite serving pieces to keep it feeling curated, but make cleanup so seamless it’s basically part of the aesthetic. Tuck in folded linen napkins to cradle your glassware and stash a mesh produce bag for trash and recycling. A travel-size sanitizer spray and cloth are perfect for wiping down sticky fingers and dishes. Lastly, pack it all in a soft-sided cooler that gives chic weekender rather than basic lunch bag.

That’s the formula: a little planning, a few pretty things, and your closest friends. Tag us @flavor.garden when you picnic - we’ll be quietly obsessed.

See you next time in Flavor Garden,

Roti

Instagram @rotiibrown & @flavor.garden

TikTok @rotiibrown