The weather has been gorgeous lately, and it’s made me want to escape for a picnic. I’ve been intentionally carving out more time for myself—to think, read, and relax—and a simple outing to the park felt like the perfect way to do that.
When Ghirardelli reached out about their Savor the Dark subscription box created with Quarterly—featuring their rich Intense Dark chocolates and a signed copy of a summer read—it felt like a great excuse to take a small adventure: a short bike ride to the nearby park and an afternoon under a tree.
I packed my backpack, rode my bike, and settled down with a book. After a couple of hours I realized I’d brought more food and drink than one person could reasonably finish, so I called Jeff to join me before I ate myself into a food coma. It was lovely to have that little stretch of “me time” first.
Here’s what I packed for the picnic, including a simple summer cocktail recipe.
All the treats from my Ghirardelli Savor the Dark subscription box joined me: Intense Dark 72% Cacao Twilight Delight, Intense Dark Cherry Tango (my favorite), the new Intense Dark Cocoa Nibs bar, and the book I Almost Forgot About You by Terry McMillan. Ghirardelli also provides a handy mini chocolate-pairing guide online, which inspired the food and drink pairings I put together.
To complement the chocolate, I chose easy-to-transport snacks: fresh cherries, a selection of cheeses and crackers, almonds, and dried apricots. For drinks, I bottled a homemade cocktail—perfect for summer and effortless to bring along.
Boozy Blackberry Lemon Iced Tea
Ingredients:
- 4 cups fresh-brewed black tea
- 1/3 cup simple syrup (adjust to taste)
- 1 cup rum
- Juice of 1 lemon
- A handful of blackberries
- 3–5 mint sprigs
Method:
Muddle the blackberries and mint, then combine all ingredients in a pitcher or glass jar. Stir or shake well and serve over ice. This cocktail pairs particularly well with Ghirardelli Intense Dark 72% Cacao Twilight Delight for a refreshing, slightly indulgent treat.
I also brought a few blankets and my favorite pillow so I could spread out comfortably—no grass stains or surprise ants—and fully enjoy the afternoon.
Photography by Amelia Tatnall
Styling by Brittni Mehlhoff
What does your ideal picnic look like? Which snacks, drinks, sweet treats, and entertainment would you bring to make the day memorable?
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This post was created in partnership with Ghirardelli. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep Paper & Stitch running.