NA Summer Picnic Guide: The Best Alcohol-Free Wines, Beers & Cocktails for the Park
NA Summer Picnic Guide
Seattle summers don’t last long, which is exactly why we treat every sunny afternoon like a precious gift. The parks fill up, blankets come out, and someone always brings the portable speaker. While most picnic baskets are stuffed with rosé or craft beer, let’s be real — the vibe hits different when you’ve got an alcohol-free lineup that’s just as crisp, complex, and celebratory (without the hangover shadowing your Monday morning).
At Cheeky & Dry we’ve curated the perfect zero-proof companions for your next picnic, whether you’re stretched out at Gas Works, ferry-hopping to Bainbridge, or staking your claim on a lake.
The Sparkle Factor
Picnics call for bubbles, always. A chilled non-alcoholic sparkling wine sets the tone, whether you’re clinking glasses over cheese and strawberries or just enjoying the smug satisfaction of having remembered a corkscrew. If you’d rather skip the glassware altogether, toss in a few ready-to-drink spritzes. They’re picnic gold — cute cans, great flavors, and no effort required.
Sparkling Wine Recommendations:
Bolle, Blanc de Blanc and Rose, London
E de M N.0, Rose, Spain
Kisume, France
Joyus White and Rose, Washington
Dr. Lo Dry Riesling. Germany
Sovi Rose in a can, California
OddBird Blanc de Blanc Split, France
Beer, but Make It Chill
For those “just one more handful of chips” moments, crack open a cold NA lager or pilsner. It’s salty-snack heaven. Feeling a little extra? A hazy IPA pairs beautifully with that spicy hummus or whatever mystery salad your friend brought. And don’t forget the fruit-forward ciders — they’re basically summer in a can and play ridiculously well with charcuterie or stone fruit.
Beer Recommendations
Self Care Hazy IPA, Olympia, WA
Fremont Orange Whit, Ballard, WA
Atmosphere Pilsner, Germany
Go Brewing New School Sour Berry, IL
Best Day Kolsch, CA
Suntory All-Free, Japan
No calories, no carbs, no alcohol
Golden State Cider, CA
Cocktails Without the Drama
If you’re feeling fancy, pre-batch a cocktail at home and slip it into your cooler like the picnic pro you are. A zero-proof G&T with cucumber slices will keep things breezy, or a bright and spicy margarita with non-alcoholic tequila works magic next to chips and guac. And for the friend who insists on an “aperitivo moment” at the park? A splash of non-alc aperitif with sparkling water and an orange slice delivers full Euro-holiday energy, no passport required.
Cocktail Fixing Recommendations
Dhos Gin
Free Spirits Tequila
Abstinence Blood Orange Aperitivo
Pentire Blood Orange Aperitivo
Giffard Elderflower
Crodino RTD's
Tenneyson Black Ginger
The Food Pairing Flex
Think of your NA drinks as the ultimate wingmen for your picnic spread. Cheese and crackers? They’ll thank you for a crisp sparkling wine. Grilled veggies? Bring on the bitter spritz. Fresh berries and a bar of good chocolate practically beg for a bold red alternative or a dark, roasty stout. And because this is Seattle, let’s not pretend someone won’t show up with smoked salmon — a dry rosé keeps things classy while staying firmly local.
Pro Tips for Picnic Glory
Upgrade your cooler game. Forget boring ice packs — freeze water bottles, cans of sparkling water, or even grapes. Yes, frozen grapes. They’ll keep everything cold and double as the world’s most refreshing snack once they thaw.
Blanket math: bigger is always better. You think one throw will cut it? Rookie mistake. Go king-size, quilt-level, or heck — pack two and pretend you’re running an outdoor lounge. Nobody likes soggy butt on damp Seattle grass.
Finger food forever. If it requires a knife and fork, it’s not invited. Wraps, skewers, and berries reign supreme. Bonus points for anything that looks suspiciously like a charcuterie board, but travels like a lunchable.
Bring your own shade (and style). That Seattle sun feels personal when it finally shows up. A floppy hat, a parasol, or even a small beach umbrella will keep you cool and looking smug while everyone else squints.
Cleanup, but make it chic. Wet wipes and extra bags are essential, but if you really want to flex, pack compostable plates and bamboo forks. Eco-warrior energy pairs nicely with sparkling rosé.
Add the weird flair. Sure, frisbees and playlists are classics, but why stop there? Pack a bubble wand. A Polaroid camera. A set of lawn dice. Even a deck of tarot cards if you’re feeling mysterious. Nothing bonds a group faster than predicting everyone’s romantic future over potato salad.
Snack insurance. Hide one special treat just for you — fancy chocolate, sea salt caramels, or a bag of chips you don’t intend to share. Because let’s face it, picnics are fun, but communal snack tables are war zones.
Your Basket, Upgraded
Here’s the deal: Seattle summer is short, your weekends are precious, and life’s too fun to waste on bad beverages. That’s why we’ve already done the heavy lifting — curating picnic-perfect bottles, cans, and mixers that are chilled, stylish, and downright show-offs in your cooler.
So whether you’re ferry-bound with oysters in your tote, hosting a blanket kingdom at Gas Works, or plotting a Golden Gardens sunset that may or may not involve sand in your shoes, we’ve got your back. Swing by Cheeky & Dry, tell us your picnic personality (romantic date? rowdy park hang? “kids ate all the snacks, send reinforcements”?), and we’ll build you a basket that tastes like summer without the hangover tax.
Now go claim your patch of grass, pop something sparkling, and raise a glass to the rarest Seattle delicacy of all: sunshine.
Cheers Darling!