There’s something magical about enjoying tea outdoors. Whether it’s in your backyard, on the porch, at a park, or even right on your deck, a tea picnic turns an ordinary afternoon into a relaxing little escape. The beauty of a tea picnic is that it doesn’t have to be fancy or complicated. A few simple foods, a good cup of tea, and a peaceful place to sit are really all you need.
Savory Foods for a Tea Picnic
Tea Sandwiches
Tea sandwiches are light, flavorful, and easy to eat outdoors.
Good choices include:
- Cucumber and cream cheese
- Egg salad
- Smoked salmon and dill
- Chicken salad
Mini Quiches
Mini quiches taste great warm or cold.
Try:
- Spinach and cheese
- Bacon and cheddar
- Mushroom and onion
Savory Scones
Savory scones or small biscuits willpair beautifully with tea:
Simple Cheese Board
You can include:
- Cheddar and chive
- Rosemary parmesan
- Herb and garlic
Also include:
- Brie or goat cheese
- Crackers
- Olives
- Apple or pear slices
Sweet Treats for a Tea Picnic
Fresh Fruit
- Strawberries
- Grapes
- Blueberries
- Sliced peaches
Mini Desserts
- Lemon tarts
- Petite cupcakes
- Macarons
- Mini cheesecakes
Traditional Tea Sweets
- Shortbread cookies
- Blueberry or cranberry scones
- Jam and cream
Best Teas for a Picnic
Iced Tea Ideas
- Peach iced tea
- Lemon iced tea
- Mint iced tea
Light Hot Teas
- Jasmine green tea
- Earl Grey
- Lemon ginger herbal tea
- Peppermint tea
What to Pack for a Simple Tea Picnic
- Picnic basket or tote
- Blanket or small tablecloth
- Cloth napkins
- Teacups or travel mugs
- Thermos of hot tea or bottle of iced tea
Here’s a cool willow picnic basket on Amazon. I have one that’s similar.
Why Tea Picnics Are Special
Tea encourages us to slow down. A tea picnic reminds us that simple moments can be the most enjoyable.
All it takes is:
A good cup of tea
- A few simple treats
- A peaceful place to sit
And suddenly the day feels a little more special.
Discover more tea inspiration at:
https://APassionForTea.com
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Comments
I enjoy getting comments and questions from site visitors, you can leave yours below. -Shirley
4 Responses
Super timely and fun! Has me dreaming of some nice summer weather as I look out at snow in mid-March. Always looking for more ways to relax and enjoy some quiet time. Fresh fruit with a nice iced tea is perfect to me for a picnic. But going to try out some of these ideas and try to spend more time relaxing with a picnic basket.
Johb, thanks for your comment. I too am ready for “picnic” weather. It was so nice with trees budding out and then “bam” back to freezing here in Arkansas. I as up at 4:30sn drinking tea sat my dining table to help myself feel better. Hope ipu have a great day. -Shirley
Hello Shirley,
I loved this idea so much. A tea picnic just sounds like one of those simple pleasures that can turn an ordinary afternoon into something really memorable. The way you described packing the basket made it feel cozy and intentional instead of complicated. Things like tea sandwiches, scones, fruit, and little cookies really are perfect for outdoor tea because they’re easy to eat and travel well in a basket.
Reading this also made me think about how nice it is to slow down for small moments like this. I’m a stay at home mom and between homeschooling and running my websites, most days move pretty fast. But the idea of packing a small basket with tea and simple snacks and just sitting outside for a while honestly sounds like the kind of reset we all need sometimes.
I also like how you focused on making the setup feel a little special with cups, napkins, and a cozy blanket. Little details like that can really change the mood of the whole experience.
Now I’m curious though. If someone was putting together their very first tea picnic, what tea would you personally recommend bringing along? Something light and refreshing, or something more classic like an Earl Grey?
Angela M 🙂
Angela, thanks for reading my post and your comments. I’m thinking about waiting for a couple of nice, sunny days with 80°F temps here in NW Arkansas and having a “Picnic Tea” myself. There are 7 lakes around me, and many have picnic tables under pavilions. I’ll take a tablecloth, put it on one of the tables, and lay out my Tea things. I’m thinking I’ll brew some herbal tea and ice it (maybe dandelion or blueberry lavender). I can take it in a thermos and bring a tea kettle to pour it into and serve from. Simple sandwiches like tuna or chicken salad would be nice, and I’ll cut up some cheese and serve it with grapes, blueberries, and stuffed olives. Since I’m eating low-carb right now, I’ll get some Nut-Thin crackers to have with the tuna/chicken salad. I can make some little quiche squares the night before and serve them “room temp”. I have a few cinnamon sticks and honey sticks I can take as well. I’ll be very careful with my tea china. As for tea types, Earl Grey would be great, as would a peach or lemon tea. I get a lot of my tea from “The Republic of Tea” shop on Amazon, so I’ll look for something there. Looks like they have several mint-type teas. Here’s a link to the shop on Amazon. I love their beautiful containers. Best wishes – Shirley