Whether you’re getting together with friends or eating al fresco in your backyard, it’s time to make the most of the sunshine while it lasts.
Read on for a list of fun summer date ideas, and the best summer Aperol cocktails to pair with your outdoor activities.
Plan the perfect date
Planning the perfect outdoor date in summer means you need to plan the perfect summer drink. We think that a summer Aperol Spritz can be the cocktail for your friends to sip on, or as the cherry on top (or slice of orange) of a perfect romantic date.
Not only is an Aperol Spritz delicious in any kind of weather, but it’s easy to make wherever your date takes place. All you need is a couple of ingredients, and you have something tasty and thirst-quenching to round off your day.
Aperol and Prosecco along with a dash of soda water, or sparkling water if you don’t have club soda, is all you really need. A wine glass filled with ice and a wedge of orange combine for the classic Italian Aperol Spritz recipe.
Make your date one to remember and treat your beau to the perfect Aperol Spritz. Salute!
What to pack for a date by the lake:
The best summer date ideas start with creating the right atmosphere. Wherever you end up having it, no summer outdoor date is complete without the right drinks, nibbles, and goodies:
Picnic blanket
Keep those grass stains away and get comfy in the sunshine.
Picnic basket
Go traditional with a cute wicker basket or bring an insulated bag to keep your cocktails ice cold.
Picnic drinks
You have to stay hydrated, so make sure you have plenty of water as well as some tasty drinks for your afternoon in the sun (Aperol Spritz anyone?).
Snacks and nibbles
Live la dolce vita with some olives, antipasti and a fresh green salad, or take a trip down memory lane with your favourite sandwiches and chips from your childhood.
Portable speaker
The best summer date night ideas always include a sizzling Summer soundtrack, so charge your speaker up and create lasting connections.
Games
Whether you’re the sporty type or a complete Scrabble geek, pack your bat and ball, your frisbee, or your deck of cards and get competitive!
Our top outdoor date ideas
There are so many cute summer date ideas and ways to make your date special, from picking a unique location to planning a themed meal. Here are some of our favourite activities to brighten up your summer.
Work up an appetite with a hike
Take a romantic stroll or an energizing hike with friends. If you live near cliffs, mountains or forests, this is a great activity to get your adrenaline pumping before you sit back and take in the views.
Create a backyard cinema
A great choice if you’re having a picnic at your place, this is one idea that you can do inside or outside. For a sunset cinema, get a portable projector against a sheeted wall, and if it starts to rain then simply take the screening inside for a cozy evening around the TV.
Give your menu a theme
If you’re a foodie, why not give your date a theme? Create an official menu and pair your drinks with each course. Homemade focaccia and summer drinks of Aperol Spritz to start, affogato and limoncello to finish. Buon appetito!
Get crafty
For a creative date idea, why not bring some paints, paper and whatever else you like so you can craft and snack at the same time. Take inspiration from the feast in front of you, your beautiful surroundings, or your fabulous group of friends.
Turn your back garden into your own slice of Venice with some delicious Italian picnic food ideas that pair perfectly with an Aperol summer cocktail (our favourite is the Aperol Spritz, of course!).
- ‘Nduja sausage rolls – easy to make beforehand, this picnic staple has been given the Italian treatment with moreish ‘nduja and fresh thyme.
- Fig and prosciutto crostini – sweet, salty, and undeniably Italian, this is one treat that you can all enjoy assembling yourself.
- Tramezzini – give finger sandwiches an Italian twist with tramezzini, bursting with homemade olive oil mayonnaise and Mediterranean inspired flavours such as buffalo mozzarella, aubergine, basil and capers.
Creative summer date ideas
The summer offers us an opportunity to get out and enjoy so many cool things. It also allows us to get creative and to find new ways to enjoy the weather, and great company. Whether it is going for walks or bike rides, music festivals or simply finding that perfect patio to people watch there are so many fun activities to take in over the summer.
Enjoy the variety of things you can do together, and make the Aperol Spritz your drink of the summer as you discover your favourite date ideas together.
