What to pack for a luxury beach picnic
11 Jul 2025
Forget sandy sandwiches and pack your beach-bound picnic hamper with luxurious chocolate delights…
We all love a summer picnic with friends and family. But what if you wanted to enjoy a lavish yet intimate beach picnic for two?
Obviously, breadsticks and a tub of supermarket hummus aren’t going to cut it — but don’t overlook the lure of cacao-rich treats to elevate your beach picnic from sand and sandwiches to a never-to-be-forgotten experience.
Why chocolate elevates any occasion
Chocolate makes an instant emotional connection. Our cacao-packed Selectors and Sleeksters can hit you with a bright, uplifting burst of fruit or enrobe you in dark, decadent richness. So many traditions and memories are linked to chocolate; the perfect, meltingly tender Truffle or delectably snackable Slab is always evocative and makes the ideal, affordable indulgence.
We believe luxurious chocolate is a blend of carefully curated cacao beans, natural flavourings and a healthy dollop of sustainability and ethics. More to the point, we think chocolate elevates any gathering, from sharing your favourite Selector with your bestie to a picnic à deux on the beach, creating a moment of pleasure that’s beyond price.

The best summer chocolate options
Summer is all about fresh flavours that pair well with a sunny afternoon. It’s the time for indulgent ice cream and zingy berry fruits. Crisp, refreshing watermelon and the bright tang of citrus. Chilled beverages and iced indulgences. Who doesn’t love those evocative tastes paired with creamy, delectable chocolate?
These are our summer favourites to make your luxury beach picnic effortlessly indulgent.
Ice cream reimagined
Our Ice Cream Swirls are the perfect scene setters for your chocolate buffet. Scoops of Vanilla, Raspberry and Chocolate Hazelnut reimagined as cacao-rich treats with bags of nostalgia. Savour each flavour in all its melty, magical glory and remember days at the beach with a twist.
Fruity favourites
Who can resist our Summer Desserts Sleekster? Each of our 16 recipes evokes a favourite summer treat, from moreish macarons to indulgent Mississippi Mud Pie and our twist on the iconic Cherry Coconut Slice.
Want to capture that relaxed summer vibe? Our intensely flavoured Fruity Chocolates are brimming with enticing natural flavours. Try the Exuberantly Fruity Sleekster with its tantalising Passion Fruit Baby Truffles and zesty Blackcurrant Bombes. Or fall for our Raspberry White Chocolate Batons, perfect for nibbling on the beach.
Luscious iced chocolate
For perfect picnic refreshment, there’s one clear winner. With our Bannoffee Pie Hot Chocolate, you’re just 2.5 minutes away from chilled chocolate perfection — Iced Chocolate in the Velvetiser couldn’t be easier.
- First, prepare your chocolate with 120ml of the milk of your choice.
- Then pour over plenty of ice with an additional 100ml of chilled milk.
- Decant into a vacuum flask and enjoy the heady notes of succulent banana, gooey toffee and dreamy chocolate as you apply the factor 50.
The ideal sundowner
Heading for the beach at sundown? Pack a box of our Summer Cocktails to Chill. Made with authentic recipes and specially formulated to survive a trip to the fridge, our Martinis and Mojitos are brimming with zesty refreshment and make the perfect end to a lazy beach day.
Keeping cacao cool at the beach
There’s only one drawback to taking your favourite Sleeksters and Slabs to the beach. Indulging in your favourite treats is tricky when the weather heats up and things start to melt.
The obvious answer is to chill everything down. Unfortunately, storing chocolate in the fridge can impact its taste and texture, causing it to bloom. But never fear: there are ways to store your chocolate, even at the beach, without losing out on its indulgent appeal.
Ideally, you’ll already be storing your chocolate in a cool spot at home — between 15°C and 18°C is perfect. Tuck it in an airtight container to preserve texture and flavour.
For a beachside picnic when perfection matters, pop your Selectors or other chocolates into the fridge for a few hours to chill down. Tightly wrap in foil for protection and to help the chilling process. Then grab your picnic basket and pop in your chocolates with a handy ice pack so your bars stay solid and delectably snappy.
Then it’s up to you whether you keep your picnic basket in the shade of your beach umbrella, or let a carefully chosen Slab melt into a dribbly, decadent chocolate fondue, perfect for dipping juicy strawberries, salty pretzels and other fun morsels.
Beach picnic ideas for the luxe aesthetic
It can be challenging to know what to pack for a beach picnic. But when you want to create an indulgent, elevated feel for a special celebration or a romantic rendezvous, it’s all about the quiet luxury vibe — exquisite crystal glasses, or the perfect richly textured beach blanket.
With that in mind, here are some ideas to set the scene for your luxury beach picnic.
Presentation is vital
Creating a memorable dining experience is all about presentation. Pick a theme. It could be a favourite TV show, or an earthy colour scheme — either way, select every item to make an impact.
Nothing says Great British Summer like a picnic hamper overflowing with treats. Why not start with our Large Empty Wicker Hamper and carefully curate the contents, from Bridgerton-style finger sandwiches to an oversized, indulgent cheese and charcuterie board.
Don’t forget the Strawberries and Cream Chocolate Puddles and that flask of iced chocolate for the perfect cooling summer treat.
Indulgent comfort is key
Think indulgent picnic blankets and sumptuous pillows. It’s an effortless way to create an ambient space that invites you to cuddle up and enjoy delectable nibbles until the stars appear.
A portable picnic table, good quality loungers and a generous beach umbrella will also help you carve out an intimate nook, even on the busiest beach.
Pick a colour scheme and carry it through for the ultimate in beachside luxe. Try rich cream, ochre, and terracotta for a California beach aesthetic, or natural greens and blues for an effortless, windswept Cornish coastal vibe.

The finishing touches
Gorgeous glassware. Your best serveware. Proper china plates and silverware. Linen napkins in napkin rings. Adorable tealight holders or a gold candelabra. It’s the finishing touches that nail the elevated beach picnic look.
Then, when the blue hour falls, add solar-powered lanterns and lights for a sprinkling of beachside magic. Just add cashmere throws to ward off the chill, and a summer-themed playlist to keep the vibe going as night falls.
Something to celebrate? Try beach bubbles
A luxury beach picnic is the perfect way to celebrate with your family, friends or partner, no matter if it’s an annual meeting of the clans or a chance to pop the question. So what better way to celebrate than with our classic Hotel Chocolat Prosecco?
These uplifting bubbles are a match made in heaven with our milk and white chocolate, so pop a Mellow Baton Library in your picnic basket for the perfect partnership. Or why not head for the beach with our Chocolate & Fizz Collection Hamper, brimming with delectable cacao treats, for an impromptu party? Just don’t forget the glasses and the beach blanket.
Best of all, if you have something to celebrate, we have the perfect beach picnic indulgence. From our perfectly balanced premium alcohol gifts to our fabulous Iced Chocolate selections, there’s an ideal summer treat for everyone – in moderation, of course!
Picnic in style with Hotel Chocolat
We hope our tips and luxury beach picnic ideas have inspired you to create your own al fresco memories.
Whatever your indulgence, there’s a fruity, zesty, tangy cacao treat to match, so grab the best crystal and some generous throw cushions and head for summer coastal fun with your Hotel Chocolat favourites.