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Esky essentials: 7 drinks we’re packing all season

Read time 4 Mins

Posted 04 Sep 2025

By
Emily Reed

Looking up at two people drinking wine outside

Serving suggestion? A sunny afternoon, toes in the grass, and a group of your nearest and dearest.

What’s that, you say? Is it time to take the cover off the outdoor table, locate the picnic rug and dig out that portable cheeseboard that doubles as a wine-glass holder? Oh yeah, al fresco is back. We don’t want to catch you lounging indoors for the foreseeable future. Nah, just kidding. But seriously, the temptation to meet up with friends outside, with portable, tasty drinks in tow, is real now that winter has finally wrapped up.

Luckily for you, we’ve got a stellar line-up of the latest bagnums, canned cocktails and other super handy beverages – perfect for all your outdoor catch-ups. Now, let’s get out there and decide what to take.

A bagnum to share with your best buds

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1. A bagnum to share with your best buds

We can always get around a bagnum: essentially a boxed wine, minus the box. Instead, it comes in a lightweight pouch with aluminium lining to maintain freshness and it’s sturdy enough to stand on its own (even on a picnic rug). With a built-in handle and tap at the bottom, a bagnum holds the equivalent of two bottles, or a magnum (in a bag – get it?). Brown Brothers Moscato Bagnum 1.5L is the first of its kind for the brand. After more than 130 years of winemaking, they’ve put their popular, easy-drinking Moscato in a pouch. Given how ridiculously portable this bagnum is, we suggest bringing it along to non-glass-friendly events like music festivals or off-track picnics where you’ll be glad to have a chilled drink – and a perfectly matched soft cheese – at the end of the journey. Those bubbles stay super fresh even after it’s opened. Genius.
$25.99 each

2. A vibrant low-fi drop for longer days

Nothing completes warmer days spent chatting with mates around an outdoor table quite like a bottle of skin-contact wine. And if you like your whites with a little edge, Escape Room Skin Contact Lo-Fi Vermentino is the one to crack open. Made in South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula, this vermentino is given the full skin-contact treatment – wild fermented on skins for seven days, basket-pressed, then left on lees in seasoned French oak and stainless steel for 12 months. The result? A lo-fi, natural drop that’s textured, savoury and very sippable. Think grilled stone fruit, grapefruit pith and a hint of sea-spray salinity that keeps things fresh, which works with chips, dips, cheese, charcuterie and anything else snacky on the menu. It’s the kind of bottle that feels right at home at a long (al fresco) lunch or tucked under your arm for a BYO with mates.
Member Offer
$25 for 2 bottlesNon-Member: $24.99 each
A vibrant low-fi drop for longer days

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A can of something zesty

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3. A can of something zesty

If you’re a big fan of Hard Rated like we are, you’ll be glad to hear the lemon favourite of the range has a new sibling – this time stepping into orange territory. Hard Rated Orange delivers that classic orange soda flavour, dialled up with an alcoholic kick and a low-fizz finish. It’s juicy, zesty and refreshingly tangy, and its citrusy aroma could well become the unofficial scent of summer. Perfect for the warmer days ahead, it’s also a no-brainer for camping trips – lightweight to pack and even easier to sip while you bask in the great outdoors.
$20.95 pack (4)

4. A gingery spring-ready sipper

Fellr Ginger Beer is a crisp and refreshing brew made with Queensland-grown ginger. It balances a subtle gingery heat with just the right amount of sweetness, creating the kind of thirst-quencher you’ll want in your esky all season long. Low in sugar but big on flavour, it’s light enough to sip all afternoon yet still delivers a proper punch of ginger spice. And is there anything better than a refreshing, ginger-spiked beverage when you’re in an outdoor setting? We think not. Whether you’re kicking back at a backyard barbecue or taking a few cans to a mate’s place, this could be the ginger beer that wins you over. Our hot tip? Try a can next time you swing by your local fish and chip shop, and it’ll blow your mind.

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5. A portable prosecco

We love a drink that can go anywhere, so we’re big fans of the Tempus One Peach Prosecco Spritz. This is crisp Aussie prosecco mixed with a juicy hit of peach that’s low on calories and perfectly portable for any kind of outdoor gathering. We’re picturing it under some shady trees with a spread of snacks and a few friends when the temperature lifts, but you could also do well to pour it into a wine glass at home with loads of ice. With a delicate aroma, zesty citrus notes and a lightly fizzy finish, a can of this is a fuss-free way to sip in style wherever the sun is shining (or when you want to feel like it is). Pair with nibbles like soft cheeses, fresh seafood or an antipasto platter. Yum!

6. A canned cocktail that tastes like the real thing

Oh yes, gin in a tin is definitely on the list. Enter Four Pillars Bloody Raspberry & Ginger Gin Punch Cans: a can of something fun that showcases just how good their gins taste in a classic cocktail. Built on their much-loved Bloody Shiraz Gin, this ready-to-drink gem mixes zesty lemon, a splash of ginger beer and a juicy hit of raspberry. Think of it as a modern twist on the classic gin punch – bright, balanced and best enjoyed ice-cold straight from the can (no shakers or strainers needed). With that in mind, we suggest grabbing a six-pack for friends to enjoy where the glassware is scarce and the vibes are 10/10 – whether it’s a picnic at your local park, a BYO music festival or someone’s backyard.
Member Offer
$24 per pack of 4Non-Member: $27.99 pack (4)
A canned cocktail that tastes like the real thing

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An apple cider to crush on

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7. An apple cider to crush on

Warmer weather and outdoor sipping call for a cider of some kind. Our pick? Three Oaks Cider Co. Crushed Apple Cider. It’s crafted by winemakers in South Australia’s Langhorne Creek wine region, and it ticks all the boxes for what a good cider should be: crisp, refreshing, with perfectly balanced tartness and sweetness. All you need is a sunny afternoon surrounded by mates with the grass under your feet, and the scene is set for a good time. If it’s picnic weather, we recommend bringing a couple of cans and a wedge of aged cheddar (and some salty crackers), because cheese is a glorious match for a crisp apple cider.
$82.99 case (30)
Brown BrothersMoscato Bagnum 1.5L
Moscato Bagnum 1.5L
$25.99 each
 
Escape RoomSkin Contact Lo-Fi Vermentino
Skin Contact Lo-Fi Vermentino
Member Offer
$25 for 2 bottlesNon-Member: $24.99 each
 
Hard RatedOrange Cans 375mL
Orange Cans 375mL
$20.95 pack (4)
 
FellrGinger Beer Cans 330mL
Ginger Beer Cans 330mL
$66.75 case(24)
 
Tempus OnePeach Prosecco Spritz Cans 330mL
Peach Prosecco Spritz Cans 330mL
Member Offer
$16.90 per pack of 4Non-Member: $23.99 pack (4)
 
Authour image
Emily ReedEmily is a Melbourne-based writer partial to a good pét nat. Her hobbies include lining up songs on Spotify at house parties and hovering near cheese platters.
Tags
Hit ListWineSpiritsPremixGinger beerGinMoscatoPre-batched cocktailsOrange wineCiderVodkaSparklingProsecco
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