Picnics are the new pub.

Venues that serve food are preparing to reopen at the end of the month, but in the meantime, it’s up to us to entertain ourselves and al fresco mates dates have become the order of the day.

Now Lidl has launched a range of drinks that are ideal for enjoying outdoors… and they won’t take up too much room in your picnic basket either.

The brand’s Hortus Gin range now includes a handy selection of pre-mixed gin cocktails that are ideal for toasting your first socially distanced meet up (of no more than six people from outside your household, of course).

A bargain €1.99 each, you can choose from their traditional Gin & Tonic or fancy it up with a Gin & Pink Grapefruit or a Rhubarb & Ginger Gin.

We’re not advocating drinking in public, but if you were going to have a little cocktail with your picnic in the park or on the beach, this would be a very convenient way to pack up a cold tipple or two.

You can find Lidl’s cocktails-in-a-can in the booze section.