Picture your next camping trip: secluded woods or a scenic desert, wildlife hustling and bustling all around, maybe a babbling brook; and you're reclining in your hammock or camp chair, just soaking it all in. The sun is just going down and the fire is crackling beside you, and you have a nice cold drink in your hand.
Ahhhhhhh... those are the moments I live for.
For me, camping isn't quite the same without a splash of alcohol. Of course, I love my good old beer and wine, but sometimes a camping trip calls for something a little extra. Why shouldn't we be able to enjoy a well-mixed cocktail while camping? It's not rocket science; it just takes a little planning and prepping. Not all drinks are suited for the great outdoors, but I've gathered this list of my favorite camping drinks that you can pre-mix for your next big adventure. So break out the shaker set and garnishes -- we're going glamping.
Mountain Martini
Ingredients:
2.5 oz. gin
.5 oz. dry vermouth
orange bitters (optional)
1 green olive or lemon twist for garnish
Instructions:
Pour the gin and vermouth into a glass and stir -- or mix a large batch in a pitcher. Store in a sealable container; pour orange bitters into a separate container; pack desired garnishes in a Tupperware or plastic baggie. To drink, shake with ice and strain into glass, top with orange bitters to taste, and garnish.
The Muddy Mary
Ingredients:
3 oz. tomato juice
1.5 oz. vodka
.5 oz. lemon juice
Worcestershire sauce
Celery salt
Ground pepper
Hot sauce
Celery stalk/pickle/pepperoncini for garnish
Lemon/lime wedge for garnish
Instructions:
Mix liquid ingredients in glass (or sealable pitcher for large batches). Pack garnishes and spices in separate containers or baggies. To drink, pour over ice, and add desired spices and garnishes.
Glamp-Ed Gimlet
Ingredients:
2.5 oz. gin
.5 oz. simple syrup
.5 oz. freshly squeezed lime juice
Lime wedges for garnish
Instructions:
Add all ingredients to a glass (or sealable pitcher for large batches) and mix. You can substitute lime cordial for both lime juice and simple syrup, if desired. Package lime garnishes in separate container or baggie. To drink, pour over ice and garnish with lime wedge.
Scenic Sangria
Ingredients:
1 bottle red wine (chianti, young garnacha, or pinot noir recommended)
12 oz. seltzer
1 cup orange juice
.5 cup brandy
1 orange, sliced thinly
1 apple, sliced thinly
1 cup blueberries
granulated sugar
Instructions:
Mix the liquid ingredients (except the seltzer) in a sealable pitcher; add sugar to taste (1/4 cup recommended). Stir in fruit. Pack seltzer in separate, sealable container. To drink, pour over ice and top with a splash of seltzer.
Twin-Peaks Punch
Ingredients:
3 cups amber rum
2 cups simple syrup
4 cups any fruit juice (orange recommended)
1 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
bitters
nutmeg
Instructions:
Combine rum, fruit juice, lime juice, and simple syrup in sealable pitcher. Add a splash of bitters and a dash of nutmeg to taste. To drink, pour over ice and serve.
The Glamparita
Ingredients:
Tequila
Limes
Agave nectar
Salt for garnish
Instructions:
This one can be made completely according to taste. My recommendations: combine equal parts freshly-squeezed lime juice and tequila. Add agave to taste for sweetness. Pack in sealable pitcher; pack lime wedges and salt in separate sealable containers. To drink, rim glass with salt, pour cocktail over ice, and garnish with lime wedge.
Moon Over Manhattan
Ingredients:
2 oz. rye whiskey
.5 oz. sweet vermouth
bitters
maraschino cherries
Instructions:
Combine whiskey, vermouth, and bitters in glass (or pitcher for large batches) and stir. Pack in sealable container; pack cherries in separate container or baggie. To drink, shake with ice and strain into glass; garnish with maraschino cherry.
Comment below to share your favorite camping cocktail recipes!