in Camping / by
When you’re out camping, there’s more to having a cocktail than just taking the edge off after a long week.
A good cocktail can give you an experience to remember. There’s nothing like enjoying a drink with the perfect blend of flavors that seems to fit the mood and setting just right.
As the snow sets in and the days get shorter, ice-cold mojitos just don’t seem to fit the bill. You want something with enticing flavors that warms you from the inside out — something that pairs perfectly with relaxing next to the campfire with a comforting blanket wrapped around you.
With COVID keeping your favorite spots closed to indoor dining (or closed completely), now is the perfect year to learn a new cocktail recipe that you can make while winter camping. And to do that, you’ll want to make sure you have the right campfire cocktail setup (if you don’t have a propane camp stove setup).
Here are 4 easy campfire cocktail recipes to spice up your next winter camping trip.
The Best Winter Camping Cocktail Setup
Leave the propane stove behind, because these cocktails can all be made over the warmth of a campfire. Before you get started on your cocktails, you’re going to want to make sure you know how to approach campfire cooking first.
The last thing you want to do is mess up the experience of a winter cocktail by accidentally spilling your precious ingredients into the fire or worse, burning yourself.
Here are a few tips to help your campfire cocktail making an enjoyable experience.
- Surround your fire pit with large rocks that will both contain the fire and give you a surface to set pots and utensils.
- Once you’ve started your fire, lay 2 thick logs or a baking rack from one side of the fire to the other. Make sure the rack or logs are sturdy enough to hold a pot.
- Prepare your pot, a stirring spoon, and cups.
- Follow the cocktail instructions. Heat any ingredients that need to be hot in a small saucepan, placed on a rack, or strong logs above the campfire.
- Check the pot often to ensure you reach the right heat level the recipe calls for — most hot cocktails require the liquid to almost be bubbling, but not boiling.
1. Vanilla Cider Cocktail
Saying goodbye to fall doesn’t have to mean saying goodbye to seasonal ciders. Vanilla adds the perfect twist to a regular apple cider to give it a richer winter flavor.
Enjoy this Vanilla Cider Cocktail with a healthy dollop of whipped cream, and get ready to replace your S’mores with an even better campfire treat!
What you’ll need:
- Spoon for stirring
- Camp stove or campfire
- One mason jar (with lid)
- One small pot
- 1 mug per person
Ingredients (4 servings):
- 4 oz vanilla vodka
- 2 cups non-alcoholic apple cider
- 1 bottle or can of hard apple cider
- 1/2 cup chilled heavy whipping cream
How to do it:
- Heat the alcohol-free apple cider in a pot until hot, just before boiling.
- While it heats, prep your chilled whipping cream by pouring it into the mason jar. Close the lid and shake until the whipping cream reaches the consistency you want.
- Pour 1 ounce of the vanilla vodka in each mug.
- Pour 1/4 of the alcoholic cider in each mug.
- Pour 1/4 of the hot nonalcoholic cider in each mug. Stir.
- Top with whipped cream. Enjoy!
2. Hot Spiced Bourbon Milk Punch
This cold weather camping cocktail is warm, creamy, and the perfect nightcap after a long day of skiing or snowshoeing. The warm bourbon milk punch speaks for itself.
Try this soothing and satisfying cocktail recipe mixed with hot chocolate if you’d like a delicious twist.
What you’ll need:
- One small pot
- One mug per person
- Stirring spoons
- One small strainer
Ingredients (2 servings):
- 2 cups whole milk
- 6-8 allspice berries
- 3 oz Bourbon
- 1 stick of cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- Whipped cream with a sprinkle of nutmeg as the topping
How to do it:
- Warm the milk in a pan with the allspice, cinnamon, and maple syrup. It should start to bubble around the edges, but not boil.
- Remove from heat and let the spices steep for about 10 minutes.
- Add all 3 oz of the bourbon to the milk and spice mixture.
- Stir in vanilla.
- Strain the spices from the cocktail.
- Top with nutmeg and whipped cream and serve.
3. Fireside Toddy
Everyone loves a good hot toddy on a cold day. But not everyone knows how to go above and beyond with a truly memorable hot toddy recipe.
Enjoy this toddy with class by adding flavors of clove and cinnamon with an extra pop of citrus.
What you’ll need
- A shot glass for measurements
- 1 mug per person
- Stirring spoon
- One small pot
Ingredients per serving:
- 5 oz Don Papa aged rum
- 2 oz spiced apple cider
- 1/2 oz rye whiskey
- 1/4 oz cinnamon-clove syrup
- 1/4 oz lemon juice
- 1/4 oz pineapple juice
How to do it:
- Create cinnamon clove syrup by simmering 3 cinnamon sticks, 2 teaspoons of clove, and water in a small saucepan.
- Remove from heat, then add 3 cups of demerara sugar.
- Heat lemon juice, pineapple, cider, and syrup until it steams but doesn’t boil.
- Pour mixture into mug.
- Add alcohol.
- Garnish with apple slices and cinnamon stick.
4. Blueberry Tea
Don’t be fooled by the name: none of the 3 delicious ingredients in this camping cocktail are blueberries. But somehow, the blend of flavors magically replicates the flavor of blueberries.
This is a great cocktail for those who like to keep things simple and sweet.
What you’ll need:
- 1 camping friendly brandy snifter per person
- Shot glass with ounce measurements
- Small saucepan
Ingredients per serving:
- 3/4 cup orange pekoe tea
- 3/4 cup Grand Marnier
- 3/4 ounce Amaretto liqueur
- 1 orange wheel for garnish
How to do it:
- Heat the tea until it’s hot, but not boiling. A few bubbles should appear.
- Preheat your snifters by pouring warm water into them (be sure to dump it out before making the drink).
- Pour Amaretto and Gran Marnier into the sifters.
- Pour warm tea into sifter until it’s 3/4 of the way full.
- Stir and garnish with an orange wheel.
Whether you’re looking to unwind and relax or cut loose and have a little fun on your next camping adventure, there’s a warm winter cocktail that will hit the spot. Try one (or all these) recipes, and you just might have a new favorite vacation tradition — one that keeps you warm and jolly all night long!
While these cocktails will help keep you warm, there are other ways to make your Roofnest even cozier during the coldest nights of the season. Explore ways to make your Roofnest even warmer >
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