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15 Camping Cocktails To Mix On Your Next Trip

Camping just got a little more *lit*.

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bourbon old fashioned with demerara sugar, bitters, maraschino cherry, and orange peel
Erik bernstein

The campfire is going, the weenies and marshmallows are roasting, but there's just one thing missing: a camping-friendly cocktail! Cracking open a cold beer is great and all, but there's just something special about mixing up a round of cocktails to enjoy in the great outdoors. Luckily, we've rounded up some of the most classic cocktails to enjoy around the campfire. And let's just say, these 15 camping cocktail recipes will make your next trip lit in more ways than one. 😉

When it comes to packing your camp kitchen, simplest is always best. Thankfully, some of our favorite cocktails ever happen to only require two to three ingredients, tops, like ranch water, a whiskey ginger, and especially a kalimotxo (which is just red wine and Mexican coke). If you're camping with the whole squad, a big batch of sangria is the ultimate crowd-pleaser!

With just a few tools in your pack, you'll be the campground bartending MVP in no time. A great insulated cooler will guarantee your mixers and ice stay perfectly chill all weekend. And if you'd rather stay off bar duty, we love setting up a DIY bar with a variety of mixers (like ginger beer, Topo Chicos, colas, and fruity sodas), your liquor(s) and/or bitters of choice, and some fun garnishes (like freeze-dried fruit, herbs, flavored salts, or bitters). Mix your next old fashioned in your favorite insulated travel coffee mug for a happy hour that'll last well until after lights out.

Looking to replace your camping gear or upgrade your campfire kitchen? We have a handy guide to all the best camping gear and best camping cookware that will turn anyone into an outdoors expert. Camping on a budget? Check out our handy $20 Budget Eats guide to feeding four people while camping next!

1

Kalimotxo

kalimotxo over ice
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: LENA ABRAHAM

All it takes to make a Kalimotxo is two ingredients: Coke and red wine. We know it might seem crazy, but this combo truly is something special. Though it's a simple drink, we do have a couple tips. Firstly the red wine you buy should be cheap. We're mixing it with Coke, so need to spend more than $10. No need to buy Spanish, but if you want to go for authenticity, get a Tempranillo or a Rioja.

Get the Kalimotxo recipe.

2

Ranch Water

ranch water
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

A sort of effervescent, less-sweet version of a margarita, only 3 ingredients are required for ranch water: tequila, lime juice, and seltzer. (Preferably Topo Chico; some claim it’s not a real ranch water without it!) We like adding a splash of orange liqueur, like Cointreau, for a little sweetness and citrus flavor too.

Get the Ranch Water recipe.

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3

Old Fashioned Cocktail

bourbon old fashioned with demerara sugar, bitters, maraschino cherry, and orange peel
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: SPENCER RICHARDS

Ah, the whiskey Old Fashioned. Oaky and sweet, with a hint of citrus on the finish, it’s truly a bourbon lover's drink. Because you only need a few ingredients to make this classic cocktail—sugar, bitters, and a large ice cube—you’ve really got to make them count.

Get the Old Fashioned Cocktail recipe.

4

Red Sangria

red sangria
Parker feierbach

Our classic version of sangria is light and bubbly with an addition of seltzer water and the perfect ratio of wine to brandy. It's also perfect all year round: Skip the summer berries and swap in fall fruits like pears and apples to keep enjoying this summer classic whenever the craving strikes.

Get the Red Sangria recipe.

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5

Dark 'N' Stormy

dark and stormy cocktail
Joel goldberg

Deceptively simple to mix up, the Dark 'N' Stormy delivers a refreshingly complex wave of spice and zing. Want it with a twist? Try our frozen Dark 'N' Stormy!

Get the Dark 'N' Stormy recipe.

6

Michelada

michelada
Parker feierbach

If you've never had a Michelada, you're in for a treat. The addition of hot sauce and lime juice add a spicy/sour kick that takes your average light beer from good to great. Thanks to our secret ingredient (soy sauce!), there's also a hint of umami flavor that keeps you coming back for more.

Get the Michelada recipe.

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7

Brown Sugar Old Fashioned

brown sugar old fashioned
Emily Hlavac Green

A little brown sugar makes this classic cocktail extra warm and cozy, adding a hint of caramel, which makes this drink feel anything but old fashioned. It's the only way we like to make it now!

Get the Brown Sugar Old Fashioned recipe.

8

Aperol Spritz

aperol spritz
Chelsea Lupkin

The Aperol Spritz, also known as the Spritz Veneziano, is an Italian classic that has an iconic bittersweetness reminiscent of burnt orange and tart rhubarb. When paired with Prosecco and a bit of soda water, it makes an amazing cocktail to drink in the warmer months.

Get the Aperol Spritz recipe.

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9

Whiskey Ginger

whiskey ginger
Lucy schaeffer

Is there any whiskey cocktail more iconic and simple than a whiskey ginger? It’s just two ingredients, but it’s truly one of the best bubbly/spirit combinations out there. To go the extra mile, we wanted a homemade, showstopper garnish, and we couldn’t think of anything more fitting than fresh, spicy candied ginger. Not only does it look great atop a drink, but it's also great for snacking.

Get the Whiskey Ginger recipe.

10

Dirty Shirley

dirty shirley
ANDREW BUI

Bright and colorful, sweet with just a hint of booze, the Dirty Shirley Temple is taking over bars everywhere. And who can blame them? It’s a boozy version of that nostalgic beverage so many of us grew up with—and let’s be honest, what too-sweet mocktail can’t be improved with a shot of vodka?

Get the Dirty Shirley recipe.

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11

Vodka Tonic

vodka tonic
Parker feierbach

Similar vibe to a vodka soda, vodka tonic is a little bit sweeter. Adding citrus is a nonnegotiable for us. We love lemons and limes, but blood orange slices add a fun pop of color and zing too!

Get the Vodka Tonic recipe.

12

Cape Codder

cape codder cocktail with fresh lime and ice
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

No tools necessary for this drink! Simply pour vodka and cranberry juice into a glass and serve. If you want to go the extra mile (like we so often do), you can add a splash of lime juice and garnish with a lime wedge. Not only does the acid from the lime juice brighten up the drink, but we think the pinky-red and green are pretty gorgeous together.

Get the Cape Codder recipe.

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13

Screwdriver Cocktail

screwdriver cocktail garnished with an orange slice
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: Taylor Ann SPENCER

If you asked people what is the first “cocktail” they’ve ever had, they’d probably say it was a screwdriver. It’s a stalwart of college parties and boozy brunches for its simplicity and accessibility. Love two-ingredient cocktails? Why not try out another fruity classic, like the Cape Codder. Or get a little fancy with a vodka tonic.

Get the Screwdriver Cocktail recipe.

14

Moscow Mule

drink, food, mint julep, mojito, lime, ingredient, mint, moscow mule, juice, cocktail,
Parker feierbach

A Moscow mule is actually SO easy to make. It only has three ingredients: vodka, ginger beer, and lime. We like to garnish it with mint, but it's not necessary. Aside from tradition, the copper mugs offer a scientific benefit too: The copper gives chilled drinks an extra-cool sensation. And you just might feel pretty cool yourself.

Get the Moscow Mule recipe.

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15

Hot Toddy

hot toddy delishcom
Parker feierbach

A Hot Toddy is the perfect drink to sip on when those camping trips edge further into fall. Best part is? You almost definitely have all the ingredients in your camping kitchen right now!

Get the Hot Toddy recipe.

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