10 Camping Cocktails: Easy Recipes For Your Next Trip

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After a long day of outdoor activities, there’s no better way to unwind around the fire than with a refreshing cocktail in hand. Whether you’re car camping, glamping, or roughing it in the great outdoors, you don’t need a full bar or fancy ingredients to enjoy delicious cocktails under the stars. With a few simple ingredients and a little creativity, you can transform your camp kitchen into a backcountry bar.

This guide to easy camping cocktails will cover everything from classics like the Moscow Mule and Bloody Mary to campfire twists on your favorite cocktails. Whether you’re on team sweet side or prefer something bold and boozy, these cocktail recipes are ideal for your next camping trip.

1. Moscow Mule – A Refreshing Classic

Ingredients:

• 2 oz vodka
• 4 – 6 oz ginger beer
• 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
• Lime wedge for garnish
• Serve in a copper mug if possible

Instructions:

Add vodka and lime juice to a mug, fill with ice cubes, and top with ginger beer. Stir and garnish with a lime slice.

Nice thing? You can batch this ahead in a tightly sealed container and chill it with ice packs.

2. Campfire Old Fashioned – A Smoky Twist

Ingredients:

• 2 oz bourbon
• 1/2 oz simple syrup or maple syrup
• Dash of bitters
• Orange slices and peel for garnish
• a Large ice cube or a handful of ice

Instructions:

In a rocks glass, add syrup and bitters. Stir in bourbon and ice. Garnish with a flame-toasted orange peel over the fire for a campfire cocktail vibe.

3. Irish Coffee – For Cool Nights

Ingredients:

• A Hot cup of water, brewed coffee, or hot chocolate
• 1–2 oz Irish whiskey
• 1 tsp brown sugar
• Optional: top with heavy cream

Instructions:

Pour whiskey and sugar into hot coffee and stir. Float lightly whipped cream on top for the full effect.

Perfect for cold weather, cool nights, or early mornings when you’re craving warmth with your buzz.

4. Classic Margarita – The Camping Crowd Pleaser

Ingredients:

• 2 oz tequila
• 1 oz lime juice (or fresh lime juice)
• 1 oz simple syrup or orange juice
• Salt (optional)
• Ice cubes and lime wedge

Instructions:

Shake in a cocktail shaker or stir in a mason jar. Serve over ice, rim the glass with salt if desired.

Batch ahead and bring in an airtight container for the best camping cocktails on demand.

5. Apple Cider Hot Toddy – A Fall Favorite

Ingredients:

• 6 oz apple cider
• 1 oz bourbon or brandy
• 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
• Cinnamon stick

Instructions:

Heat cider on the camp stove, add whiskey and honey, then stir with a cinnamon stick.

It’s the ideal camping cocktail for autumn nights around the camp fire.

6. Ranch Water – The Hot Weather Hero

Ingredients:

• 2 oz tequila
• 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
• Topo Chico or club soda

Instructions:

Pour tequila and lime juice over ice, top with bubbly water, and enjoy.

Low-effort and super hydrating, ranch water is a great way to toast the end of a hot summer day.

7. Black Velvet – Simple, Bold, and Bubbly

Ingredients:

• Equal parts cold beer (preferably stout) and sparkling wine or champagne

Instructions:

Pour beer into a glass, then slowly top with bubbly to create layers. Great for brunch or a camping adventure celebration.

8. Spiked Citrus Sangria

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle of red wine
• 1/4 cup cranberry juice, orange juice, or pineapple juice
• Splash of ginger syrup or simple syrup
• Sliced fresh fruit (apples, oranges, berries)

Instructions:

Mix in a mason jar or airtight container and let sit at room temperature or chill in a cooler.

Perfect for large groups, this camping drink delivers bold flavors with minimal ingredients.

9. Campfire Bloody Mary

Ingredients:

• 2 oz vodka
• 4 oz tomato juice or bloody mary mix
• Dash of hot sauce
• Squeeze of lemon juice
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

Shake or stir over ice in a cocktail shaker, pour into a mason jar, and garnish with pickles, olives, or celery sticks.

Great for brunch after a day of hiking.

10. Toasted Marshmallow Cocktail – A Dessert Drink

Ingredients:

• 1 oz vanilla vodka
• 1 oz heavy cream or cream liqueur
• Toasted marshmallow and crushed graham cracker crumbs

Instructions:
Rim your glass with graham crumbs, shake vodka and cream with ice, strain, and garnish with a toasted marshmallow.

Like dessert in a glass, it satisfies the sweet tooth and pairs well with a slice of pound cake or hot chocolate.

Tips for Great Camp Cocktails

• Use a tightly sealed container or airtight container to transport batched cocktails
• Pre-slice fresh fruit and store in jars
• Don’t forget a bar tool, cocktail shaker, or even a clean mason jar to shake or mix
• Keep ice packs or a small cooler for fresh ice
• Pack a camping gear checklist with cocktail extras

Final Thoughts on Camping Cocktails

Whether you’re lounging in a hammock or kicking back after a hike, these delicious drinks make any camping moment memorable. In our humble opinion, the best camping cocktails are the ones you share—with friends, stories, and a few laughs around the fire.

Cheers to your next camping trip—and don’t forget to bring the good stuff.