Camping Cocktails Perfect for Any Outdoorsy Trip

Calling all camping cuties and festival friends! The countdown to the fun-in-the-sun season is on, and we’re gearing up with some impressive refreshments. What better way to unwind after a long day of dancing (or hiking) than with a gorgeous camping cocktail?   

Happy news, honey! We’ve got you covered with some easy-to-make camping cocktails that are sure to make your al fresco excursions all the more memorable.  

What makes a good camping cocktail?

Great camping cocktails keep things delightfully low maintenance. First, they require just a few simple ingredients that are practical to transport: easy camping alcoholic drinks and nothing too bulky – so, your juicy watermelon-based ideas can probably wait for another time. Second, they should be fine to mix with a reduced kit and still taste good even if the ice situation goes sideways. And finally, the best cocktails to make while camping are the ones you can batch ahead or mix straight in the glass, to double the fun and halve the cleanup. 

What to bring to make cocktails while camping

The first thing you need to do is set yourself up for camp cocktail success. After all, whipping up a drink in the comfort of your own home and mastering camping cocktail recipes in the great outdoors are two very different kettles of proverbial fish. It all comes down to having the right cocktail-making tools for the job.

Camp bar essentials 

Here are a few things every camp cocktail enthusiast should aim to have in their cocktail-making kit when they head out to a festival or weekend away.  

Cocktail shaker. A cocktail shaker is a must-have tool for making cocktails. It’s a great way to mix ingredients and get the perfect balance of flavours. Look for a lightweight, compact shaker that’s easy to pack. Alternatively, you can also use a mason jar.   

Glasses. Bring lightweight, unbreakable glassware for serving your cocktails. Look for options made of plastic or stainless steel.   

Batch cocktail containers. If you plan to make batch cocktails, remember to pack a large container from which friends can serve themselves. A cooler with a small tap is a great option.    

Jigger. A jigger is a small measuring tool that helps ensure you get the right proportions of ingredients. Look for one with multiple measurements to make measuring easy.  

Strainer. A strainer removes ice or other solids from your cocktail as you pour it into a glass. A small, handheld strainer is perfect for camping or festivals.  

Bottle opener. Bring a bottle opener for opening beer, wine, and other bottled beverages.  

Cutting board and knife. If you plan to use fresh ingredients such as citrus fruit, you’ll need a cutting board and knife to prepare them.  

Ice. If you have access to ice, bring a small cooler or insulated bag to keep it cold when you collect it from the vendor or store. Alternatively, consider using reusable ice packs or freezing water in advance to make your own ice.  

Easy camping cocktails with minimal gear

These camping cocktail recipes keep the fun moving and the faff down, which is exactly the sweet spot for drinks you want to mix during your outdoor escapades. Better still, they can turn into a collective effort: pass the shaker around, make it a little taste test, and see who claims bragging rights for the best pour before the sun sets.

Vodka Cranberry

Keep things super simple with a Vodka Cranberry cocktail if you don’t have a lot of space to pack cocktail-making bits and bobs. Also called a Cape Codder, this easy cocktail only requires SKYY Vodka (opens in new window), cranberry juice, and orange juice. Made in batches, it comes together quickly and always pleases a crowd.

Michelada

Almost everyone loves a cold beer on a hot summer’s day, but it’s also nice to give it a bit of personality once in a while. To make a Michelada at a festival, pack a few limes, some Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and celery salt into your picnic hamper. Squeeze half a lime into your serving glass, add a dash or two of each sauce and a pinch of the salt to a serving glass, pour in an icy cold beer, and enjoy!

Dark ‘n Stormy

Speaking of great batch drinks, don’t forget about the Dark ‘n Stormy! This effortless drink combines the gorgeous notes of sweet, mellow Appleton Estate Signature Rum, spicy ginger beer, and zingy lime. It’s finished with a dash of bitters to complete the flavoursome harmony.

Mountain Daiquiri

This one’s for the rugged outdoorsy types. To indulge in the pure joy of a Lime Daiquiri when you’re out and about, make yourself a Mountain Daiquiri. Pack some sugar, limes, and a flask of Appleton Estate Rum (opens in new window). Stir up a spoonful of sugar with some water until dissolved, squeeze half a lime into your cup, add 90ml of rum, and stir. If there’s ice, use some; if not, enjoy it as is. 

Best campfire cocktails

Warm up the firepit and pour yourself something with a bit of character: these fun camping cocktails lean into smoky, cozy or both. Best of all, as your go-to campfire cocktails, they go perfectly with all the other essentials: off-key songs, existential chats and never-ending romantic stargazing.

Smoky Campfire Moscow Mule

If the bubbly, ginger-laced allure of a classic Moscow Mule is everything you crave in a drink, you’ve got to try the Smoky Campfire Moscow Mule. Combine 45 ml Montelobos Joven Mezcal (opens in new window), 20 ml amaretto, 15 ml fresh lime juice, and 120 ml ginger beer in a copper mug with ice. 

Outdoorsmen Hot Toddy

This woodsy take on the classic Hot Toddy is everything after a day spent hiking through the forest. Bring 60 ml of water to a rapid boil, add a teaspoon of sugar, and stir until dissolved. Remove from the heat and add 60 ml of Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon (opens in new window). Drop in a slice of lemon and sprinkle over some cinnamon if you’re the kind of hiker to bring along little luxuries.

Campfire Sour

This herbaceous riff on the classic Whiskey Sour makes a fantastic fireside sipper. Add 75 ml Wild Turkey Rye Whiskey, 30 ml fresh lemon juice, and 15 ml maple syrup to a cocktail shaker. Light a sprig of rosemary on fire and add to the shaker still lit. Cap the shaker and leave it for 30 seconds so the mixture can infuse with smoke. Fill the shaker with ice and shake for 15 seconds. Strain into a rocks glass with large ice cubes. Garnish with a fresh sprig of rosemary and serve.

S’mores Martini

Chocolate, marshmallow-infused vodka, bourbon, and cream come together to create a delicious S’mores Martini. Sure, it’s a little over the top, but that’s exactly the point! Make this tasty Martini as an indulgent dessert to enjoy around the fire after a day of dancing or woodlands shenanigans.

Irish Coffee

Irish Coffee is the perfect camp cocktail for chilly nights around the fire. This warming drink combines hot coffee, Irish whiskey, and brown sugar, and is topped with a layer of whipped cream. The rich, smooth taste of the whiskey pairs perfectly with the bitterness of the coffee and the sweetness of the sugar. Sipping on an Irish Coffee under the stars is a great way to cozy up – especially if you walk the extra mile and brew your coffee on the fire, of course…

Glamping cocktails: more stylish outdoor drinks

Not every camping trip looks the same, and the occasions that call for the added glam factor call for drinks with a little more polish. So, if you need glamping cocktail ideas for an anniversary, a bachelorette party, or simply a pleasurable break from the city noise, you’re in the right place. Think best camping cocktails with a smarter finish: still easy to enjoy outdoors, but dressed up enough to feel like a special occasion rather than a last-minute pour. 

Camp craft cocktails

For a sophisticated take on your adventure, don’t sacrifice your crafty favourites. You can take the same idea and nudge it towards something easier, but still impressive. These camp craft cocktail and mocktail ideas lean into fewer ingredients, more character and a little more depth, so the drink feels intentional while keeping the whole process refreshingly practical.

Aperol Spritz

Aperol Spritz is one of the best camping cocktails for when you want things to feel a little more polished without losing the laidback spirit. For a read full of easy ideas, from batch-making to food pairings, take a look at this Aperol Spritz Picnic Guide. And if you want maximum ease, get yourself some Aperol Spritz To Go (opens in new window), crack open and enjoy!

Make-Ahead Negroni

The beautifully bitter Negroni is an iconic drink that can hold its own just about anywhere – including at an outdoor festival and the back of a pickup truck! To make a batch of Make-Ahead Negronis for you and your friends, add 180 ml of Bulldog Gin (opens in new window), 180 ml of red vermouth and 180 ml of Campari (opens in new window) to a sealable mason jar. Seal, shake and pack it in your cooler with a fresh orange. When you’re ready to enjoy it, pour your drinks into a tumbler with ice, and garnish it with a twist of orange.

Gold Rush

First invented in the New York bar Milk and Honey before prohibition, this classic drink is similar to a Bee’s Knees cocktail but replaces gin with Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon. Straightforward, sophisticated, and refreshing, the Gold Rush is easy to pack and quick to pour while you’re on your outdoor adventure.

Rock Shandy Mocktail

Looking for a tasty drink to enjoy en route to your destination while staying safe on the road? Try a Rock Shandy! Made with club soda, lemonade, bitters, and ice and garnished with fresh lime, making a Rock Shandy recipe on the go couldn’t be simpler. This zesty drink comes together quickly and tastes fantastic.

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