{"id":194820,"date":"2024-07-13T12:47:02","date_gmt":"2024-07-13T19:47:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/?p=194820"},"modified":"2024-08-29T10:06:41","modified_gmt":"2024-08-29T17:06:41","slug":"three-classic-camp-cocktail-recipes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/camp\/three-classic-camp-cocktail-recipes","title":{"rendered":"Three Classic Cocktail Recipes\u2014With a Camp Twist"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There\u2019s something special about relaxing outside your tent at camp, sipping a cocktail worthy of a swanky lounge. A campground isn\u2019t the traditional setting for a fancy mixed drink, but that\u2019s part of what makes a camp cocktail so fun. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s such a different idea,\u201d says avid camper and REI Co-op Member Bryan Dayton, who founded the Colorado chapter of the U.S. Bartenders’ Guild<\/a> and who co-owns and directs the beverage programs at critically acclaimed eateries, including OAK at Fourteenth<\/a> in Boulder. \u201cInstead of just, \u2018Hey, let\u2019s crack open a beer or a bottle of wine,\u2019 if you can make a simple cocktail, you\u2019re really bringing those creature comforts to the woods,\u201d Dayton says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Classic cocktails date back to the late 1800s, when American bartender Jerry Thomas<\/a><\/ins> included them in his Bar-Tender’s Guide<\/em><\/a>. But you don\u2019t need to be a bartender to make these longtime libations. They\u2019re great options for mixing in the outdoors and pouring into your favorite camp cup<\/a> because they\u2019re easy to make, requiring little prep and just a few readily available ingredients and tools. Cocktails are also a delicious alternative to sipping full-strength spirits from a flask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Gear Up for Cocktail (or Mocktail) Making<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n

Much like having the right gear can enhance your time outside, using the proper barware can elevate a standard mixed drink to a truly great classic cocktail. With margaritas, bucks and other citrus-forward blends, for example, the shaking process is vital for adding vibrancy, Dayton says. Pour the spirit, sweetener and citrus into a shaker, then give it the OutKast treatment and shake it like a Polaroid picture to allow the flavors to fully meld.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dayton personally likes the YETI Rambler Cocktail Shaker<\/a> when mixing up a batch of Bourbon Bucks (see his recipe below). The Rambler shaker\u2019s puncture- and rust-resistant, stainless-steel construction easily stands up to rocks, logs and other campsite hazards. Its double-wall insulation ensures consistently cold drinks, and a leak-protective lid helps prevent spills. The shaker\u2019s lid with the built-in strainer is compatible with other Rambler<\/a> styles from YETI<\/a>, so you can easily turn those containers into cocktail shakers too. \u201cHaving that simple, really cool, fun tool in your camping kit is awesome,\u201d Dayton says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another pro tip: Don\u2019t forget the garnish. We taste with our eyes first, next with our nose and finally with our mouths, Dayton explains. If a drink looks good and smells good, it\u2019s going to be even more palate-pleasing. Consider adding a twill of citrus rind, a sprig of rosemary or even something eye-catching (and known to be nontoxic) from around the campsite. (Just make sure to follow the Leave No Trace principles<\/a>.) \u201cYou can use things from Mother Nature at the same time,\u201d Dayton says, noting that pine needles, lavender, sage and juniper all work well. \u201cObviously, harvest in an eco-friendly way and always be sensitive to allergies.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to bring your bar to the backcountry? Read on for a trio of classic cocktails with a camp twist, including one tasty nonalcoholic option. All are inspired by the wild and sure to kick your camping game up a delicious notch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Flannel Poncho<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n

This is a woodsy twist on the classic shaken margarita.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ingredients<\/h3>\n\n\n