Nothing goes better with a campfire than a cocktail. Especially if it’s in an insulated cup that prevents your fingers from freezing while you hold it. With all of the canned cocktails out there at the moment, it’s easy to pick up a few and toss them in the cooler. But they are pricey.
The Finnish Long Drink is a fan favorite. You can snag citrus, cranberry, and peach flavors at places like Albertsons/Vons and Smart & Final. Ringing in at 5 percent alcohol, a six-pack will cost you about $15. Or you can grab a bottle of Tito’s Vodka for about $20 and make more than six drinks—the math is up to you.
I’m a fan of both. However, I’m almost always going to choose the bottle over the cans. And if you’re like me, you’re always looking for simplicity and the right kind of mixer to make that trip into the wilderness extra relaxing.
Of course, what you buy depends on the kind of camping you’re doing. RVing it? You’ve got more options. Car camping? Whatever can fit in the cooler or car. Backpacking? You’re either drinking it neat or mixing it with a powdered drink and water (Crystal Light, baby). Delicious.
For RV or car camping, here are a couple of go-tos that you can always count on:
Moscow mule
Moscow mule
1 1/2 to 2 ounces vodka
3/4 ounce lime juice
4 ounces ginger beer
No need to bring a copper mug to this party. Add ice to your cup, vodka, lime juice, and fill the remainder with ginger beer. Stir and enjoy. If you’re feeling fancy, add a splash or more of pomegranate juice or syrup. You won’t regret it.
Spiked cider
1 1/2 to 2 ounces whiskey or bourbon
1/2 to 1 ounce lemon juice
4 ounces apple cider
Simple syrup or honey (optional)
This is something you can drink hot or iced. It’s a cozy beverage when warm and extra cozy on a chilly night. Heat the apple cider up either on your camp stove or over the fire (I prefer the seasonal Spiced Cider from Trader Joe’s). Add it to the whiskey you already have in your mug, add lemon juice. Taste it. If it needs a little more sweetness, add some honey or simple syrup.
Gin and elderflower tonic
1 1/2 to 2 ounces gin
4 to 5 ounces elderflower tonic
1/2 ounce lemon or lime juice
Floral and refreshing, this is a twist on the classic gin and tonic. I prefer mine with lemon juice, but lime is always an option. Add the gin, elderflower tonic, and juice to ice, stir, and enjoy.
Jalapeño margarita
2 ounces tequila
1 ounce Cointreau or triple sec
3/4 ounce lime juice
1/2 ounce agave nectar or simple syrup
1/2 jalapeño, sliced
This is a fancy camp cocktail. For those of you who might have a camper or RV and a little extra space. A salt or Tajin rim is optional for this one, but the jalapeños aren’t. Add ice to your cup, all the ingredients and give it a little mix.
This article appears in Get Outside – Winter/Spring 2025.