Low proof cocktails are all the rage these days at trendy bars and clubs. These places may think they’ve “discovered” something new, but a lot of us have been enjoying reduced kick drinks around the campfire for a long time.
Drinks made with beer, wine, spritzers, and liqueurs are light, delicious, and adaptable for sipping all day as well as after the sun goes down. Here are some of our favorites:
Homemade (campsite-made) Wine Spritzer
Homemade (campsite-made) Wine Spritzer
Recipe type: Drinks
Ingredients
- 4 oz. robust white wine like sauvignon blanc, riesling, or gewürztraminer
- Dash of citrus bitters
- 2 oz. club soda
- Orange or lemon twist
- Ice
Instructions
- Top off with bitters and club soda.
- Garnish with twist.
- Pour wine into tumbler filled with ice.
Bocce Ball
Named after a favorite camping activity … what could be wrong with that? Mostly orange juice, and without the high-proof vodka, you might even say this one is “good for you!” Enjoy on ice starting at breakfast time and throughout the day.
Recipe type: Drinks
Ingredients
- 2 oz. Amaretto
- Orange juice (fresh squeezed is best, naturally)
- Splash of club soda
- Ice
- Orange for garnish
Instructions
- Pour amaretto and orange juice into a glass filled with ice.
- Add a splash of soda.
- Garnish with an orange slice.
Campfire Safety Approved Bloody Mary
Yes, we know it’s been around forever. Yes, we know it’s often called a “Virgin Mary” … but how little fun is that? Besides, we throw in a beer. Mixing up a deluxe bloody mary but leaving out the vodka makes for a terrific all-day cocktail that keeps the party going as long as you want it to! This recipe makes a generous pitcher. You can mix this up at home before your trip, too!
Recipe type: Drinks
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp. spicy mustard
- 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire Sauce
- ½ Tbsp. prepared horseradish sauce (the hotter the better)
- ½ Tbsp. Tabasco sauce (original)
- 1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1 lime
- ¼ tsp. celery seed
- ½ tsp. fresh ground black pepper
- Salt to taste
- 6 oz. Clamato juice (optional unless you’re from Canada or North Dakota … same thing)
- 12 oz. “normal” beer (like PBR)
- Tomato juice
Instructions
- Put all ingredients except beer and tomato juice in pitcher (or blender if you have one available). Mix well.
- Gently stir in beer and tomato juice to blend.
- Serve over ice with your favorite bloody mary garnishes.
No Blender, No Ice Cream Grasshopper
Though some campsites may consider a blender essential to the standard kit, we often camp without power. Even so, we still love the thought of sipping a “fancy” cocktail like a grasshopper. Adjust proportions to how sweet and strong you like your drink. If you want it to turn out the traditional grasshopper green, use white crème de cacao and green crème de menthe … but, hey, it’s night, so who’s gonna know?
Recipe type: Drinks
Ingredients
- 2 oz. half and half
- ½ oz. crème de cacao
- ½ oz. crème de menthe
Instructions
- Fill shaker with ice and pour in ingredients. Cover and shake well.
- Strain into glass and enjoy.
Black Velvet
Okay … this one may be an acquired taste … but those who love it REALLY love it. Yet … the two ingredients are each so good on their own … why? Well, here’s to experimentation. Enjoy!
Recipe type: Drinks
Ingredients
- Chilled sparkling white wine (like a Prosecco or Lambrusco)
- Quality stout (Guiness springs to mind)
Instructions
- Pour wine into a tall glass until just over half full.
- Pour stout gently on top to float on wine. Ratio should be about 2:1 wine to stout.
