7 Campfire Cocktails
Fall is upon us with cool days turning to chilly fall darkness. But look on the bright side. It’s also a great time for bonfires and staying warm with friends and loved ones. The key to fall and winter is staying warm with a crackling fire and a delicious cold weather, campfire cocktails (if you’re of age of course). Choose your favorite campfire cocktails from below and then visit Raising the Bar Liquors for all the ingredients!
Why do we feel warm when drinking alcohol?
Before we give you the yummy recipes for campfire cocktails, let’s look at some of the science behind alcohol and how it keeps us warm. Those who
campfire cocktails hot gin punch
consume alcohol often remark that they feel warm when drinking socially. But does it, really? The sensation is sometimes referred to as a “beer blanket.” Yes, you may feel like you’re warm and cozy, but in truth, alcohol actually lowers the temperature of your body.
Our body temperature is dictated by our organs; mainly our brain, liver, and heart. Digestion and exercise produces heat, but when we drink alcohol, our liver is working extra duty. When our liver metabolizes alcohol, our supply of blood travels to our liver and releases heat. But in actuality, during the entire process, our temperature is going down as we perspire from the alcohol. It’s nothing we actually notice. In fact, we “feel” as if we are warming.
When we drink a hot cocktail (or any cocktail for that matter), even though we are having a great time, it’s important to be safe, and stay hydrated. If you have one drink too many, be sure to keep your jacket on in cold weather. You may feel hot, but our body temperature is plummeting and you could run the risk of hypothermia.
Again, be safe, drink enough water, then enjoy these yummy cold weather cocktails around a roaring bonfire. These seven campfire cocktails are the perfect concoctions for fall and winter activities.
1. CINNAMON HOT BUTTERED RUM
hot chocolate for cold nights
There are actually two parts when describing this classic campfire cocktail. Make the spicy simple syrup first. Mix together cinnamon, lemon juice, cloves, sugar, and water. Stir together in a saucepan over your fire or camp stove. Let it simmer until the sugar is completely dissolved, then allow it to return to the outdoor temperature. Next, combine the cinnamon, butter, and brown sugar. This will create the cocktail’s base. Finally, mix the ingredients together with the rum. This is a sweet and spicy flavor that is perfect when making s’ mores.
Recipe:
Spicy Simple Syrup: Mix cinnamon, lemon, cloves, sugar, and water in a saucepan and simmer over the fire, frequently giving it a stir.
Cook the sugar until melted, remove it from the stove, then let it cool before straining. Tip: the syrup stores nicely in a container for up to 5 days.
Now for the batter: Use a small bowl and mix together the butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
Mix until the ingredients are even throughout the mixture.
Split the batter mixture into four mugs evenly; pour a shot of rum into each mug, then include one teaspoon of the spicy simple syrup.
Now pour hot water into the mugs and stir. Notice the batter will dissolve.
Garnish with a cinnamon stick.
2. S’MORES & HOT CHOCOLATE COCKTAIL
Did someone say s’ mores? If you don’t make actual s’ mores at your campfire, try this delicious s’mores cocktail as an alternative. The only difference is the whiskey. It’s a campfire cocktail recipe that usually requires a microwave oven, but you can easily melt milk and chocolate chips over an outdoor fire.
drinks to keep you warm
Recipe:
Add heavy cream and in a saucepan over the heat of your fire.
Add chocolate chips into a small bowl and heat over the fire until melted. Be stirring the recipe along the way.
Turn a mug upside down and dip the rim into the chocolate, then dip it again into a plate of crushed graham crackers, then set the mug aside.
Now mix the milk and melted chocolate with the honey, chocolate syrup, and simple syrup, while stirring in the mixture a little at a time. Bring the entire recipe to a simmer, then remove.
Whisk the whiskey into the mixture and pour into the mugs. Toss in a few marshmallows and use a kitchen torch for the s’mores effect. Toasting is optional.
3. VANILLA CIDER COCKTAIL
Hot cider has to be the best drink for fall. It’s like wintertime in a cup, and it keeps you warm inside and out. It only requires four ingredients to make this yummy vanilla cider campfire cocktail over the fire. Vanilla Cider Cocktail is simple to make. Just boil non-alcoholic cider, combine it with vodka, hard cider, and heavy whipping cream. The only thing more simple is drinking it.
Recipe:
Bring non-alcoholic cider to a boil over the fire, then remove right at boil.
Pour chilled whipping cream into a screw lid mason jar. Shake until the cream turns thick and becomes your preferred consistency.
Pour a shot of vodka into the mugs.
Pour in a ¼ can of hard cider into each mug.
Pour 1/4 of the hot cider into each mug. Stir and top off with a little whipped cream. Enjoy.
4. MULLED WINE
This drink is a must at holiday parties. It’s also one of our favorite campfire cocktails for an outdoor bonfire with friends. You’ll need a bottle of red wine and a large pot for boiling. Mix brandy, spices, orange slices, and sugar, and let simmer for about 20 minutes. Strain off the liquid and your mulled wine will add the perfect touch to ghost stories around the campfire.
Recipe:
We suggest simmering your mulled wine over the fire for at least 20 minutes, or up to 3 hours. This will allow all of the different and delicious flavors to come through. Strain the spices, serve warm and enjoy.
5. MEXICAN HOT CHOCOLATE WITH TEQUILA AND CAYENNE PEPPER
mulled wine for a campfire
Chocolate and tequila? Really? Yes, definitely. It sounds a little strange, but bourbon isn’t the only spirit that compliments chocolate. This Mexican concoction is a delightful drink featuring spicy hints of cinnamon, cayenne pepper and a whole lot of cocoa goodness. Tequila may seem a little off base, but it actually adds a certain richness that you’ll love in the outdoors.
Recipe:
Warm milk in a saucepan over the heat.
Watching the milk carefully.
Add cocoa powder, Ibarra chocolate, and sugar.
Dissolve the chocolate over the heat, combining the mixture while stirring.
Add in the cayenne pepper. Begin with just 1/8 teaspoon to start. Add more to taste.
Pour the milk into mugs and add a shot of tequila.
Add whipped cream and sprinkle on some cinnamon.
6. TUTHILLTOWN TODDY
No matter if you prefer bourbon or gin, you’ll love this easy and delicious hot toddy. It’s as simple as boiling water and adding honey, lemon juice, and the liquor. Just be sure to relax in a camp chair, enjoy the crisp weather, and sip these campfire cocktails slowly.
Recipe:
Add honey, lemon juice, and whiskey to a mug filled with hot water.
Dissolve the honey.
Add a lemon slice, a stick of cinnamon stick, and some cloves for an aroma made in heaven.
7. HOT GIN PUNCH
Hot Gin Punch is a Victorian recipe dating back over a century, and it’s as yummy now as it was then. It’s another cocktail perfect for a small party or campout. Combine lemon zest, lemon juice, brown sugar, and water. Steam it for five minutes, then add gin and sherry to a small saucepan and let boil. Stir and enjoy campfire cocktails by the fire.
rum raisin campfire cocktails
Recipe:
Mix sugar and grated lemon zest in a saucepan.
Slice the pieces of zest in half, then add the squeezed juice into the sugar.
Pour in the water and allow to simmer.
Mix the dissolved sugar, lemon juice, and water.
Steam for five minutes.
Add in the sherry and gin.
Now let the Punch come to a boil. When it is steaming hot, take it off the heat, add the lemons, stir and taste. You can decide if it needs more sugar or water.
Let cool for two minutes.
Add a lemon slice and serve warm. Yum, yum.
Conclusion
So if you’re in the mood for hot, tasty campfire cocktails during the chilly fall and winter months, these are the drinks that will warm you from the inside out. Knowing how to spruce up a hot beverage by adding a little alcohol doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, these are very easy. As always, we have you covered here at Raising the Bar Liquors. Cheers!
