Category: Camping Drinks

Refreshing Strawberry Margarita with Mezcal

One of my good friends, who I love to camp with, dared me once to come up with a cocktail with mezcal that she would actually like. After a few tries, I finally came up with one she drank and enjoyed! You can make everything ahead of the trip and store in mason jars and just mix up when on site. I like to bring an empty mason jar to use as a cocktail shaker!

Infused Strawberry Tequila –

  1. Put 4 cups of strawberries, tops removed and sliced, in a large mason jar.
  2. Pour one 750 ml blanco tequila into jar (save the empty jar for later!). Top with lead and seal
  3. Store jar in a cool, dark place. I placed mine in a closet.
  4. Shake twice a day for about 30 seconds until tequila turns red and seems flavorful. About 2-3 days
  5. Using a strainer and funnel, pour tequila through strainer into the empty tequila bottle and discard strawberries
  6. Now ready to add to a cocktail!

Day 1 – Strawberries in mason jars with blanco tequila

Day 3 – Strawberries infused in blanco tequila

Strawberry Infused Tequila

Strawberry Mezcal Margarita –

  • 2 oz strawberry infused tequila
  • 0.5 oz mezcal tequila
  • 0.75 oz lime juice
  • 1.5 oz simple syrup or strawberry simple syrup (note below)

Add all ingredients to a mason jar or cocktail shaker. Add ice, top with lid, and shake for 30 seconds or until cold. Pour into a glass and garnish with a strawberry and/or lime.

Note: to make strawberry simple, heat equal parts water and sugar with about 10 strawberries and simmer (not boil) for about 15-20 min, stirring to make sure sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. Store in a mason jar or air tight container

Cheers!

I would love feedback! If you have tried this recipe, please rate below and/or comment!

Refreshing Iced Coffee Recipe for Camping Adventures

Re-using Brother’s Bond Bourbon bottle for my Iced Coffee

I wouldn’t know it by the current weather outside, but it is May and that means camping season for me is almost here! I’ve already started brainstorming on meals for this summer and hoping I can create some new favorites. Although, I was on a Tahoe weekend with friends a couple months ago and they are all still talking about my monkey bread from a couple years ago so this summer will be a mix of new and those must have favorites!

So this time of year while I contemplate what new recipes I want to try, I also try to think of new ways to consolidate what I pack, new versatile items that I can buy to cut down on space, and just ideas on how to make the packing and unpacking easier. In fact, I might have gone a little crazy on Carrot camping wish list yesterday!

One of the ways I try to minimize items packing, is to re-use as much as possible. For example, that mason jar you brought for lime juice for the margaritas can be used as storage for leftover cut veggies or meals. On that same note, why not use that empty liquor bottle for leftover coffee for an afternoon beverage later. Coffee with a little bourbon flavor can’t be bad, right? (Just kidding, I did rinse the bottle of my favorite bourbon Brother’s Bond Bourbon first but I am sure it is fine). So I thought I would share one of my favorite afternoon go-to drinks. Of course, for camping the mixers would be in smaller to-go containers.

Iced Coffee with Hazelnut and Almond Milk

  • 1 – 2 tsp. of Hazelnut syrup
  • Leftover Cooled Coffee
  • 3/4 to 1 cup Almond Milk

Directions

  1. Wash out used bottle
  2. Add 1 to 2 tsp. of hazelnut syrup to the bottom of the bottle
  3. Pour leftover coffee into bottle or to the amount you desire (i.e. if you like 50/50 ratio, fill half way)
  4. Top with almond milk
  5. Put cap back on bottle and give it a good shake
  6. Pour a glass now or put the bottle in your cooler for a delicious afternoon pick me up!

I would love feedback! If you have tried this recipe, please rate below and/or comment!

Delicious Hot Cocoa Recipe for Hallmark Movie Nights

Anyone who knows me, knows at this time a year I am watching Hallmark channel 24/7. Now in sort of defense I actually watch it 24/7 all year round. I can also probably name almost every Hallmark hunk actor and every storyline and tell you which are my favorites by category and actress/actor. Always watch anything with Andrew Walker, Brendan Penny, Ryan Peavey, Lacey Chabert or Candice Cameron Bure. My personal choice is to always skip Alicia Witt cuz she drives me crazy and I don’t know why but my friends know I will say it. My friends know when they see all the lineup, they can text me and ask which ones should they watch or skip. So if you are wondering on this 2020 season here are my must watches –

  • Time For Us to Come Home for Christmas
  • Holly & Ivy
  • Deliver by Christmas
  • The Christmas Charm
  • Never Kiss a Man in a Christmas sweater
  • Christmas with the Darlings
  • A Timeless Christmas
  • Good Morning Christmas
  • Five Star Christmas
  • Christmas Waltz

Ok now that you have your movie watching list, I’m about to give you a delicious drink you can make alcoholic or not!

Ingredients –

  • Hot Cocoa (homemade or bought but if bought I recommend Ghiradelli)
  • Milk (or any nut or oat milk)
  • Red wine
  • Whip cream (optional)
  • Toppings such as candy canes or nuts (optional)

Directions –

  1. Heat one cup hot cocoa with one cup type of milk over medium heat and a small sauce pan. Stirring constantly.
  2. Once hot chocolate milk mixture has blended and warmed to a decent temperature, add 1 cup red wine
  3. Stir constantly until red wine hot cocoa mixture has heated well
  4. Pour into mug. Top with whip cream and any toppings you desire
  5. Enjoy! Preferably with a Hallmark movie of your choice

I would love feedback! If you have tried this recipe, please rate below and/or comment!

Easy Summer Salad with Kale and Avocado

Happy Summer Solstice! The longest day of the year and one of my favorite days. I love summer even though it is a little different this year. I miss baseball, barbecues, hanging by the pool and of course camping. At least I have my family. One thing my family loves is salads. We are usually trying to find new ones especially when we are starting to get tired of some of our favorites. So in honor of summer solstice, I thought I would share one of my favorites. In my family kale and almonds is a hit especially with my mom and sister but I prefer fruit/citrus in my salads. So combining the kale and almonds with some fruit was the inspiration for this one. Also, making your own dressing is so quick and easy once you find one you love, make sure to write it down. Saves on the calories in the bottled stuff!

Strawberry & Avocado Kale & Spinach Salad

Ingredients –

Salad:

  • Kale
  • Spinach
  • Strawberries
  • Sliced Almonds (toasted optional)
  • Avocado
  • 1/4 cup feta cheese
  • Sea salt

Dressing:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (usually 1 lemon)
  • 1 tsp. honey
  • 1/2 tsp. poppy seed
  • 1/8 tsp. salt
  • 1/8 tsp. fresh ground pepper

Directions –

  1. To make dressing, add all ingredients to a bowl and whisk until blended (or add to a mason jar and shake vigorously for about 30 seconds to a minute)
  2. In a bowl, toss half spinach and half kale with sea salt
  3. If toasting almonds, line on a baking sheet and toast at 350 degrees for about 5-8 minutes keeping a close watch
  4. Slice strawberries and and avocado and add on top of the lettuce blend
  5. Add almonds and feta cheese
  6. Toss with dressing and enjoy!

I would love feedback! If you have tried this recipe, please rate below and/or comment!

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Delicious Frosé Recipe for Warm Days

Anyone else getting creative with cocktails during this shelter in place? It has been getting warm where I live lately. We are about to hit almost 90 degrees this week so I will definitely be making this again.

I’ve also been getting a lot of requests for my recipe so thought I would share it here. Enjoy!

Frozen Rose - Frose

Ingredients –

  • Bottle of rose wine – use something you wouldn’t mind drinking any day but not expensive is my go to
  • Vodka
  • Frozen strawberries
  • Lemon

Directions –

  1. Pour bottle of rose wine in a quart size Ziploc bag at least a day before you plan to make the Frosé.
  2. Put bag in the freezer for at least 12 hours or a day until rose is mostly frozen.
  3. In a blender add the frozen rose wine, a handful of frozen strawberries (5-7 strawberries), 1/3 cup vodka and juice of one lemon.
  4. Optional – if you like drinks sweeter, add a bit of simple syrup to the blender
  5. Blend, pour and enjoy!

I would love feedback! If you have tried this recipe, please rate below and/or comment!

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Easy Strawberry Margarita Recipe for Camping

It’s another Friday during Shelter in Place”, and what a perfect time to test new drinks in my BlendJet. I love using my BlendJet while camping for frozen drinks. Today’s drink of choice – Strawberry Margaritas.

So a fun trick I found years ago for camping is Limeaid works great for camping beverages especially margaritas. It is a mix of lime and simple syrup together!

One note on the image below is I would use fresh strawberries instead of frozen. Add in liquid first, then fresh strawberries with a few small ice cubes.

Camping Strawberry Margaritas with BlendJet

Ingredients –

  • Strawberries
  • Limeade
  • Tequila of course (I prefer blanco)

Directions –

  1. Add 1.5 oz tequila (or a bit more if you like boozy like me) to blender
  2. Add two spoonfuls Limeade
  3. Add 3-4 strawberries depending on size
  4. Add a couple small ice cubes if using BlendJet. Add a few more for a larger blender
  5. Blend, pour and enjoy!

I would love feedback! If you have tried this recipe, please rate below and/or comment!

DIY Mango Banana Daiquiri for Camping

What crazy times we are living in right now! I recently bought a BlendJet and I’m so grateful it came before this quarantine/shelter-in-place, because it has given me an opportunity to test out cocktail recipes before future camping trips. I can’t wait to use this portable blender on my camping trips as you can take it anywhere and no plug is needed! If it dies, I can use my car to re-charge. This is going to bring camping cocktails to a whole new game!

At the same time, just dreaming about the days when we can really get out again. Also, who doesn’t love a delicious tropical dream while dreaming of warmer weather and beaches.

Mango Banana Daiquiri
Mango Banana Daiquiri

Ingredients –

  • Pineapple juice or frozen pineapple juice
  • Mango or frozen mango
  • Banana
  • Rum
  • Cream of Coconut, such as Simply Squeeze Coco Real
  • Ice

Directions –

  1. Start with putting 1.5 oz rum, pineapple juice (or frozen pineapple juice) and a couple squirts of cream of coconut into BlendJet
  2. Add mango and banana to BlendJet
  3. If not using frozen fruit, add a couple of ice cubes
  4. Blend until smooth and pour into glass
  5. Sit back, relax and enjoy!

I would love feedback! If you have tried this recipe, please rate below and/or comment!

Fresh and Simple Salads for Camping Adventures

I find salads easy to do for camping since almost everything can be prepped before the trip, stored and then just thrown together at the campsite. Also they go great with almost anything. I like to serve this one with my campfire lasagna and garlic bread recipes

Ingredients–

  • 6 cups arugula (store in ziploc bags prior to trip)
  • 1 bulb fennel, thinly sliced (store in ziploc bags prior to trip)
  • 1 to 1 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
  • 1/2 cup – 3/4 cup shaved Parmesan cheese
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1 lemon
  • 1/2 cup pepitas
  • 1 lime
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Cayenne

Directions–

Note: I do the first four steps before camping trip and store in a small mason jars

  1. In a small bowl, combine juice of half of lime, pepitas and dash of cayenne. Stir until combined
  2. Heat oil in a small sauce pan over medium heat. Add limed pepitas and toss frequently until lighter color and toasted
  3. Coat with juice from other half of the lime and stir to combine. Remove from heat and let cool. Store in a small mason jar if making prior to trip
  1. Make dressing by combining olive oil, juice from a lemon and salt and pepper (to taste). Store in a small mason jar prior to trip
  2. Combine in a large bowl, arugula, fennel, pomegranate seeds and shaved Parmesan.
  3. Drizzle with dressing and toss until coated
  4. Top with limed pepitas and serve!

I would love feedback! If you have tried this recipe, please rate below and/or comment!

Rating: 5 out of 5.

How to Make a Delicious Bloody Mary for Camping

So years back a friend of mine who is a bartender told me a secret for any great Bloody Mary Mix – A1 sauce. I don’t make this a lot cuz of tomato juice but now with my new Yeti, I see this more often in the future. Because who doesn’t love a breakfast with eggs, bacon and a bloody?

  • Two 64 oz. tomato juice
  • 2 lemons, juiced
  • 2 limes, juiced
  • 1/2 bottle of Worcestershire sauce – I use organic because fun fact – I’m allergic to fish oil! So for any vegetarian or just non fish people, if you want to be considered use organic because having anchovies in Worcestershire is not organic. My vegan coworker told me not to watch the videos not like I ever wanted to. 🙂
  • 5 tablespoons horseradish
  • 8 tsp salt
  • 5 tsp Tabasco
  • 5 tsp celery salt
  • 1 bottle A-1 sauce or steak sauce
  • Heavy dashes of black pepper – go crazy!

Mix all together and then taste and add to taste. I like to add more lemon and salt and pepper but you do you 😊

Put in a well sealed container and add to cooler chest.

At campsite, add in cup with ice and vodka and top with some bacon!

I would love feedback! If you have tried this recipe, please rate below and/or comment!

Refreshing Margaritas for Camping

Marg

In honor of my 20 year high school reunion shenanigans last night, I decided to do a cocktail post this week. So I’ve tried a few versions of these but I find the classic and basic one the best. However feel free to add anything that sounds tasty to you (I.e strawberries or jalapeños)

  • 1 can of limeade – I pour into a mason jar and keep in the freezer until I’m packing the cooler
  • Tequila – anejo or blanco are my go to’s
  • Club soda
  • Limes

Fill glass with ice. Add 1.5 oz shot of tequila. Add a large spoonful of the limeade. Fill remaining of the cup with club soda. Stir and garnish with a lime

Also if you want a little sweeter, I sometimes add a topper of Grand Mariner.

Cheers!

I would love feedback! If you have tried this recipe, please rate below and/or comment!