Summer campouts offer the perfect opportunity to slow down, reconnect and embrace the beauty of the great outdoors. Whether exploring the lakes, trails and forests of Central Oregon or simply gathering around a campfire beneath the stars, camping creates lasting memories rooted in adventure and relaxation.
At the end of a full day of summer campout activities, a signature cocktail for adult company to enjoy can add a nice touch to the outdoor experience. Daytime beverages usually include non-alcoholic drinks, light beers and plenty of water. However, when the sun sets and it’s time to fire up that grill it’s also time to get those cocktail ingredients ready.
Two of our favorite recipes for a perfect summer camping trip are the Oregon Old Fashioned and the Bourbon Blueberry Smash. With local Bourbon and fresh ingredients like blueberries, lemon juice, orange zest and mint – these delicious cocktails promise go well with steak, burgers, chicken and even as an aperitif for star gazing.
Batched Old Fashioneds
A day or so before your camping trip, batch up this recipe and have it ready to go for the trip. This includes 1 bottle (750 ml) of Burnside Oregon Oaked Bourbon, 1 ½ ounces of simple syrup and ½ ounce of Angostura bitters. Mix and set aside in an airtight pitcher, something that will travel well. This will be good for 12 cocktails, double if necessary.
When ready to pour drinks, follow these steps: Put a square or larger ice cubes in your glass or camping cup. Pour batched mixture just above the ice cube(s). Put an orange wedge and a cocktail cherry in the glass and stir well, and enjoy!
Individual Old Fashioneds
Ingredients
- 2 tsp water
- 1 tsp demerara or granulated sugar
- 3 dashes Angostura bitters
- Cubed ice (not crushed)
- 2 ounces of bourbon or Crater Lake Straight American Rye Whiskey
- 1 wide strip orange peel or orange wedges
- 1 to 2 cocktail cherries, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Stir 2 teaspoons water, 1 teaspoon demerara sugar, and 3 dashes Angostura bitters together in a mixing glass or cocktail shaker until the sugar is nearly dissolved. Fill a cold camping cup or old-fashioned glass with ice. Fill the mixing glass or cocktail shaker with ice, add 2 ounces bourbon and stir until chilled. Pour the cocktail through a strainer into the glass. Twist the orange peel directly over the cocktail’s surface or put in an orange wedge and stir. Garnish with 1 or 2 cocktail cherries and enjoy!
Bourbon Blueberry Smash
The Bourbon Blueberry Smash is a slightly more involved cocktail, however once crafted for dad and other adults, it’ll be one of the best parts of the trip! Prep for this cocktail can include getting the fresh ingredients separated into different containers and making sure they stay cold.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup blueberries
- 2 tbsp of fresh lemon juice
- 4 fresh mint leaves
- Cubed ice
- 2 ounces of Burnside Oregon Oaked Bourbon
- 4 ounces of ginger beer
- 2 small sprigs fresh mint for garnish
Instructions
Divide 2/3 cup blueberries, lemon juice and mint leaves between 2 glasses or cold camping cups. Muddle inside of the glasses to crush the berries and mint. This can also be done in a shaker. Top the muddled blueberry mixture with ice. Add the bourbon and ginger beer; stir to combine all the ingredients. Garnish with remaining blueberries and mint sprigs. Enjoy!