Water bottle Cocktails
This summer is all about making the best of things, and trying to find ways to have a little escape! We’re all spending tons of time in our backyards and in parks, camping, hiking, you name it! Enjoying the beautiful outdoors has always been the Colorado way, but it’s even more important this summer to get out in our own backyards and enjoy our beautiful state!
We’ve put together some ideas for you to take along some drinks that taste as good as our beautiful scenery looks. Fill up a water bottle, mason jar, or whatever container you prefer, and bring delicious beverages with you wherever this summer takes you!
Water Bottle Negroni
They call the negroni the perfect cocktail because it’s just equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth (the red one). So whatever size container you have, fill it up with equal parts of the ingredients, and you’re set. Just make sure that vermouth doesn’t get too hot. This cocktail is best kept cold in a cooler or on ice in a backpack. If it’s really well-chilled, you can just pour and enjoy. Or if you can, serve over ice.
Water Bottle Manhattan
This one is super simple, too, but it’s 2 parts whiskey to 1 part sweet vermouth. Manhattans also love bitters (angostura or cherry) and if you’re really feeling fancy, a cocktail cherry. Please, please don’t get the bright red maraschino from the grocery store! A drink this sophisticated needs those yummy brandied amarena cherries that you can get at most liquor stores. (Trader Joe’s even makes a pretty decent version!). We think Manhattans should be served well-chilled and up (no ice). Don Draper approved!
Batched Old Fashioned
There’s nothing like a little whiskey around the campfire after a long day of hiking! Batch up an old fashioned and you’ll have a cocktail at the ready!
Simple syrup: combine equal parts sugar and water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and then let simmer until sugar is dissolved. Allow to cool.
Combine 1 part syrup to 2 parts whiskey in your container (adjust for sweetness preference). Add in a few drops of angostura or orange bitters. If you like a really orangey old fashioned, you can even squeeze some fresh orange in there! To serve, pour over ice and garnish with an orange peel if available.
Summer Berry Sparkler Mocktail or Cocktail
This one’s going to take a little more work up front, but it is so worth it. Mix up a big batch and keep it in a large mason jar in the cooler. Make it mocktail-style for a crowd, but it’s so easy to add a spirit like vodka to it, too!
Berry simple syrup: Combine equal parts sugar and water in a saucepan, bring to a boil. Turn down the heat and add your choice of summer berries. We love blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries in any combination. Let the berries simmer and start to break down. You can even smash them a little. Then strain through a mesh strainer. You now have your simple syrup!
Combine with good quality homemade or store-bought lemonade. We like 1 part syrup to about 6 parts lemonade, but feel free to taste and adjust to your preference. Add in your choice of spirit, or keep separate to add later. Then, when serving, serve over ice and top with a little sparkling water. Garnish with a berry slice of lemon if you wish.
These are our favorite cocktails to take along camping or picnicking, but feel free to mix up your own favorites! Just remember to keep anything fizzy separate to top at the end, and you’re good to go! Cheers!