Best Spirits And Beverages For Camping 2022

This entry from the Park City, Utah distillery is one of the quintessential camping beverages. Not only is the name perfect, but it brings together a few different kinds of whiskey to create an approachable blend with enough smoke and peat to make it different from others. It walks a fine line between bourbon and Scotch, and is a fine sipper or even a mixer in a simple cocktail. 

There are few ciders more reminiscent of the colder months than this collaboration beverage between Washington’s Schilling Cider Co. and Oregon’s Kinglet Tea. You really feel like you’re drinking a new take on mulled cider with traditional Chai spice notes of cinnamon and cardamon ringing through. At 6.5% ABV, it also stands as quite drinkable with enough heft for those looking for a meatier, non-hard alcohol beverage. 

This wouldn’t be an outdoors-inspired spirits list without at least one producer from Colorado. The Centennial State has a surprising number of distilleries, and perhaps more surprisingly, has an excellent rum producer in Montanya Distillers. Exclusiva is a higher-end label aged for two-and-a-half years in American White Oak and another six months in French Oak that previously held cabernet sauvignon and port. Consider this a great pairing with the warm dessert coming off of the camp stove. 

Grand Teton Distillery lets its basic vodka marinate with local huckleberries for 12 weeks to create a unique and substantive base for campsite cocktails. The reddish hue adds plenty of color, not mention how great this would be as a new twist on a Moscow Mule. They also make a smaller version with a rugged top ready to attach via carabiner to your pack.

It seems that mezcal is finally getting the recognition it deserves, and it happens to make a great winter beverage as well. For those just getting into the spirit, Desolas is less smoky than some of its counterparts and continues a production lineage spanning more than a century. Mix it in for a more complex Negroni, or sip it straight. 

Speaking of Negronis, you’ll need a solid gin for the traditional version, and that’s where we turn to Breckenridge Distillery’s offering. You get all of the traditional botanicals, but mixed in with Rocky Mountain water. It’s also a recent Double Gold recipient at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. 

Wyoming Whiskey’s National Parks series celebrates our nation’s finest natural treasures with each bottle sold supporting Yellowstone Forever, the official non-profit partner of the park. It also happens to be an excellent whiskey with a beautiful golden color and complex flavors meant to transport you to your favorite natural destination.

Georgia’s SweetWater Brewing comes to the table with this high-powered 8.1% winter ale, sharing many of those essential spices and flavors of the season. As a special brew produced only once a year, it’s an occasion beverage worth saving for that special trek, annual gathering or spontaneous nightcap.

Oregon’s Westward Whiskey has ruggedness and an adventurous spirit built into its DNA, and its newest regular-line release is a true testament to both. This label takes the brand’s flagship whiskey and bottles it at cask strength (125 proof). It’s a hearty pour, and one you’ll want to save for those extremely cold nights in the backcountry. 

There’s no reason to haul a glass bottle of wine to the campsite when there are great canned options like Union Wine Company’s Underwood sparkling wine. Not only is it an economical choice, but one full of flavor that instantly elevates any evening into one of celebration.