As a hiker and outdoor enthusiast, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of being out in the wilderness, surrounded by the beauty of nature, and sharing a campfire with friends. Some of the most memorable evenings I’ve ever spent involved sitting around a campfire, watching the stars and ‘shooting the breeze’ with good friends and a few glasses of whiskey.

After a hard day walking what better way to end the day than with a refreshing drink in hand?
If you’re staying in a hostel or bunkhouse there is a chance they may have a bar or be close to a pub, but what if they don’t, or if you’re camping in the middle of knowhere. Realistically how easy is it to carry a bottle or two for miles? Well if it’s a short walk it’s not too bad but if you’re carry food and a tent – the extra weight of bottles might be too much for some.

On a few of the longer hikes I’ve done with friends, we used to drive as we could to the ‘predicted’ camp spot a day or two before and bury/hide a container full of alcohol and snacks. It saved carrying them there – but we then of course had to carry them back – plus the container! We only did this twice and then decided it was too much hassle – so we always made sure our stop points were near a pub!

New lightweight drinks made for carrying

Recently (just a few months ago), I discovered a new product by a company called Hocus – which is absolutely perfect for hiking (even if that’s not it’s intended purpose). It’s a bottle of spirit (Gin, rum etc..) which has been condensed down into a spray dispenser. It’s literally small enough to fit inside a pocket.

For anyone interested, it’s actually a really clever product – they have removed all the alcohol to reduce the volume, and to tuen it back into a full drink again you add a couple of sprays to a drink and boom you have a full gin, rum whiskey or whatever. You can add it to almost anything adding it to lemonade, tonic or even water creates an authentic flavoured drink but alcohol free! If you want an alcoholic version you simply add it to a small amount of their pure alcohol drink (which is available in pouches for easy carrying)

Of course you still have to bring a mixer, but a pouch of alcohol or a few small bottle of tonic/lemonade won’t break anyones back. Ot;s not perfect – but if you really fancy a drink at the end of the day, this is a fantastic way to do it!

I haven’t seen these on the high street yet – but you can buy them online. each spray will give you up to 60 drinks! I have to say the Gin one is the best I’ve tasted and the Bourbon (made by Bespoken Brewery) is amazing.

The best drinks around the campfire

Beer is great – but if you don’t fancy carrying cans or bottles with you, here are some of the drinks taht are just sublime in the evening…

Gin: A Classic Campfire Cocktail

When it comes to classic cocktails, gin is definitely a top contender. It’s a versatile spirit that can be mixed with a variety of mixers to create a range of drinks. Around the campfire, gin and tonic is a go-to drink for many hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. It’s simple to make and refreshing on a hot day. To make a gin and tonic, just mix gin with tonic water and (if you’ve brought one!) a slice of lime. Ideally you should have ice.. but even without it’s a lovely refreshing drink!

Pink Gin: A Refreshing Twist on a Classic

If you’re looking for a twist on the classic gin and tonic, try pink gin. Pink gin is a flavored gin that’s infused with fruits, spices, or herbs. It’s a great option for those who prefer a sweeter drink. Around the campfire, try mixing pink gin with tonic water for a refreshing summer drink.

Rum: A Sweet and Spicy Option

Rum is a sweet and spicy spirit that’s perfect for sipping around the campfire. It’s also a versatile spirit that can be mixed with a variety of mixers to create a range of drinks. One popular option is a rum and coke. To make this drink, simply mix rum with cola. If you don’t want to carry a can or bottle of coke – it still goes well with lemnade or tonic water!

Bourbon: A Smooth Sipping Drink

Bourbon is a smooth sipping drink that’s perfect for enjoying around the campfire. It’s a type of whiskey that’s made from corn, and it has a rich, smoky flavor that’s perfect for a cool evening. The best way to enjoy bourbon is sat next to the campfire and drink it neat or with a splash of water (in the absence of any ice) and sip it slowly.
(If you’re looking for a sweeter option, and you don’t mind carrying a few extras try mixing with ginger ale)

In conclusion, there are many alcoholic drinks that are perfect for enjoying around the campfire, including gin, pink gin, rum, and bourbon. Each of these spirits has its own unique flavor and can be mixed with a variety of mixers (depending on how much you want to carry) to create a range of drinks. The Hocus drinks system allows you to bring multipel spirit based drinks withotu all the heavy bottles they normally come in.

Just remember to drink responsibly, enjoy the beauty of nature around you and take all your empties with you the next morning!