You are wonderful. You are so smart and witty. I love the way you laugh. Thanks for being you. Doesn’t that feel nice? Compliments are golden and are better in abundance. In keeping with this positivity, let’s talk about the perfect complement to a fall camping adventure: a delicious backcountry cocktail that can be served hot or cold.
We’re calling this mix-up the Backcountry Bourbon Cider Smash, and it will be sure to bring the metaphorical house down if you know what I mean. It’s a super simple recipe that is ready to go in minutes and can be tweaked to delight as many campers as you can throw at it. Since we are at camp, we are going to use the Gregory 3D Hydro Trek to mix and serve the BBCS.
What you will Need:
- GREGORY 3D HYDRO TREK 3L
- 64 Fl Oz Apple Cider
- 750 ml Bourbon (Recommend starting with ¾ of the bottle. Add to taste)
- 4 oz Lemon Juice
What You Will Need To Make It A Hot Toddy:
- 1 Apple Sliced
- 3 Cinnamon Sticks
- Stove and Pot
How to Mix Your Cocktail in the Gregory Hydro Trek
We recommend using a decent bourbon for this cocktail, but by no means breaking the bank. We went with a crowd favorite: Wild Turkey. Feel free to experiment with rye if that’s more of your style. Pour the Apple Cider and the Lemon Juice into the Hydro Trek. Start off by using ¾ of the bottle of bourbon and add more if you are really trying to get that party started. Shake it like a polaroid picture.
Keeping Your Cool
After shaking it up, this cocktail is ready to be served as is! Find a place to hang the Trek from on a tree close by for serving and start the campfire! Assuming this is a fall campout, you could get away without adding ice. Of course, if you like that crisp coolness in your beverages, bring a cooler to add some cubes to your delight.
Some Like It Hot
The best part of this recipe is that it can be heated up and served as a Hot Toddy keeping those bellies happy, spirits high, and fingers warm! The best practice is to add the Apple Cider, Lemon Juice, Cinnamon Sticks, and Sliced Apples to the pot and warm it up. Try to keep it from boiling and just focus on keeping it hot enough for the flavors to blend. Once the apple slices soften, it’s ready to go!
Alcohol purists, please skip over this section. Ok, I get it. You already mixed the cocktail in the Hydro Trek because you were enjoying it over ice all day. But now the temps have dropped, the campfire is stoked and you are wanting a toasty beverage to enjoy as a nightcap. Permission granted. Haters gonna hate, but that shouldn’t stop you from you doing you. It’s OK to pour the premixed cocktail into the pot to warm up, but do not overcook, and definitely do not bring it to a boil. That would be alcohol abuse. All you’re looking to do is warm it up. Trust me, everything will be OK.
To give this bevie a spicier edge, feel free to play around with ingredients. One star anise, a few whole cloves, or a slice of fresh ginger would be wonderful in a hot toddy. Maybe drop in some maple syrup or honey.
How to Clean Your Hydro Trek After Your CampoutIt’s always important to clean and dry your hydration bladder as soon as you get home to help stop bacteria from growing, especially if you have put anything other than water in it. Rinse the reservoir with warm water and mild detergent. Use a brush to make sure you get it nice and clean. Then add 2-3 tablespoons of baking soda, ¼ cup of white vinegar, and warm water. Shake it up and let it sit for 5 minutes. This will help get rid of any residual odors from the sugars in the cocktail. Rinse thoroughly before drying.