Two of my favorite cool weather cocktails for enjoying out of doors!

It’s getting chilly, the leaves are turning, and I feel like I can already smell winter on the way. We always try to spend as much time out of doors as possible, but this year in particular, I’m making a commitment to keep enjoying the out of doors - and especially socializing in the out of doors - even once it is solidly cold. Norwegians call it, friluftsliv, the free-air life. I call it, time to build a campfire! Here are two of my favorite recipes for fall from my book Camp Cocktails for you to try out around the campfire.

A whole water bottle full of Boulevardier!

That’s right, we can’t share flasks or cups because of Covid-times, of course, but you can still fill a whole water bottle full with a batched boulevardier cocktail and let everyone pour some into their own cup before enjoying. As a lover of Negronis, I also love almost all variations on the Negroni, and the boulevardier is a classic in its own right.

For a 32 oz. water bottle:

• 12.5 oz. Honor Brand Hay&Sunshine whiskey

• 6.25 oz. Campari (or our Amaro Superiore when it comes out this winter!!!!)

• 6.25 oz. sweet vermouth

• 6.25 oz of water in your water bottle.

  Stir to everything together in your water bottle, and store until campfire time

  (chill it if it is still warm where you are, don’t worry about it if you’re here in Duluth and it’s 45 degrees out, haha!).

Spiked Rosemary Cider!

It’s so easy to get caught up with cinnamon when we think about hot cider, it’s easy to forget how many other flavors apple loves, like woodsy herbs. This cider works rosemary and bay in, and it’s delicious alcohol-free in addition to spiked.

• One 4-inch sprig rosemary

• 1 cinnamon stick

• 1 bay leaf

• 8 black peppercorns

• two (2-inch long) strips of orange zest

• 32 oz. fresh pressed apple cider

• 6 oz. Cedar gin or Temperance River Rye whiskey

  Combine the cider with the herbs and spices and heat gently until steaming but not bubbling. Allow to cook for 15-20 minutes to let the flavors infuse. Remove from the heat and stir in the Cedar gin or rye whiskey (if desired) before serving.