Backpacking Happy Hour

[AZBrad123]

Curious for those that drink alcohol on backpacking trips, anyone have any good suggestions for light drinking recipes. Spiced rum and powdered cider or Everclear and KoolAid is a standard of ours. Any other suggestions?

[bryanmertz]

packed up my nalgenes with wine.

This has been my method the past few trips. It can't be a coincidence that they make 1 liter wine bottles and 1 liter Nalgenes? When the wine is gone, I have a Nalgene to mix up some Gookinaid or Gatorade in.

Bryan

[Crocodile Ryan]

my favorite is white russians

everclear + shelf stable or powdered milk + instant coffee + a little water = amazing

[PaleoRob]

I found small, 250mm containers of wine at Target, yes Target. They have a Chardonay, Metlot and a Cabernet Sauvignon. It is sold in packs of 4. Each container is about the size of a Red Bull can. Basically this breaks down to 3 servings per bottle. A hefty pour. Each is its own container that can be stuffed anywhere in your pack and you don't need a cup, sorta like a juice box for adults without the straw and shapped like a can. Runs about $10 for the block of 4. You won't find it at Trader Joes or Fresh & Easy, but maybe AJ's. Giving them a try this weekend on my trip to the sups.

That stuff is perfect for the trail! I have used and drank that stuff, and it ain't too bad either.
Though I prefer straight rum in an aluminum flask.

[writelots]

At Food City they sell these "Mexican" coolaid mixes. There's one made by Tang that comes in some cool flavors, like Mango, Horchata, Strawberry and Jamiaca. These are SUPER yummy - they taste more like fresh fruit juice than anything else. The Mango is particularly good with Captain Morgans.

Also, has anyone seen the new wine saver bottles from Platy? They're coated so the wine isn't exposed to the light ('cause there's nothing that'll ruin my $4 bottle of cabernet than a few moments in the light). They look like a lighter alternative than the Nalgenes...

[te_wa]

for boxed wine try French Rabbit brand. target sells it at some of their stores.

[writelots]

IMHO generic Listerine is the only way to go. It's cheap, comes in an unbreakable plastic bottle, and makes ya feel like a hobo.

You may FEEL like a hobo, but you won't SMELL like one. That's what I call a good deal!

[Al_HikesAZ]

This is my luxury on a backpacking trip. On most trips I agree with Te-wa - a great blue agave tequila. My favorite is Herradura Anejo or Patron Anejo. The distillers art is truly displayed in these exquisite nectars. Especially in the Grand Canyon or in the AZ desert.
But I also agree with Crocodile Ryan (and Te-wa) - neverfear everclear. The white russian idea is great. Weight to alcohol content is maximized. :guilty:
Great wine "bruises" when it sloshes around and just doesn't justify the weight to alcohol content. IMNSHO (In my not so humble opinion)

Herradura Resposado might go better with venison, but I would still go with the Anejo.

Listerine won't improve my smell after a couple of days in the backcountry. :budrose:

[te_wa]

the reason I commented on Everclear was that it serves double duty - as an alcohol for your stove. Thats right, it burns clean.
You should absolutely check out the simple but flavorful Trago Reposado - only it comes in a funky bottle that looks like a giant lipstick tube.
Another quality hand crafted (but affordable) anejo is the Corazon. Truly some depth to the taste and fwiw... Patron does not grow their own agave, they buy it from local farmers. SO, being faithful to the art form and distiller of the craft, I refuse to drink it (plus, its severly over priced)
If you package your wine in a platypus you can remove most or all of the air so no sloshing occurs. I have to agree w/ you on the effect on the taste. One thing I noticed about the packaging on the French Rabbit wine is there is no aftertaste when I used it to scoop water from a trough. I figure the box doesnt affect the taste of the wine, either.

[Al_HikesAZ]

I think we've hijacked this and turned it into the 'Quila thread.
Most Reposados are a little too "peppery" for me. I'm an Anejo kind of guy. The Patron was a gift so I have no idea what it cost.
Bevmo and Sportsman's are just down the street so I should be able to find the Corazon Anejo and I'll try the Trago Reposado.

You will never find me carrying wine on a hike. You don't get people arguing over what foods to eat with which Tequila. We are so much more enlightened than those snobby wine drinkers.

[te_wa]

We are so much more enlightened than those snobby wine drinkers.

:bigth:

trago looks like a giant Max Factor lipstick case. really bizarre. I just finished (well its been a couple of months actually)
some and i want more. The dude at Sun Devil's told me about it.

[writelots]

Patron does not grow their own agave, they buy it from local farmers. SO, being faithful to the art form and distiller of the craft, I refuse to drink it

Well, now I know what to pack if I want to keep you out of my tequila ;)

[JimmyLyding]

Tres Amigos tequila is also very good. I have found it @ A.J.'s, and I'm not sure it's sold anywhere else.
Everclear + Kool Aid mix + some water = Captain Stupid Punch. Great stuff. Throw a few pieces of dehydrated fruit in there, and pull the pieces out after a few rounds, and you have dessert. Raisins don't work so well, however.
You can also use Everclear to clean wounds.
Plaza Liquor in Tucson (on the east side of Campbell between Glenn and Grant a few blocks south of Frankie's South Philly Cheesteaks ) has these small plastic pouches of liquor. I think there's tequila, vodka, and gin. Nothing fancy, but also great for sneaking into football games.

[rushthezeppelin]

Man why do all you people love tequila? Have ya'll never had that one bad experience that made you swear off tequila for the rest of your lives? Until I can figure out a way to bring a 6 pack of 4 peaks with me still cold and not as shaken then I'll stick to scotch whiskey.......nothing smoother : P

[Al_HikesAZ]

Man why do all you people love tequila? Have ya'll never had that one bad experience that made you swear off tequila for the rest of your lives? Until I can figure out a way to bring a 6 pack of 4 peaks with me still cold and not as shaken then I'll stick to scotch whiskey.......nothing smoother : P

I've sworn off of Mescal after a rough night with some Gusano Roja. But good Tequila is delicious. I also use it to send a message to any shindaggers or agave of what will happen to them if they mess with me. Back in civilization I enjoy a good 21 year or 18 year Macallen. My father taught me not to mess with jailbait Scotch whiskey.

[te_wa]

My father taught me not to mess with jailbait Scotch whiskey.

especially if it comes in a plastic bottle - just ask steve..

[rushthezeppelin]

Man why do all you people love tequila? Have ya'll never had that one bad experience that made you swear off tequila for the rest of your lives? Until I can figure out a way to bring a 6 pack of 4 peaks with me still cold and not as shaken then I'll stick to scotch whiskey.......nothing smoother : P

I've sworn off of Mescal after a rough night with some Gusano Roja. But good Tequila is delicious. I also use it to send a message to any shindaggers or agave of what will happen to them if they mess with me. Back in civilization I enjoy a good 21 year or 18 year Macallen. My father taught me not to mess with jailbait Scotch whiskey.

Lol good point with the puttin the agave plants in their place : P Now we just need to make a liquor out of catclaw to show them who's boss^_^

[writelots]

Lol good point with the puttin the agave plants in their place : P Now we just need to make a liquor out of catclaw to show them who's boss^_^

Well, if the relationship between the nastiness of agave and the taste of tequila is any indicator, something tells me that not only would hooch made from catclaw be an acquired taste that knocks lesser persons on their tukas, but it would probably be even harder to love and give you a hangover that would strip the skin from your head...

[te_wa]

i still insist that its unfair to blame tequila if you drank inferior brands like Cuervo and Sauza. (or mescal for $6 a bottle)
tequila can easily hold its own agains high dollar Cognac and Scotch. This is well known in the "circles"
try some 'real' tequila and you will see what i mean
Al's got it down.

RTZ, go get'cher self a bottle of El Tesoro Blanco to taste the clean pure taste of unmolested tequila.
after that, explore a little flavor with Reposado (rested) from Corazon or Herencia
then you can go nuts with the bold and spicy (sometimes fruity) flavors of the Anejos and Super-anejos. Trago is good and so is Casa Noble.
Drink tequila from a brandy style snifter.

lately ive been sipping on Sailor Jerry rum. Good tasting and cheap.

[rushthezeppelin]

Back to the subject of vinos Sutter Home also has those little mini 4 packs of different varieties in little 1 serving plastic bottles. I've used them in the past to sneak in a little bit of wine for my old roommate who was doing summer camp (she was a scout troop assistant leader). Shes Italian so she had to have her fix : P I got a 4 pack of the white zinf which is okay for the backpack this weekend into peter's canyon.

[jaysmith]

I love this thread! I've worked at Trader Joe's for about 5 years now, and every time I go on a trip I contemplate bringing some wine along, now I know I'm not alone!