Backpacking Drink Recipes

Drink Recipes

Forget that flavorless water and boring sports drinks

Backpacking Drink Recipes
Don’t think that just because you are backpacking, you have to stick to the standard drinks of water and sports drinks. Use the following backpacking drink recipes that hydrate and refresh you while hiking along the trail. As breakfast is the most important meal of the day, it is essential to have a nutritional start to give you energy to last throughout the day.

Because the last thing you want to do while outdoors is dirty a bunch of pots and pans, most of our drink recipes can be done in just a single zip lock bag! However, Wild Backpacker recommends that when adding boiling water to your baggie, always use heavy-duty or freezer zip lock bags. Although there have been no claims of injury or illness, Ziploc® states their baggies are not intended to be used at high temperatures, so use at your own risk.

Original Hot Chocolate

  • 2 cups nonfat dry milk powder
  • 3/4 cups sugar
  • 1/2 cup Hershey’s cocoa
  • 1/2 cup powdered non-dairy creamer
At home: Combine all ingredients into a zip lock bag.

On the trail: To make a single serving, combine a 1/4 cup of mix to 3/4 cup boiling water and enjoy!
Makes 16 servings

Caramel Apple Cider

  • 1 0.74 ounce packet instant apple cider mix
  • 1 2-ounce container caramel apple dip
At home: Pack the cider mix and caramel apple dip separately.

On the trail: Add 8 ounces of hot water to your cup. Then, add the cider mix and caramel dip.
Makes 1 serving

This recipe courtesy of One Pan Wonders

Cherry Lemonade

  • 2/3 cup lemonade powder
  • 1/3 cup sweetened cherry flavored drink mix
At home: Combine all of the ingredients in a zip lock bag or other spill-proof container.

On the trail: Add 1-2 tablespoons mix to 8 ounces cold water. Stir and enjoy.
Makes 1 serving

This recipe courtesy of One Pan Wonders

Spiced Cocoa Mix

  • 1/2 cup powdered milk
  • 2 Tbsp non-dairy creamer
  • 3 Tbsp cocoa powder
  • 3 Tbsp sugar
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
At home: Combine everything in a zip lock bag.

On the trail: Add 1-2 tablespoons of mix into a cup of hot water.
Makes 1 serving

Note: To make this a spiced mocha, add 1 teaspoon of instant coffee.

This recipe courtesy of One Pan Wonders

Snickerdoodle Coffee Mix

  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup powdered milk
  • 1/4 cup powdered non-dairy creamer
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3 Tbsp instant coffee granules
  • 1/4 tsp allspice
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
At home: Combine all of the ingredients together. Store in a zip lock bar or other spill-proof container.

On the trail: Add 3 tablespoons of mix to 3/4 cup boiling water. Stir and enjoy.
Makes 8 servings (1 1/2 cups mix)

This recipe courtesy of One Pan Wonders