- Kayt
- Apr 20
- 6 min read
Campfire Vibes, Clear-Headed Mornings: What to Bring Instead of Beers
There was a time when “campfire drinks” meant one thing: beer. Preferably cold. Preferably cheap. Preferably wedged between the ketchup and a bag of suspiciously flattened hot dog buns.
And look, I’m not here to pretend that version of camp culture never existed. It absolutely did. It still does. But the cooler situation is changing, and honestly? I’m into it.
These days, I’m seeing more people build a campfire drink lineup that actually matches how they want to feel — not just that night, but the next morning too. That means non-alcoholic beer that still scratches the classic beer itch, canned mocktails that feel festive, THC and CBD options for people who want a different lane entirely, good old water, and healthier add-ins that make the morning-after version of you more ready to hit that hike.
The campfire ritual was never really about alcohol
Let’s face it, a lot of what feels good about “having a drink by the fire” has almost nothing to do with getting buzzed.
It’s the ritual. The cold can in your hand. The little crack-open moment. The sitting down. The exhale. The way the day winds down. The camaraderie.
That’s why alternatives are working. They keep the vibe, but they give people more control over the outcome. And yes, one of those outcomes is waking up ready for coffee and a trail, not negotiating with your own eyeballs at 7 a.m.
At Field Trip, our coolers are looking a little different these days: same campfire energy, better beverage options, way fewer regrettable mornings. Here’s what we are bringing ‘round the campfire:
NA beers: for when you want beer-beer energy
This is the easiest swap, and honestly, it’s the one that feels the most seamless.
Athletic Brewing has built its whole identity around craft non-alcoholic beer, with styles like IPA, golden, pils, and light options designed to feel like actual beer, not a sad little compromise. The company says its beers are brewed with a proprietary process to keep full flavor, and most of its NA beers are under 0.5% ABV. That “I want a beer by the fire” feeling? Still very much intact.
Tester notes were strong here: clean, crisp, genuinely beery, and not trying too hard to make up for what’s missing.
Athletic Brewing also gets big points from us for putting real muscle behind its outdoor ethos. Through its Two For The Trails program — now the largest annual environmental grant program in craft brewing — the brand has invested more than $8 million in trail work since 2018, supporting 500-plus grant recipients across 46 states and three countries.
Mocktails: not fake fun, just fun
Mocktails have come a long way from sad little “drink alternatives” that feel like an afterthought.
Brands like Mockly make this category a lot more interesting. Their canned, non-alcoholic cocktails are built to feel festive and grown-up, not like you got handed the consolation prize. That’s what I want at a campsite: something easy to toss in the cooler, easy to crack open, and still special once the fire gets going.
Because that’s the thing — a good mocktail should still feel like part of the ritual. It should have personality, taste, and complexity—and Mockly fits the bill. Our testers said Mockly tasted bright and balanced — fruity without going full candy, with enough bite to still feel like a real grown-up drink.
Canned mocktails are especially great for camp because they keep things simple. No shaker. No chopping fruit on a picnic table. No tiny bottle collection rolling around in your camp bin. Just cold, good, done. (And recyclable!)
THC and CBD drinks: same ritual, different lane
For some people, the move away from alcohol doesn’t stop at NA beer or mocktails. It shifts into THC- and CBD-infused drinks instead.
Artet is probably the clearest example of the “cocktail person’s cannabis alternative” category. Their flagship aperitif is a non-alcoholic botanical THC spirit with notes like cardamom, ginger, juniper, and grapefruit, made to be poured and mixed like a traditional aperitif.
Field Trip testers described Artet’s aperitif as citrusy, botanical, and lightly bitter, with enough spice and herbal depth to feel like a real cocktail experience rather than a one-note alternative.
The gorgeous blue bottle can be reused, which we love. We especially appreciated that Artet includes a shot-glass-style measuring cup with easy, approachable guidance for finding your ideal amount — a small detail, but one that makes the whole experience feel more user-friendly and less like guesswork.
We also tried Artet’s Strawberry Basil Spritzes, a THC-and-CBD sip that felt bright, botanical, and just summery enough for campfire duty — a little fancier than your average canned drink, but still easy to crack open by the fire. Taste-wise, testers described it as bright, botanical, and lightly fruity, with the basil giving it a fresh edge that made it feel a little more elevated.
Tattersall Functional has also moved into this space with Tattersall Functional, an alcohol-free line from the distillery that combines hemp-derived THC with CBD, adaptogens, and electrolytes. The brand frames those drinks as functional tonics for connection and calm, which feels pretty on-brand for the “I would like to enjoy the fire and also remain a coherent human” crowd.
Tattersall’s two offerings also fit different campfire moods. Uplift feels more like the chatty, pass-the-snacks, stay-up-late option; Unwind is better for the slower, quieter part of the night when you’re ready to settle in and let the fire do most of the talking.
Flavor-wise, our testers described Tattersall as clean and grown-up, with subtle botanical notes and a less sugary profile than many canned alternatives. We tried several of the recipes included on Tattersall’s website and Instagram. We were really impressed with the flexibility built into the flavor profile, making Tattersall perfect for a number of cocktail-like creations.
The bottles are also lovely and can be upcycled in a number of ways. Bonus points for that!
To note: THC is not alcohol in a different outfit. It hits differently, but just like with alcohol, timing can vary, and “just one more” is not a particularly elegant strategy when you’re outdoors, in the dark, and around a fire. Start low. Go slow. Know the rules where you’re camping, because they vary a lot by state, property, and public land unit.
Water: still undefeated
I know. Water is not a glamorous headline. But it deserves a seat at the campfire table.
If you spent the day hiking, paddling, biking, or simply sitting in the sun, water is not boring. It is elite. Still water, sparkling water, citrus slices, electrolytes — whatever gets you to actually drink it.
And this is also an easy place to make the cooler a little less wasteful. Instead of loading up on single-use plastic bottles, pack a big refillable jug, insulated water bottles, or a few reusable cups for camp. Same hydration win, a lot less trash to haul home.
A cooler with more water in it is rarely a bad idea. A cooler with more water and less plastic junk? Even better.
The healthier add-on we’d pack for the morning-after crowd
Daily Elements makes a microgreens powder from four ingredients: micro broccoli, micro kale, micro red cabbage, and micro peas. The company says it contains no additives, flavors, or sweeteners, and that it is grown indoors, freeze-dried, and third-party tested for contaminants, pathogens, and heavy metals. It’s not certified organic, but the brand says that’s because the greens are grown hydroponically rather than in soil.
Translation: this is less “campfire sipper” and more “the next morning, when you want to add something green to water or a smoothie.”
This whole mix of NA options does something camp culture has needed for a while: it gives people options.
No weird pressure. No defaulting to beer because that’s what camping is “supposed” to look like. Just more ways to gather around a fire and still enjoy the morning after.
Just more ways to circle the fire, swap stories, and call it a great night without sacrificing the morning.
P.S. Cannabis and alcohol rules can vary by campground, park, and public land unit, and alcoholic, THC, or CBD products are not for everyone. People with medical conditions, medications, pregnancy, or other health concerns should check with a clinician before adding them to the mix.
This article is sponsored. We only partner with brands and feature products we’ve personally tried, tested, and feel good recommending.
