My husband and I enjoyed a 5 week East Coast (USA) road trip. And when we travel we like the occasional fancy cocktail (classy, right? ha). BUT they can be so expensive and, well, not all bars are built the same. So instead of running the risk of paying way too much for a watered down Manhattan, we planned ahead. Below is a guide on how we enjoyed cocktails on our East Coast Road Trip. (And how we kinda/sorta saved money in the process.) Included are the cocktail recipes we used while on the road trip. BONUS: I also included our favorite cocktail bars that we visited, lucky you! So keep scrolling for how to enjoy cocktails on a road trip.
As always being a Pragmatic Traveler means I only recommend what I have actually done. So everything below is what I planned, packed and experienced on this road trip.
Check out our 30 favorite stops on the East Coast of the United States. Looking for dog friendly Airbnb’s? Here are our 9 favorite dog friendly Airbnb’s on the East Coast.
Cocktail Planning for the Road Trip
- First, I hit the liquor cabinets. I wanted to figure out what I could pack that would yield the greatest variety of cocktails while also requiring minimal ingredients. And more importantly, it didn’t take up too much space in my car. I also spent time looking through my wine bottles and beer. (In attempt to limit how much I would buy on the road.) I wanted to use up what I had. I ended up packing the following:
- Four Roses Bourbon
- Sweet Vermouth
- Campari
- Sacred: A London Dry Gin
- Bitters
- Luxardo Cherries
- 1 bottle of Orange Wine
- 1 bottle of Champagne
- 4 cans of beer
- 1 jigger (Brought some gear, just in case the Airbnb’s didn’t have it.)
- 1 twisty spiny spoon for mixing cocktails
Cocktail Recipes
This boozy pack job was inspired by my personal love of Bourbon and it allowed me to create a variety of cocktails.
Cocktail 1: Manhattan
Put 2 ounces Bourbon, 1 ounce Vermouth, Bitters, and a small amount of cherry juice into container with ice. Give it a bunch of whirls with the spoon. Make sure the back of the spoon only touches the glass. Strain into a glass and garnish with a cherry.
Cocktail 2: Campari Spritz
Pour a small amount of Campari into a glass and top with champagne. (Most recipes call for sparkling water which I don’t feel is necessary.)
Cocktail 3: Negroni
Following the same method as a Manhattan, mix the following ingredients into a glass with ice: 1 1/2 ounces of gin, 1 ounce of Sweet Vermouth and 3/4 ounce Campari.
Cocktail 4: Boulevardier
1 ounce bourbon, 1 ounce Campari and 1 ounce sweet vermouth. Follow the same method as a Manhattan. Mix in a glass with ice then strain into a cocktail glass and enjoy!
When planning your road trip cocktails, keep in mind the following:
- What you like to drink and do you already own it. I like bourbon so wanted to base so much of our cocktails around that and I had plenty of bottles to bring with me. This limited how much I had to buy.
- Brainstorm and research different recipes so you can get as many different cocktails as you can.
- Use up what is in your fridge. Since we were going to be gone so long, I didn’t want that beer and wine sitting around.
- Bring cocktail making gear. Some hotels and Airbnb’s won’t have the necessary gear. so bringing some will save you headaches and money.
- Be flexible. Save money where you can but also get out there enjoy really great cocktail joints.
Best Cocktail Bars we Visited!
- Copper and Oak, Danville, KY: Located on the Bourbon Trail. This is an excellent small restaurant in a charming town. The Prohibition Era Old Fashioned and the Blackberry Old Fashioned were excellent. The signature burger, I still think about!
- Mussel and Burger Bar, Louisville, KY: Excellent bourbon cocktails and mussels.
- Odd Birds Kitchen and Cocktail Lounge, St. Augustine, FL: The bartenders know what they are doing at this cocktail bar. The drinks were innovative, fresh, seasonal and delicious. Don’t miss the bartender’s choice where they create on the spot cocktails based on your personal preferences. I gave bourbon and got seasonal apple deliciousness. Highly recommend.
- Ice Plant Bar, St. Augustine, FL: This restaurant plays into their history and takes their ice seriously. Each cocktail comes with a different type of ice. They will even demonstrate how they create clear ice for your drinks. The drinks were spectacular and the food some of the best on the trip. (Beef Wellington, for the win!)
- Dahlia Lounge, Disney World, FL: This lounge is located at the top floor of the Coronado Springs Hotel in Disney World. Gorgeous views of Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. Great outdoor space and excellent cocktails. Pricy but it is Disney.
- Enchanted Rose, Disney World, FL: Also a Disney World Lounge. Located in the Grand Floridian. Innovative cocktails with an elegant vibe.
- Brown Derby Lounge, Hollywood Studios, FL: This is located in a Disney World park so it requires a ticket for entry. Put your name on the wait list and have access to a great cocktail menu and Cobb salad! The martini flight was great as well as their Christmas bourbon drink with rosemary!
Your Thoughts…
How do you enjoy cocktails while on a road trip? What is your go to cocktail? Share comments and recipes below!
