Sili-Blog
Fall Festivities: Don’t Forget the Cocktails
5 MINUTE READ
The leaves are changing and your tan is fading because fall is officially here. Whether you jump for joy or feel a tinge of grief the first morning you step out on the porch and see your breath, we’ve got your back. We know it’s hard to want to leave your warm pajamas, but don’t let the hibernation vibes take over just yet.
It’s time for a beautiful season that brings us delicious cocktails like Irish Coffees, festive apple ciders, and fancy hot chocolates. Of course, the colorful leaves, eccentric pumpkins, and campfires are nice too! So, get your layers on and get outside for some fun, Silipint style.
Apple & Berry Picking
If you get an early start, before fall has really arrived, you may be able to enjoy a few days of blackberry picking! Fresh blackberries make an excellent addition to a homemade iced tea, or better yet, a homemade pie!
Enjoy one of fall’s quintessential and delicious beverages, perfect for any age: apple cider. When we say “apple cider”, what we mean is deep, dark, cloudy brown cider that’s made from one thing: fresh apples. We don’t mean anything from a packet, anything from concentrate, or anything you can see through. Find a local orchard, or take a mini road trip to go apple picking. This is perfect for adults, kids, even awkward first dates. When you get home, fire up the crockpot and let the fun begin. This SUPER simple recipe will have your home smelling a cinnamon sensation.
- 10 Apples
- 2 Peaches or Oranges
- 3-5 Cinnamon Sticks depending on your preference
- 2 teaspoons of ground cloves
- Sugar or Honey to taste
- Peel and quarter all of your apples. Put everything in the crockpot. Cook on high for 6 hours.
- Carefully remove the fruits with a ladle. Then, serve immediately with fresh cinnamon sticks and an orange peel garnish.
- Opinions may vary, but we think the best way to enjoy this recipe is around a campfire in the backyard. Invite your friends and neighbors over and heck, if it’s Friday, take it to the next level and add a little bit of whiskey to stay extra warm!
Tailgating Party
There’s no better way to kick off the turning of the leaves than with an awesome tailgate party. If you haven’t read our previous blog on how to be the Ultimate Sili-Fan, that’s ok, we’ve got a few pointers in this one too.
- Set up yard games to keep the blood flowing, it can be quite cold for the early games. Cornhole and a DIY football toss always spark good competition. You can even use your Silipints as a football, they are impressively aerodynamic.
- Bring along a thermos with hot chocolate. They work great to keep it hot throughout all the tailgating fun. Be a hero and bust out your supply of Silipints for everyone to use. Half Pints paired with 8oz Lids are great for sharing and keeping the hot cocoa warm.
- Now for those of you looking to take your hot chocolate game all the way to the end zone, we found a delicious list of recipes for you from The Kitchn. Whether you prefer Bailey’s, Kahlua, or even Red Wine, yes that’s apparently a thing, this blog has some fudging good recipes.
Enjoy the Scenery
This season brings such beautiful surroundings. Take the time to appreciate the rotating colors on rolling hills and beautiful trees that line your neighborhood. There are a few really fun ways to transport yourself through the leaves of fall.
- Take a train. Whether you want to go across the entire country, or just from one city to the next, you may be able to find a scenic train route. Perfect for a 3-7 day adventure with family or friends.
- Canoe or kayak. Even if it’s just to take a short trip around a lake, a great way to capture fall’s beauty is by boat! Take your time by paddling around with someone who makes you laugh. Bring a few of your favorite pumpkin beers (yes, if we’re going to reference pumpkin it will be in the form of yeast-fermented malt) and a few unbreakable Silipints for the perfect sunset paddle.
- Roadtrip time! Choose a destination that avoids a highway excursion. We’re thinking a backroads kind of trip. Stop at a local diner for probably the best eggs benedict you’ll ever have and meet some cool people along the way. Equip the car with your favorite fall coffee (save the pumpkin for your beer though ;)), pack your Silipints and hit the road!
Camping Under the Harvest Moon
Fall is a beautiful time to cozy up with friends and family around a campfire. The forest is full of colors and the mountains in the distance are dusted with snow. However, these beautiful views come at a chilly price. With a little extra nip in the air we do recommend you gear up appropriately.
- Cozy blankets are a must! Mom and dad’s Pendelton would be great, but if you can’t get away with that, just create a stockpile of whatever you’ve got lying around. The more wool, the better. Cotton absorbs moisture whereas wool, polyster and fleece wick away moisture. Tell everyone to bring all the extra blankets they have just in case some get damp in the morning.
- It’s all about the layers in the fall! Rain comes and goes, there is a lot of dew in the morning, so base layers, outer layers, & rain jackets over everything is a good way to plan.
- Next, keep your feet covered with wool socks and then either rain boots or waterproof hiking boots. You definitely don’t want to be known as “soggy shoes sally” or whatever people are saying these days.
- Onto the good stuff, the hot meals. The comfort of eating a warm meal on a cold, fall night by a fire is incomparable.
- Pack up your cooler with an assortment of brats, shrimp skewers, and corn and you’re ready for a grilling good time. You can even use your Silipints to melt the butter right on the grill for a glutenous glaze on your dinner.
- Before camping, make a batch of your famous chili that you can reheat over a campstove. Bring along a set of Squeeze-a-Bowls, or if you plan on sharing, bring along a set of 12oz Bases. The Bases work nicely for sharing smaller portions with a large group.
- Don’t forget to quench your thirst. Pair your hot meals with a good beer to share or a warm cocktail. All you need is a growler fill and your handy car camping set of Silipints and you’ll be ready to bundle up to a good ghost story at sunset. Don’t forget the lids to keep those pesky bugs out of your beverage.
If you’re looking for a few more tips read up on our Cold Camping Tips to Keep You Comfortable.
Stay positive over the colder months by planning a few adventures to look forward to (the cocktails might help too).
