S’mores martinis and indoor camping

Summer is almost over and another year has gone by without us taking a camping trip. Every year we talk about it wistfully, remembering the campfires, the quiet and clear nights under the stars, the bacon and eggs breakfast that always tastes so much better from a camp stove, and of course, the s’mores. But as great as all of those things are, my favorite camping trip ever took place in our own living room.

For my birthday week (yes, week) a few years ago, Andy surprised me with an indoor camping extravaganza. He is notoriously bad at waiting to give gifts, and several days before my birthday, he just couldn’t wait any longer. I was sent upstairs with a glass of wine and instructions to close the door behind me. Soon after, I heard odd noises coming from downstairs.

Turns out, putting up a ridiculously large tent indoors by yourself can be a bit difficult. The noises I heard were the mile-long tent poles scraping against the walls and Andy described a scene that I would have paid to witness. After his wrestling match was over and the entire living room was turned into a tent (complete with equally large air mattress and fluffy sleeping bags), we did indeed have our indoor camping extravaganza. And the tent may or may not have stayed up for at least a week, and I may or may not have passed out in it after overindulging on my actual birthday. Best camping trip ever.

For your next indoor camping trip, make a batch of s’mores martinis in place of the real deal, no campfire necessary.

S’mores Martini

Makes 1 or 2, depending on size of glass

4 ounces fluffed marshmallow vodka

1 ounce crème de cacao

1 teaspoon chocolate syrup, plus extra for rim

2 tablespoons Cool Whip

graham cracker crumbs

Pour some chocolate syrup onto one saucer and graham cracker crumbs onto another. Dip the rim of the martini glass into the chocolate syrup and then into the crumbs to coat.

Put vodka, crème de cacao, 1 teaspoon chocolate syrup and Cool Whip into a shaker with ice. Shake until chilled. Strain into prepared glass.