- why-s-mores-and-coffee-belong-together - Why S’mores and Coffee Are the Ultimate Campfire Companions
- classic-pairings-that-never-fail - Classic Pairings That Never Fail: Tradition Meets Taste
- next-level-flavor-combos - Beyond the Basics: Next-Level Flavor Combos
- real-campfire-stories-and-recipes - Real Campfire Moments and Personal Pairing Favorites
- crafting-your-own-combo-at-pine-cliff - Craft Your Perfect Pairing with Help from Pine Cliff Resort
1. Why S’mores and Coffee Are the Ultimate Campfire Companions
There’s a reason s’mores and coffee have become the heartbeat of every great camping trip. The warm, gooey sweetness of a perfectly toasted marshmallow and chocolate, balanced with the bold, earthy notes of campfire-brewed coffee, creates a pairing that’s comforting, nostalgic, and deeply satisfying. It’s not just dessert—it’s a ritual, often shared under a sky full of stars and the soft hum of a crackling fire.
In American camping culture, this pairing is more than tradition. It’s the moment your hands warm on a mug while the graham cracker crunches between your teeth. It's the laugh of a friend recounting a story, the feel of pine beneath your boots, and the smoke curling through mountain air. These memories become part of why coffee and s’mores matter—and why getting the combination right makes all the difference.
2. Classic Pairings That Never Fail: Tradition Meets Taste
2.1 The Original S’more and Medium Roast Brew
The gold standard starts with traditional s’mores—graham cracker, milk chocolate, and marshmallow. Pair it with a medium roast coffee, brewed either in a French press or percolator. The smooth, slightly acidic roast cuts through the sweetness and enhances the chocolate notes without overwhelming the senses.
2.2 Dark Roast with Peanut Butter S’mores
For campers who like a nuttier twist, swapping the chocolate bar with a peanut butter cup is a game changer. Pair it with a robust dark roast, and you’ve got a combo that feels indulgent yet grounded. One couple we met at Pine Cliff Resort swore by this combo—they said it was the reason they invested in a portable coffee grinder for all future road trips.
2.3 Light Roast with White Chocolate Raspberry S’mores
White chocolate adds a creaminess that goes surprisingly well with tart raspberry jam spread between graham crackers. A floral, light roast with hints of citrus pairs beautifully here, echoing the brightness of the jam. It’s the kind of pairing that feels elegant, even out in the woods.
3. Beyond the Basics: Next-Level Flavor Combos
3.1 Salted Caramel S’mores + Cinnamon Cold Brew
Adding a drizzle of salted caramel to your s’more can elevate its depth. Paired with a cinnamon-infused cold brew—yes, even at the campsite—you’ll find a refreshing contrast between sweet and spice. This pairing is perfect for late summer nights when the fire is low but the stories are just heating up.
3.2 Mocha Chip S’mores + Nutty Espresso
One camper at Pine Cliff Resort crafted a s’more using crushed chocolate chip cookies instead of graham crackers and added a dash of cocoa powder to the marshmallow before toasting. With a nutty espresso, this became his go-to dessert drink combo. “It tastes like grown-up comfort food,” he joked—and he wasn’t wrong.
3.3 Spicy Chocolate S’mores + Iced Vanilla Latte
For those who crave a bit of heat, consider using a chili-infused dark chocolate bar in your s’mores. Paired with a creamy vanilla iced latte, it’s the perfect yin and yang—heat and cool, bitter and sweet. It’s a conversation starter, and surprisingly popular among younger campers.
4. Real Campfire Moments and Personal Pairing Favorites
4.1 A Family Tradition with a Twist
Emily, a mom of three from Missouri, shared how her kids invented their own “banana s’mores” while camping at Pine Cliff Resort—layering banana slices with marshmallow and dark chocolate. “We didn’t even mean to pair it, but the cinnamon coffee I brewed with breakfast matched it beautifully. It’s now our breakfast dessert.”
4.2 Late-Night Reflections and Black Coffee
One solo traveler recalled a misty night spent journaling beside the fire, sipping black coffee from a steel mug while eating classic s’mores. “I never thought something so simple could feel so grounding,” he wrote later. “I wasn’t even hungry. I just needed that feeling.”
4.3 Friendsgiving Around the Fire
During a fall camping trip with college friends, one group created a ‘Thanksgiving s’more’ with cranberry jelly, white chocolate, and a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar. Paired with a maple-spiced latte brewed on a Jetboil stove, it became a holiday tradition. “Better than pumpkin pie,” one of them declared.
5. Craft Your Perfect Pairing with Help from Pine Cliff Resort
If you're dreaming of the perfect s’mores and coffee night under the stars, Pine Cliff Resort offers the ideal setting. Whether you’re bringing your own gear or trying s’mores for the first time, the campgrounds are equipped to help you explore and experiment with all your favorite flavors.
From lakeside fire pits to quiet forest trails, Pine Cliff creates the kind of environment where your favorite pairings can become cherished traditions. Ask the staff about their own combos—you might end up with a recipe that becomes part of your family’s next camping trip.
