- You can make delicious and eye-catching cheap drinks with the appropriate method without spending a fortune.
- Stick to classic recipes that require fewer ingredients and use affordable liquors to save money without sacrificing taste.
- One way to enhance the taste without spending too much money is by infusing spirits with herbs, fruits, or spices.
- Use fresh and seasonal ingredients like fresh-squeezed citrus juice to elevate the taste of your cheap cocktails.
Are you looking for cheap drinks? Be assured that enjoying a classy drink doesn’t have to be pricey. It turns out that some of the greatest traditional cocktails have just two or three ingredients and can be easily prepared at home. Even leaving a tip for the bartender is optional!
The greatest inexpensive beverages to create are listed down below! Keep in mind that because the cost of liquor varies widely depending on quality, we haven’t specified a specific price for each beverage. Purchase what you can manage, and let the beverage take care of the rest!
Why Make Your Own Cheap Drinks?
Learning how to make mixed cocktails at home is simple and may help you save lots of money. Also, you don’t have to blow a fortune stocking your house bar. Anybody can brew up a good selection of quick and cheap alcoholic drinks with only a few ingredients and some basic recipes.
When you make your own drinks, you can ensure they are made with fresh and healthy ingredients. Pre-made mixes and cheap liquors often contain artificial flavors, colors, and sweeteners that can be unhealthy. Making your own drinks allows you to customize them to your liking, tailoring the flavors and ingredients to your taste preferences.
Another reason is to impress your guests with your mixology skills, creativity, and attention to detail. Cheap mixed drinks are just as delicious and impressive as those served in high-end bars, and they can be a great way to entertain your guests.
Cheap Drink Ideas To Make at Home
We prepared a few cheap drink ideas that you can make at home at your next party or just to spice up your night.
Classic Cocktails
1. Old Fashioned
To make an Old Fashioned, you start by placing a sugar cube in the bottom of an Old Fashioned glass and saturating it with a few dashes of bitters. Then, muddle the sugar and bitters together until the sugar is dissolved. Next, add a large ice cube to the glass and pour in the whiskey, stirring gently to combine. Finally, garnish the drink with a citrus peel.
2. Manhattan
Begin by placing ice into a glass, followed by pouring in whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters. Finally, garnish the drink with a cherry. The combination of whiskey, vermouth, and bitters creates a bold and sophisticated taste that is sure to impress.
3. Sidecar
The flavor of the Sidecar is deep and nuanced, sweet and tangy. Begin by sprinkling sugar down the rim of a chilled cocktail glass to produce a Sidecar. The cognac, triple sec, and lemon juice are then added to a cocktail shaker. Shake the mixture quickly and then strain it into the glass with the sugar rim. If you like, add a twist of lemon peel as a garnish.
Vodka Cocktails
4. Bloody Mary
Add a few cubes of ice to a shaker. Add 125 ml of tomato juice, 50 ml of vodka, 1 tbsp of lemon juice, 25 ml of sweet sherry, 14 tsp of Worcestershire sauce, a few drops of hot sauce, and a sprinkle of each of salt, black pepper, celery salt, and fennel seeds to the shaker. Mix vigorously, then pour into a tall glass filled with ice and top with a cherry tomato, lemon wedge, and celery stick for decoration.
5. Moscow Mule
In a metal cup, julep tin, or tumbler, pour 50ml of vodka. Add ginger beer to the container, fill it to the top with crushed ice, and gently mix to blend. To serve, add a lime slice, a few dashes of ginger bitters, and a sprig of mint.
6. Cosmo
Start by combining mandarin vodka, a tablespoon of orange liqueur, a tablespoon of lime juice, and cranberry juice. Add ice to the shaker and shake the mixture. Once the cocktail is well-shaken and the outside of the shaker feels cold, strain it into a chilled martini glass. Finish off with a slice of orange zest.
Gin Cocktails
7. Martini
To make these cheap drinks, such as delicious gin martinis, you will need equal amounts of gin, lime juice, green chartreuse, and maraschino liqueur. It’s another beverage that those with sweet cravings may not like because it’s sophisticated, sour, and quite boozy. In light of this, give it a shot—you never know!
8. G&T
With the appropriate adjustments, a gin and tonic may transform into something much more sophisticated. For a classic G&T, mix one part gin with two parts tonic water and pour over ice. A simple slice of lime is always a classic choice, but you can also try adding cucumber slices, fresh herbs like basil or thyme, or even berries like raspberries or blackberries. These garnishes not only add visual appeal to your drink, but can also enhance the flavors and aromas.
9. Tom Collins
The traditional Tom Collins is sharp and fruity, with a depth of tart citrus taste. Club soda (or soda water), sugar, lemon juice, simple syrup, and gin are all necessary ingredients. Shake it until cool, then serve on the rocks. You can also use a tablespoon of honey instead of the sugar to add a hint of golden flavor without sacrificing any sweetness.
Rum Cocktails
10. Classic Daiquiri
This recipe enables you to make this well-known beverage with just three ingredients: rum, lime juice, and simple syrup. It has a flavor that is expertly balanced – sweet and sour. Put the ingredients in a blender rather than a cocktail shaker, and add tons of ice for an extra-special summer treat. You can use any type of rum you like, from light to dark, and experiment with different types of simple syrup, such as honey or agave.
11. Classic Pina Colada
You simply felt that the pina colada would be included as well! To make a delicious frozen pineapple cocktail, gather the following ingredients: ice, aged rum, cream of coconut, pineapple juice, lime juice, and frozen pineapple. Put a cherry and a whimsical umbrella on top after blending the ingredients until they are chunky and slushy.
12. Mai Tai
Another fruity, tangy staple that almost everyone is familiar with is the Mai Tai (and most people love it). This cocktail combines orgeat, orange curacao, lime juice, pineapple juice, light rum, and dark rum, creating a tropical and flavorful drink that’s perfect for any occasion. It would almost be too tart to be acceptable without the rum and orgeat, which give it some burnt, nutty overtones that help soften out the entire cocktail.
Tequila Cocktails
13. Tequila Sunrise
It’s a delicious froth made of sweet citrus soda, tart cherry, zingy lime, silky tequila, and all your favorite flavors. Also, it’s quite simple. To make this fruity refresher, simply combine one part tequila, one part cherry juice, and one part fresh lime juice in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake the mixture vigorously for about 30 seconds until it’s well combined. This refresher is so easy to make and a favorite for happy hour.
14. Paloma
The Paloma is a beverage for those who despise cocktails since it is made with grapefruit juice and lime. Give the Paloma a try if you’ve avoided mixed drinks because you find them to be overly sweet, sickening, or gaudy. Made with sparkling water, tequila, and citrus, it is light and straightforward. There isn’t any extra sugar in this, just a tiny bit of agave to counteract the tart flavors.
15. El Diablo
A sinister combination of lime, ginger beer, and black currant liqueur make up this tequila drink. El Diablo is a vivacious spirit with the ideal harmony of sweet, tart, and spicy tastes. This cocktail is indeed a perfect balance of sweet and tart, with a kick of spiciness from the ginger beer. It’s a light drink with a hint of zing ideal for a hot day or a night out with friends.
Wine Cocktails
16. Bellini
Blend the sliced peaches in a blender or food processor until they become a smooth puree. Add the sugar to the peach puree and mix well until dissolved. Slowly add the chilled Prosecco or Champagne to the pitcher while stirring gently. You may also add a slice of fresh peach or a sprig of mint to the Bellini as a garnish.
17. Sangria
This recipe combines red wine, brandy, simple syrup, and fruit to create a delicious and easy-to-make pitcher. Combine the red wine, brandy, simple syrup, and fruit in a pitcher. Refrigerate for 4 to 8 hours or until the drink is cooled and the tastes are well-balanced.
When it’s time to serve the sangria, fill wine glasses with ice and pour the chilled mixture over the top. You can also add a few pieces of fruit from the pitcher to each glass for a colorful and festive touch.
18. Aperol Spritz
Aperol Spritz is a light, refreshing drink, ideal for summer. Add the 3 parts Prosecco or any dry sparkling wine, 2 parts Aperol, and 1 part soda water in the glass filled with ice. Give the mixture a gentle stir, and add an orange slice as a garnish. You can change the proportion of Aperol to Prosecco if you like your Aperol Spritz sweeter.
19. Tinto de Verano
Tinto de Verano is a refreshing and popular wine cocktail from Spain. The name translates to “red wine of summer,” and it is commonly consumed during the hot summer months. The drink is made by mixing equal parts red wine and lemon-lime soda, although some variations use carbonated water or citrus soda instead. It is usually served over ice with a slice of lemon or lime as a garnish. Tinto de Verano is a simple and budget-friendly cocktail that is perfect for outdoor gatherings, picnics, or any occasion where you want to cool off with a refreshing drink.
Tips for Making Cheap Drinks at Home
Here are a few tips we thought you should know to help make the best drinks at home that will have your guests asking for more.
Make your own simple syrup
Simple syrup is a common component in cocktail recipes and is very easy to manufacture at home. In a pan, combine one part water and one part sugar. Heat over low heat while stirring until all the sugar has dissolved. You can also experiment with different types of sugar, such as brown sugar or honey, to give your cocktails a unique flavor.
To add a special touch, try experimenting with various flavorings. For example, add cinnamon sticks or vanilla beans for a warm and cozy flavor or fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme for an herbal infusion. Citrus zest or ginger can add a bright, zesty flavor to your syrup while adding a touch of heat.
Pour into a glass jar that has been sterilized, then allow it to cool somewhat before sealing. Having a batch of simple syrup on hand can make it much easier to whip up cheap alcoholic drinks at a moment’s notice without the need to measure out and dissolve sugar each time.
Choose Affordable Liquor Brands
When purchasing liquor, it’s easy to get carried away and spend a significant amount of money on premium brands. Nonetheless, several cheap drinks companies provide high-quality goods without exorbitant cost.
For those searching for affordable vodka, brands like Sobieski, Svedka, New Amsterdam, and Smirnoff are excellent options to consider. These brands offer from classic unflavored options to creative and exciting flavors perfect for mixing into cocktails.
When it comes to gin, there are several affordable options to choose from, including Gordon’s, Beefeater, Seagram’s, and Tanqueray. These brands offer a range of gins, from traditional London Dry to contemporary and flavorful varieties, making them a versatile choice for any home bartender.
Bacardi, Captain Morgan, Malibu, and Cruzan offer quality options for those who enjoy rum. These brands offer a variety of rums, from classic light and dark varieties to flavored options that are perfect for mixing into tropical cocktails.
Finally, for tequila lovers, El Jimador, Sauza, Olmeca, and Lunazul offer affordable options perfect for sipping or mixing into classic cocktails like margaritas.
Use Fresh Fruits and Herbs instead of Pre-made Mixes
Using fresh fruits and herbs instead of pre-made mixes can take your cheap mixed drinks to the next level, both in terms of taste and health benefits. Here are some benefits of using fresh ingredients:
- Better taste: Fresh fruits and herbs have a more vibrant and natural taste. Pre-made mixes often contain artificial flavors and sweeteners, making the drink taste synthetic or overly sweet.
- Health benefits: Fresh fruits and herbs are loaded with vitamins, antioxidants, and other nutrients, which can have health benefits. For example, citrus fruits like lemons and limes are high in vitamin C, which can boost the immune system, while herbs like mint and basil are known for their digestive and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Versatility: Using fresh ingredients allows you to customize your cocktails to your taste preferences. Experiment with different fruits, herbs, and spices to develop original taste combinations.
By using fresh ingredients, you can create delicious and healthy cheap alcoholic drinks that will impress your guests and make you feel good.
