In 2022, regular drinkers had an average of 6 drinks per week. When you regularly indulge in alcoholic drinks, however, the costs can add up.
If you love mixed drinks but don’t have much money to spend, you might want to start drinking some cocktails that won’t break the bank. Contrary to what you might expect, cheap drinks can be just as good as more expensive ones.
Here are the best-mixed drinks for those on a budget.
Gin and Tonic
If you want to drink well on a budget, you can’t do much better than a classic gin and tonic. Gin and tonics can be made using nothing but affordable gin and some tonic water.
On the other hand, if you want to get a bit more extravagant with your gin and tonic, you can also do that as well. Adding lime or orange slices to a gin and tonic, for example, could be an excellent way to spice it up and make it a bit more interesting.
As an alternative to gin and tonic, other tonic drinks are also great options if you’re on a budget. Vodka tonics and whiskey tonics are well worth considering.
Tequila Sunrise
Tequila Sunrise is a popular mixed drink that is neither complex nor expensive. All you’ll need to make this mixed drink is some tequila, orange juice, and grenadine, but the results of combining them can be well worth it.
Cheap tequila will do the trick nicely and will make for a great cocktail that’s easy to enjoy no matter when you feel the craving for one. You’ll be able to get a lot of mileage out of a bottle of grenadine, so you can enjoy plenty of these cocktails before you need to load up on supplies again.
To spice things up and have an even more exotic version of this drink, you can replace orange juice with grapefruit juice.
Old Fashioned
If you’re looking for a simple and affordable mixed drink, you can’t do much better than a classic old-fashioned. All an old-fashioned requires is bourbon along with sugar and Angostura bitters.
A cheap bourbon such as Jim Beam Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey will do nicely for a classic old-fashioned mixed drink and will allow you to drink in style for a low price. For a finishing touch and a masterful presentation, add ice cubes and a cherry garnishment.
Malibu and Pineapple
The Malibu and Pineapple is a great drink choice if you’re looking for a beachy concoction to enjoy during the summer months.
For this mixed drink, you’ll need to have a bottle of Malibu Rum, a delicious coconut-flavored liqueur. Then, you’ll mix it with pineapple juice to make a wonderful tropical drink.
There are plenty more malibu rum drinks to enjoy as well. Be sure to consider your options to find an affordable choice that you’ll love.
Cuba Libre
If you’re looking for an affordable mixed drink, you might want to opt for a Cuba Libre.
While you can have a cheap and simple rum and coke, adding a lime wedge instantly turns the mixed drink into a Cuba Libre instead. This extra dash of interest works wonders for the drink and makes it even more enjoyable.
As an alternative to an actual lime wedge, simply adding a bit of lime juice to your rum and coke can be a great choice as well. This will keep things even more simple and straightforward.
Mojito
Another classic drink that features both rum and lime, the mojito is also a budget-friendly choice that is simple and refreshing.
A mojito is made from rum, lime, mint, club soda, and sugar, so you don’t need much to make the drink once you’re in the mood for it. If you want to go a bit further with the basic mojito, however, there are some great ways to do it.
Adding more fruit to the drink can be a great way to spice it up. Consider adding pineapple or raspberries to make a mojito even more exciting.
As an alternative to the mojito, you can substitute the rum for whiskey and make a mint julep instead.
Moscow Mule
A Moscow Mule is also a great choice for the budget-minded cocktail lover.
All you’ll need to have on hand to make this delicious concoction is ginger beer, vodka, and some lime. Mixing these items together will make a classic Moscow Mule that you’ll find offers more than enough to suit your fancy when aiming to enjoy a drink at home or making a drink order at the bar.
There are also variations to consider as well. You may want to consider substituting the vodka for tequila to make a Mexican Mule or opting for bourbon to make the Kentucky Mule instead.
Black Russian
A Black Russian is one of the best alcoholic beverages to consider if you’re low on funds. This mixed drink requires very little. All a Black Russian consists of is a coffee liqueur and vodka and there are plenty of cheap brands to choose from that will taste great.
While some prefer to have a Black Russian, others prefer to have a white Russian instead. Not much different, a White Russian will include all of the above along with heavy cream.
Consider either of these drink options if you want to save money while also drinking well.
Vodka Cranberry
Also known as a Cape Cod or Cape Codder, the Vodka Cranberry is a classic drink that will not leave you wanting more.
Cranberry juice is easy to come by and is well worth keeping in the fridge if you want to have a refreshing drink from time to time. All you’ll need to do to make this drink is mix vodka and cranberry juice. Nothing could be easier.
If you feel like getting a bit fancier with your Cape Codder, however, you may want to garnish your drink with a lime wedge.
Choosing Mixed Drinks for Your Budget
If you love mixed drinks but want to stay within your budget, any of these drinks will do nicely. The Tequila Sunrise, Cuba Libre, Moscow Mule, Vodka Cranberry, and others on this list are all delicious drinks that won’t cost you much to enjoy.
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