Cheap drinks can be a great way to enjoy tasty beverages without spending too much money.

Whether you’re hosting a party or just looking for affordable options at the bar, there are many budget-friendly drink choices available.

You can find cheap drinks that are both delicious and easy on your wallet.

From simple mixed drinks to creative cocktails, there are options for every taste and budget.

With a little knowledge about affordable ingredients and popular recipes, you can discover new favorites that won’t break the bank.

1. Mojito

Mojitos are a refreshing and budget-friendly drink option. You can make this Cuban classic at home with just a few ingredients.

Start by muddling fresh mint leaves and sugar in a glass. Add white rum, lime juice, and ice.

Top it off with a splash of soda water.

For a cheaper version, use an inexpensive white rum. You can also skip the fresh mint and use mint syrup instead. This will save you money and time.

Mojitos are perfect for hot summer days or any time you want a light, minty cocktail.

They’re easy to make and won’t break the bank.

2. Whiskey Sour

The Whiskey Sour is a classic cocktail that’s easy on your wallet. You’ll need whiskey, lemon juice, and sugar or simple syrup.

Mix two parts whiskey with one part lemon juice and a half part sugar. Shake it up with ice and strain into a glass.

For a frothy texture, add an egg white before shaking. This step is optional but adds a nice touch.

Garnish with a lemon wedge or cherry if you like. The Whiskey Sour offers a perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors.

3. Piña Colada

The Piña Colada is a tropical cocktail that’s perfect for hot summer days. It’s a blend of rum, coconut cream, and pineapple juice.

You can make this drink easily at home. Mix white rum, cream of coconut, and pineapple juice in a blender with ice.

Blend until smooth and creamy.

For a cheaper version, use a less expensive rum. You can also substitute canned coconut milk for cream of coconut.

To save money, buy frozen pineapple chunks instead of fresh pineapple. This cuts down on prep time too.

Garnish your Piña Colada with a pineapple wedge or maraschino cherry for a fun, tropical look.

4. Margarita

Margaritas are a fun and affordable drink for your next gathering. You can make them easily with just a few ingredients.

You’ll need tequila, lime juice, and triple sec. Mix these together with ice in a shaker.

Shake well and strain into glasses.

For extra flair, rim your glasses with salt. Just run a lime wedge around the edge and dip in salt.

Want to save money? Buy cheaper tequila for mixed drinks. The other flavors will mask any harshness.

Try different fruit juices to create tasty variations. Mango, strawberry, or even cucumber can add exciting new flavors to your margaritas.

5. Screwdriver

The Screwdriver is a classic and affordable cocktail that’s easy to make at home. You only need two ingredients: vodka and orange juice.

To make a Screwdriver, fill a glass with ice, add 1.5 ounces of vodka, and top it off with orange juice. Stir gently and enjoy.

For the best taste, use fresh-squeezed orange juice if possible. If not, choose a good quality store-bought juice.

You don’t need expensive vodka for a Screwdriver. A mid-range brand will work well. Some good options include Absolut, Tito’s, or Smirnoff.

Try adding a splash of soda water for a lighter version. You can also garnish with an orange slice for a nice touch.

6. Appletini

The Appletini is a simple yet tasty cocktail you can make at home. It combines vodka, apple schnapps, and lemon juice for a sweet and sour flavor.

To make an Appletini, fill a shaker with ice. Add 2 ounces of vodka, 1 ounce of apple schnapps, and 1/2 ounce of lemon juice.

Shake for 15-20 seconds until cold.

Strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass. For extra flair, garnish with a slice of green apple or a maraschino cherry.

This drink is perfect for parties or a night in. You can adjust the sweetness by adding more or less apple schnapps to suit your taste.

7. Mai Tai

The Mai Tai is a classic tiki cocktail that brings tropical vibes to your glass. You can make this drink at home for less than fancy bar prices.

To mix a Mai Tai, you’ll need light rum, dark rum, lime juice, and orgeat syrup. Orange curaçao adds a citrusy touch.

Shake the ingredients with ice and strain into a glass filled with crushed ice. Garnish with a lime wedge and mint sprig for a fun look.

For a cheaper version, use a single type of rum instead of two. You can also make your own orgeat syrup at home to save money.

8. Tequila Sunrise

You can make a tasty Tequila Sunrise without breaking the bank. This colorful drink needs just three ingredients: tequila, orange juice, and grenadine.

Choose an affordable blanco tequila as your base. Fresh orange juice is best, but store-bought works too.

Add a splash of grenadine for that signature sunrise effect.

To make it, fill a tall glass with ice. Pour in 2 ounces of tequila and 4 ounces of orange juice.

Slowly add 1/2 ounce of grenadine, letting it sink to create layers.

This simple recipe lets you enjoy a fancy-looking cocktail at home for much less than at a bar.

It’s perfect for summer parties or relaxing evenings.

9. Long Island Iced Tea

Long Island Iced Tea is a strong cocktail that packs a punch. It’s a mix of several spirits and a splash of cola.

To make it, you’ll need vodka, gin, rum, tequila, and triple sec. Add equal parts of each, about half an ounce.

Mix in some lemon juice and simple syrup.

Pour the mixture over ice in a tall glass. Top it off with cola for color and fizz. Stir gently and garnish with a lemon slice.

This drink is popular at bars and parties. It’s easy to make and tastes better than its low price suggests. Just be careful – it’s stronger than it seems!

10. Cosmopolitan

The Cosmopolitan is a classic cocktail you can easily make at home. You’ll need vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, and fresh lime juice.

Mix these ingredients in a shaker with ice. Strain into a chilled martini glass for a fancy presentation.

To save money, skip premium vodka brands. A mid-range option works fine in this mixed drink.

You can also use bottled lime juice instead of fresh to cut costs.

For a fun twist, try flavored vodkas like citrus or berry. This changes the taste without adding extra ingredients.

11. Rum Punch

Rum punch is a tasty and budget-friendly drink for parties. You can make a big batch to serve many guests without breaking the bank.

The basic recipe uses rum, fruit juices, and grenadine. Mix dark and light rum with pineapple, orange, and lime juices.

Add a splash of grenadine for color and sweetness.

For extra flavor, try adding coconut rum or spiced rum. Garnish with orange slices and cherries to make it look festive.

You can adjust the recipe to your taste. Make it stronger or weaker by changing the amount of rum. Add more or less juice to suit your preferences.

12. Paloma

The Paloma is a refreshing Mexican cocktail that’s easy on your wallet. You’ll need tequila, grapefruit soda, and lime juice to make this simple drink.

Start by filling a tall glass with ice. Pour in 2 ounces of tequila and the juice of half a lime.

Top it off with grapefruit soda and give it a gentle stir.

For extra flavor, add a pinch of salt to the rim of your glass. You can use fresh grapefruit juice and club soda instead of grapefruit soda if you prefer.

This tangy, fizzy drink is perfect for warm days. It’s a cheaper alternative to margaritas and just as tasty.

13. Sangria

Sangria is a tasty and budget-friendly drink for gatherings. You can make it easily at home with cheap red wine and fresh fruits.

Mix the wine with orange juice, lemon slices, and apple chunks. Add a splash of brandy for extra kick if you like.

Let the mixture sit in the fridge for a few hours to blend the flavors. Serve it over ice for a refreshing summer drink.

You can also find affordable bottled sangrias at stores. These ready-made options save time and still taste great.

Try different fruit combinations to create your own unique sangria recipe. It’s a fun way to experiment without spending much money.

14. Bellini

The Bellini is a simple yet elegant cocktail you can make at home. It combines Prosecco and peach puree for a fruity, sparkling drink.

To make a Bellini, pour chilled Prosecco into a champagne flute. Add peach puree and stir gently.

The ratio is usually 2 parts Prosecco to 1 part peach puree.

You can use store-bought peach puree or make your own by blending fresh peaches.

For a non-alcoholic version, swap the Prosecco for sparkling grape juice.

The Bellini is perfect for brunch or summer parties. It’s a refreshing and budget-friendly option that looks fancy without breaking the bank.

15. Tom Collins

The Tom Collins is a classic cheap drink you can easily make at home. You’ll need gin, lemon juice, sugar, and club soda.

Mix the gin, lemon juice, and sugar in a tall glass with ice.

Top it off with club soda and give it a quick stir. Garnish with a lemon slice and cherry if you like.

The refreshing taste comes from the mix of sour lemon and sweet sugar.

You can swap the gin for vodka to make a Vodka Collins. For a twist, try using different citrus juices or flavored syrups.

The Tom Collins is perfect for hot summer days or as a light cocktail option.

Understanding Cheap Drinks

Cheap drinks offer budget-friendly options for enjoying alcoholic beverages. They often use simple ingredients and mixers to keep costs down while still providing tasty options.

Defining What Makes a Drink Cheap

A cheap drink is usually made with lower-priced spirits or beer. These drinks often cost $5-8 at bars. At home, you can make them for even less.

Cheap drinks may use well liquors instead of top-shelf brands. They also tend to have fewer ingredients to keep costs low.

Popular cheap drinks include rum and Coke, vodka sodas, and beer. These drinks are easy to make and use common ingredients.

Some cheap drinks get creative with affordable mixers like juice or soda. This helps add flavor without raising the price too much.

Ingredients Typically Used in Affordable Beverages

Vodka is a common base for cheap drinks. It’s versatile and mixes well with many flavors.

Fruit juices like cranberry, orange, and grapefruit are affordable mixers. They add sweetness and volume to drinks.

Simple syrup is cheap to make at home. It sweetens drinks without costing much.

Soda water and cola are low-cost ways to add bubbles to drinks. They help stretch out the alcohol too.

Cheap beer is often used in drinks like boilermakers. You can also use it to make beer cocktails.

Lime juice adds a fresh taste to drinks without breaking the bank. A little goes a long way in many cocktails.

Exploring Popular Categories

Cheap drinks come in many varieties to suit different tastes and occasions. They range from classic cocktails to refreshing non-alcoholic options.

Alcoholic Versus Non-Alcoholic Options

Alcoholic cheap drinks often feature basic spirits mixed with common mixers. Vodka sodas, rum and cokes, and gin and tonics are popular choices. These use affordable liquors and readily available mixers.

For non-alcoholic options, iced teas, lemonades, and flavored sparkling waters offer great value. You can easily make these at home in large batches.

Mocktails like virgin mojitos or fruit spritzers are tasty alcohol-free choices when out.

Some bars offer happy hour specials on both types of drinks. This lets you enjoy discounted beverages regardless of your alcohol preference.

Seasonal Variations on a Budget

Changing seasons bring new cheap drink options.

In summer, fruity punches and sangrias are refreshing and cost-effective for groups. You can use inexpensive wines and add seasonal fruits for flavor.

Fall brings opportunities for warm drinks like spiked apple cider or pumpkin spice lattes. These can be made cheaply at home with basic ingredients and spices.

Winter calls for hot toddies or mulled wine, which use affordable liquors or wines.

Spring inspires light, floral drinks using herbs from your garden or affordable syrups.

Adapting drinks to use in-season ingredients helps keep costs down while offering variety throughout the year.