Cocktails at home for less than a pot at the pub? We’re working miracles over here.
Behind all our passionate raving about the best Martini upgrades and the creamiest cocktails in our collection, we know that making mixed drinks cam feel like a bit of a luxury. While we don’t need to remind you how expensive the world is right now, we do think it’s worth pointing out that not every cocktail has to stretch the budget – you can mix up some proper classics for less than $5 a pop. And while we love drinking a cocktail at a bar as much as the next person, it's not always in the budget.
Of course, not every cocktail is a bargain, which is why we’ve put together a wallet-friendly cheat sheet of the best drinks to mix up. Below, you’ll find six killer cocktails that each cost less than a fiver per serve. Saving money never tasted so good.
When Spanish locals want a refreshing red wine cocktail in the summer, they don’t make Sangria – they make Kalimotxo. Sangria is undoubtedly delightful with all its fruity frills, but Kalimotxo is simple, fresh and (importantly for us) really budget-friendly.
The recipe – which is just equal parts red wine and Coca-Cola – might sound a little iffy, but trust us (and the Spanish nation) when we tell you that it just works. The slightly astringent tannins and fruitiness of red wine marry up surprisingly well with the sweetness of Coke and, when combined with the fact that both ingredients are generally on the cheaper side, you can see why the Kalimotxo is a perfect cocktail (and did we mention it’s Lady Gaga’s fave?). Alternatively, you could go for the Tinto de Verano, which subs Coke for Sprite with the optional extra of sweet vermouth. Use any leftover money for a little tapas spread – some tinned fish, olives and good bread will do nicely.
Ingredients
Tempus Two Tempranillo: $2 per serve
Coca-Cola: 30c per serve
Total: $2.30 per serve
You don’t need us to tell you about the Espresso Martini – it’s the cocktail that unites us all, bridges morning coffee and evening drinks, and somehow manages to always be delicious, whether it’s mixed in a swanky cocktail bar or an RSL. It’s basically become our national cocktail.
Its consistency owes plenty to the ingredients, headlined by proper espresso coffee to give the cocktail richness, froth and plenty of caffeine. Espresso is really non-negotiable here but, considering how many people have benchtop espresso machines at home now, we don’t think it’s too much to ask. We’re also assuming that if you have an espresso machine, you also have coffee, so we’re not including that in the cost breakdown below. And if you’d rather make your own sugar syrup, you’ll shave a few more cents off the final total, too.
Ingredients
Kahlua: 79c per serve
Mishka Vodka: $2.73 per serve
Sugar syrup: 40c per serve
Total: $3.92 per serve
It doesn’t get much simpler than the Whisky Highball. While plenty of cocktails shoot for big flavour and use a backbar-worth of ingredients in the process, Whisky Highballs are clean, simple and ultra-fresh – and they only need whisky and soda water to do it, which is excellent news for your budget.
Whisky Highballs have found a following in Japan (which makes sense, considering the country’s fondness for clean flavour profiles), but you definitely don’t need to go out and buy a Japanese whisky here. The slight fruity sweetness of a classic blended Scotch (we’re going for Dewar’s) is great for both flavour and price.
Ingredients
Dewar’s: $3.57 per serve
Capi Soda Water: 96c per serve
Total: $4.53 per serve
The Aperol Spritz surely has to be the world’s favourite cocktail at this stage, right? In beer gardens and front bars, cocktail spots and buzzy restaurants, wine glasses topped up with bright orange Aperol Spritz will be there, too. The only problem is that the never-ending popularity of the zesty, bubbly Aperol Spritz means you’ll often pay a premium for the pleasure – and that can be hard to swallow.
Fortunately, Aperol Spritzes are dead simple and inexpensive to make at home, needing just Aperol, prosecco and soda – none of which should break the bank. Even better, if you make your Spritzes at home, you can spend any savings on your favourite aperitivo hour snacks. We love prosciutto, for what it’s worth.
Ingredients
Aperol: $2.72 per serve
Rewild Prosecco: $1.20 per serve
Schweppes Soda Water: 10c per serve
Total: $4.02 per serve
Forget about the Margarita – we reckon the Paloma has a case for being the best tequila cocktail going around. There’s something about the way the earthy, grassy sweetness of blanco tequila combines with zippy grapefruit and a splash of lime juice that is just magic. Plus, using grapefruit soda here gives the drink a really refreshing twist, which makes this cocktail a definite winner as a sunny-day sipper.
These two main ingredients are the only ones we’re counting here, and we’re using Espolon Blanco and Capi Grapefruit Soda. But lime juice is still non-negotiable. Grapefruit soda has a little zesty tartness on its own, but the lime brings a juicy acidity, so ideally squeeze it fresh. Otherwise, if you’ve got one of those little bottles of lime juice in the fridge, this is the time to use it.
Ingredients
Espolon Blanco Tequila: $4 per serve
Capi Pink Grapefruit Soda: 64c per serve
Total: $4.64 per serve
We know the Martini is endlessly tweakable, but this variation might be the most interesting yet. Usually, Martinis are short, strong and little more than two or three mouthfuls. Not the Martini Highball. Here, you’ve got the flavours of a Martini – herbaceous gin and aromatic vermouth – but in a package that’s similar to a Whisky Highball.
By lengthening the drink with soda water (and subbing dry vermouth for the slightly sweet bianco style), the Martini Highball ends up as a bubbly, fresh Martini twist that we really didn’t know we needed. And, like the classic, it’s still open to interpretation, so add that olive brine and make it dirty, if that’s your thing.
Ingredients
Archie Rose Dry Gin: $3.37 per serve
Martini Bianco Vermouth: 42c per serve
Schweppes Soda Water: 30c per serve
Total: $4.09 per serve
