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Here are the top cheap drinks to make at home! These 2 and 3 ingredient cocktails are legit mixed drinks that don’t break the bank.
Looking for budget friendly cocktails? Don’t worry: you don’t have to break the bank to drink classy! Turns out, some of the best classic cocktails are 2 and 3 ingredient drinks that are deliciously simple to mix up in the comfort of your own home. And guess what? You don’t even have to tip your bartender!
Here are the best cheap drinks to make on a budget! Classics from the Old Fashioned to the daiquiri and gimlet are all simple and inexpensive to make. Keep in mind: we haven’t set an exact price for each drink because liquor price varies greatly based on quality. Buy what you can afford and let the drink do the rest! Let’s get mixing.
And now…the best cheap drinks to make on a budget!
The ultimate cheap drink? The Cuba Libre. This Cuban cocktail has just 3 ingredients: lime, cola and rum. Perhaps it looks and sounds similar to a drink you know? Yes, this famous Cuban drink is nearly a Rum and Coke…but there are a few subtle differences that make it a distinct drink! This classic cocktail has over 100 years of history and a refreshing, nuanced flavor. Or try one of the variations below!
Variations: Jack and coke, Whiskey and coke, Gin and coke, Tequila and coke, Crown and coke or Vodka and coke
Ingredients: Rum, cola, lime
This cheap drink is bubbly, tangy, looks impressive, and goes down easy. Meet the classic Moscow mule! This drink was invented in the 1940’s, but it’s having a moment now, too. It’s got only 3 ingredients and takes 3 minutes to make: perfect for parties or a lazy evening on the patio. Here’s how to make this refreshing vodka cocktail: or try one of the variations below based on what liquor you have on hand!
Variations: Mexican Mule, Kentucky Mule, Gin Gin Mule, Irish Mule, or Mezcal Mule
Ingredients: Vodka, ginger beer, lime
Here’s one of the easiest cheap cocktails ever: the Cap Codder, aka the vodka cranberry! It’s got only a handful of ingredients and it tastes tart and refreshing. Even better (or worse?), it goes down easy. The flavor is nicely balanced so that the alcohol is not too strong. Try one of the variations below with other fruit juices!
Variations: Sea Breeze, Bay Breeze, Madras
Ingredients: Vodka, cranberry juice (optional simple syrup)
What’s more refreshing than a gin and tonic? Its crisp, botanical flavor is straightforward but at the same time intriguing: a feat using only 2 ingredients! It’s no wonder that this is one of the world’s popular cocktails and one of our favorite cheap drinks. We’ve researched to gather a few tips about making the perfect gin and tonic.
Ingredients: Gin, tonic water
Just 3 ingredients make up this cheap drink: the Dark and Stormy! This classic rum cocktail has quite the reputation…because it’s just that good. Each ingredient has lots of personality: the rich, earthy dark rum, with vanilla and brown sugar notes. Add to that spicy ginger beer, fruity and filled with effervescent bubbles. Top it off with a squeeze of tangy lime, and there’s not much that’s better.
Ingredients: Dark rum, ginger beer, lime
Ready for one of the best easy classic cocktail recipes that's also a cheap drink? The classic daiquiri. No, it’s not frozen like what became popular in the 1990’s. It’s a classic that goes back hundreds of years that features 3 ingredients: rum, lime, and simple syrup. It sounds simple, but the balance of each element is pure perfection!
Variations: Strawberry Daiquiri or Lime Frozen Daiquiri
Ingredients: White rum, lime juice, simple syrup
The Old Fashioned is barely a cocktail at all: just lightly sweetened booze seasoned with bitters. But it’s become one of the most famous cocktails there is: possibly because it’s the oldest. This cheap drink dates back to the early 1800’s, before the words classic and cocktail were even said next to each other. Of course, the budget for this drink depends on your whiskey!
Variation: Wisconsin Old Fashioned
Ingredients: Whiskey, cocktail bitters, sugar cube
Looking for a refreshing cheap drink that goes down easy? Try the vodka tonic! This variation on the Gin & Tonic is less about the booze and more about citrusy bubbles. Gin is botanical and booze forward, but vodka melds right into the tonic water. It makes for a drink where you might not be able to taste the alcohol at all (so beware!).
Variation: Whiskey Highball
Ingredients: Vodka, tonic water, lemon, lime
Here’s a cheap drink that takes just 2 minutes to make and hits the spot in any season: the White Russian! This cocktail mixes vodka with coffee liqueur and cream in a decadently creamy, searingly sweet beverage. Perhaps you know it from the 1990’s movie The Big Lebowski, but this drink has been around since the 1950’s. It’s a total treat, and couldn’t be easier to make.
Variation: Black Russian (even cheaper!)
Ingredients: Vodka, Kahlua, heavy cream or milk
Here’s a classic cocktail that is super refreshing and takes only 5 minutes to whip up: the gimlet! Not only is the gimlet simple to make, it’s the perfect balance of sweet and tart with the botanical flavor of gin. This retro cocktail is refreshingly delicious and one of our top cheap drinks.
Variations: Vodka Gimlet, French Gimlet
Ingredients: Gin, lime, simple syrup
Here’s a cheap drink that’s greater than the sum of its parts: the Kalimotxo! Also known as the Calimocho, this Spanish drink has a sophisticated flavor but it’s only two ingredients: red wine and coke! The dry wine balances the sweet cola perfectly, making this Basque country cocktail taste almost like sangria or a Spanish vermouth. It’s sweetly earthy with caramel notes, the ideal laid back drink for sipping on over ice with friends or as a night cap.
Ingredients: Dry red wine, cola
Last up in our cheap drinks: a citrus cocktail with a salted rim that’s not a margarita. Enter, the Salty Dog! This cocktail’s got a unique name and a beautiful pale pink color. It’s really not anything like a margarita, aside from that salt rim! It’s tangy and refreshing, perfect as a brunch drink or for happy hour. It’s got a light summery vibe, but it works in winter when citrus abounds.
Variations: Greyhound Cocktail
Ingredients: Grapefruit juice, gin, simple syrup
Money saving tips for cocktail equipment!
Don’t have all the tools for making cocktails? No problem. You don’t need to buy anything to make cheap drinks at home! Yes, it’s a little easier with the right tools. But here’s what you can use that you probably already have on hand:
- No cocktail shaker? Use a covered jar. All you need is a mason jar with a cover. Throw in the ice and shake! Then strain out the drink using a fine mesh strainer (or poke a hole in the cover — just make sure to cover it when you shake!).
- No cocktail muddler? Use a wooden spoon. Most of the cheap drinks above don’t require muddling. But if you need to muddle citrus or herbs: use a wooden spoon instead! No need for a professional muddler.
Budget friendly simple syrup: make your own
Want the cheapest way to get ahold of simple syrup? Make your own! Yes, it’s so simple (ha!) to make simple syrup for ultra cheap drinks: it only takes 5 minutes and a bit of sugar. Go to How to Make Simple Syrup or follow these steps:
- Place equal parts sugar and water in a saucepan. Usually we use ½ cup sugar and ½ cup water.
- Heat over medium and whisk until the sugar dissolves, about 1 to 2 minutes. Resist the urge to simmer! All you want is to dissolve the sugar.
- Cool to room temperature. That’s it: you’re done!
Best Cheap Drinks: Cuba Libre & More!
Here are the top cheap drinks to make at home! These 2 and 3 ingredient cocktails are legit mixed drinks that don’t break the bank.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 2 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: Stirred
- Cuisine: Cocktails
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 2 ounces (¼ cup) aged rum
- 3 ounces (6 tablespoons) cola
- 2 lime wedges
- Ice, for serving (try clear ice!)
Instructions
- Add the lime wedges to a highball glass and gently muddle them with a cocktail muddler or wooden spoon to release their juices.
- Add the rum and ice and stir to combine. Top with the cola.
More cocktails
Looking for more cocktails outside of these cheap drinks? Here are some more of our favorite cocktail recipes:
- 30 Great Cocktail Recipes You Should Know The high hitters! Our favorites.
- 15 Popular Classic Cocktails to Try These top drinks are solid classics.
- Try our recipes with the big 5: Great Whiskey Cocktails, Best Vodka Cocktails, Best Gin Cocktails, Top Tequila Cocktails and Best Rum Cocktails.
- Browse them all: 200+ Popular Cocktail Recipes!
