It is one of the simplest and most popular cocktails in the world, but there is more to creating the...
Budget Cocktails
Jump to
- Martini
- Bellini
- Black Russian
- Gin and Tonic
- Rum and Coke
- Kir Royale
- Lemon Drop Martini
- Malibu Apple Juice
- Poor Man’s Dark and Stormy
- Snakebite
Now that the Thanksgiving turkey has all been eaten, the Christmas crackers have all been pulled, and the New Year’s celebrations are over, it is easy to get caught up in the misery that is January. Indeed, the 26th January 2015 is known as Blue Monday: the most depressing day of the year.
Thanks to blowing our budgets at the end of last year, eating our weight in food, and downing far too many drinks, January can be a tough month to get through. The last Monday before payday is when we feel the pinch the most. Luckily, I have put together a list of cheap and easy cocktails that you can make to cheer yourself up, without worrying about the pennies. The thing that they all have in common is that they only need a few ingredients.
Martini
Put 60ml gin and 10ml vermouth into a mixer glass. Stir with ice and then strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with an olive. This drink can be as cheap or expensive as you choose, depending on the quality of the gin used.
Bellini
Pour 50ml peach juice into a cocktail glass and top up with sparkling wine. Of course, it tastes better with champagne, but a cheap bottle of fizz will do till payday.
Black Russian
Have a lowball glass ready loaded with ice. Pour 50ml vodka and 25ml Kahlua over the top. Top up with cheap cola to make the drink last a bit longer.
Gin and Tonic
Everyone’s Nan’s favorite drink. One shot of gin topped up with tonic water and garnished with either lemon or lime. If you can’t stand cheap gin, swap it for vodka.
Rum and Coke
Rum is one of the cheapest spirits available. A shot of rum topped up with cheap cola and smartened up with a lime wedge is sure to make you feel better about your empty wallet.
Kir Royale
Technically this drink should be made with champagne. But it is January. So substitute the bubbles for some cheap, dry white wine. Add a shot of crème de cassis to give it a more interesting flavor.
Lemon Drop Martini
The recipe on this website uses triple sec, but you are poor, remember! Instead, put 50ml vodka, 50ml lemon juice and a tablespoon of sugar in a shaker and mix together. Pour into a martini glass and top up with cheap lemonade.
Malibu Apple Juice
Fill a tall glass with ice. Add a shot of Malibu and top up with apple juice. A wedge of apple finishes this drink off nicely. It won’t get you very drunk but it will sweeten your sour mood.
Poor Man’s Dark and Stormy
This drink is made with a shot of rum, a dash of lime juice and is topped up with ginger ale. After pay day you can substitute the ale for ginger beer.
Snakebite
If you are really struggling this month, stick to the cheapest larger and cider you can find and mix them in equal parts. If you can stretch to a blackcurrant cordial, do it. It will help mask the cheap flavor.
Pardon the interruption
Did you know that you can become a member for free, taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. You can save your My Bar ingredients, make tasting notes, have personalised Tried and Want to try lists and more.
Filed with tags
More to explore
Recognised by many as the most laid-back country in the world, dreams of Jamaica often involve sun,...
With most classic cocktails, it is possible to track down the origins of the recipe. Bartenders love...
Tag cloud
Explore more with our randomised tag cloud.
-
beverage history
-
Sour Cocktails
-
rocks glass
-
long island iced tea
-
olives
-
Dublin
-
Southern United States
-
sustainable production
-
Happy Hour
-
Drink History
-
citrus juicer
-
Gimlet
-
events
-
Sangria
-
hospitality
-
Puerto Rico
-
summer cocktails
-
Inspiration
-
BBQ
-
prohibition era cocktails
Bartender's top tip
Related posts
The History of the Shirley Temple
In a bid to encourage those that have so far managed to complete two weeks of Dry January, we are taking a look back at the classic mocktail inspired by a child movie star. The Shirley Temple has a ri... read more
The History of Tequila
We couldn’t let National Margarita Day (20th February) pass us by without paying homage to the cocktail’s most important ingredient: Tequila. A guilty pleasure of binge drinkers everywhere, this fiery... read more
The History of the White Lady
The White Lady cocktail, with its ethereal name and equally enchanting appearance, has retained its elegance and timeless appeal throughout its history. The current classic formulation includes Cointr... read more
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Get tips straight into your inbox.
Upgrade your mixology
Become a member for free taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. Or become a premium member to rise to cocktail greatness.
- Save your bar forever
- Access to our Cocktail Creator, allowing you to create your own wonderful concoctions.
- Create personalised cocktail menus for all your events, bars or parties
- Save cocktails to personalised 'Tried' and 'Want to try' lists
- Create and record tasting notes on cocktails
- Create lists of cocktails to share with friends and family
- A personalised MyBar URL, allowing you to share everything you can make with friends
- And much more ... (what to buy next, measurement choices, search personalisation...)
Create your own cocktail menu!
Use our interactive cocktail menu creator for free, and create wonderful looking cocktail menus for your next party, gathering or bar.
Great looking pre-built designed themes, group your cocktails, choose what to show on them and a host more options.
Get creating