12 Cheap Drinks to Try Now

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