Top tips for cheap – but by no means nasty – drinks.
- Use cheap but fresh, young Pinot Grigio or Soave, to make into spritzers with lemon and lime slices and sparkling water. Or try with some easy-going rosé.
- Make buck’s fizz with ordinary Cava, for around a fiver, and decent orange juice. You definitely don’t need Champagne for this drink.
- Add a dash of storecupboard cordial, such as elderflower or ginger and lemongrass, to pep up long, basic vodka or gin-based drinks.
- Cool ginger ale added to shots of blended Scotch whisky is a cheap but warming drink.
- Try cocktails based on affordable vermouth – see our Dry Manhattan recipe.
- Invest in a bottle of crème de cassis or crème de mûre and use these fruity liqueurs to make up loads of sparkling drinks using affordable dry fizz.
- For a delicious party drink that tastes just like kir royale, mix together 6 bottles Merrydown Vintage Dry Cider, 1 bottle gin and ¼ bottle crème de cassis in large jugs with plenty of ice. Serves 20 thirsty guests.