‘Tis the season for kicking back at your local park or a friend’s barbeque. It’s also a time for the freedom to get a little tipsy with friends on a Tuesday without the guilt of upcoming essays and quizzes looming over you. That being said, one may still experience a slight moral dilemma while ordering $14 cocktails at a bar you paid $20 to get into while earning minimum wage. The following cocktail recipes are ideas for tasty and relatively inexpensive drinks that are fun to make and enjoy.

If you like tequila…

Try a Tequila Mule! This cocktail substitutes tequila in the popular vodka-based drink, the Moscow Mule. In a glass with tons of ice, combine 2 shots of tequila with half a cup of ginger beer. Top it off with the juice of half a lime, or to taste.  

If you like rum…

If you like Pina Coladas and getting caught in the rain, this is the thrifty substitute for you. A deliciously sweet ratio of ginger ale to pineapple juice to rum is 4:4:1. This is the kind of cocktail that can easily be prepared as a pitcher to share with housemates before going out!

If you like vodka…

Have a drink with an adorable name and enjoy a Lemon Drop. This drink requires an orange-based liqueur such as Curacao, Grand Marnier or triple sec. These may sound intimidating but they can cost as little as $13 per litre. Combine a shot of the liqueur of your choice with two shots of vodka. To sweeten, heat up a shot of lemon juice and dissolve a packet of sugar. Allow this mixture to cool in the fridge, then add it to the alcohol. This drink can be enjoyed at room temperature, or on the rocks.  

If you like whiskey…

All this recipe requires is your favourite type of whiskey, a sweetener, and the tea you forgot you had in your kitchen. Brew a strong cup of tea, preferably black or green tea which works best for hard iced tea. Stir in your sweetener of choice, for example, a tablespoon of honey or sugar. Allow the mixture to cool in the freezer for about 10 minutes. Add a large handful of ice and a shot and a half of whiskey. Finish it off with some lemon juice and drink up!

If you like gin…

Ever wondered what a martini tastes like? They’re pretty gross, to be honest, no matter how cool Sean Connery looks while sipping them. Typically, martinis are made with vermouth, a slightly sweet and strong wine that is surprisingly inexpensive. Try combining one shot of gin, one shot of vermouth and half a cup of lemonade on ice for a deliciously juvenile take on this classic beverage.  

Image sourced from https://www.emilyluxton.co.uk/wanderlust/summer-cocktails