Going to the bars can be quite the expensive excursion. Mixed drinks are way overpriced and you know darn well that there is no way it actually costs anywhere near what you’re paying to make.
But how much are you really wasting away on insanely priced mixed drinks? See for yourself (Spoiler: it’s not pretty).
Note: Prices are based off of averages and common grocery stores. The cost of ice was not included.
Long Island Iced Tea – Average price $9
Photo by Daniel Schuleman
How much it costs to make this mixed drink at home:
- 0.5 oz. tequila – $0.40
- 0.5 oz. vodka – $0.25
- 0.5 oz. rum – $0.25
- 0.5 oz. triple sec – $0.20
- 0.5 oz. gin – $0.20
- 1.5 oz. sweet and sour – $0.12
- 3 oz. cola – $0.25
Total: $1.67
Savings: $7.33
Jack and Coke – Average price $6
Photo by Margaret Weinberg
How much it costs to make this mixed drink at home:
- 1 oz. Jack Daniels – $1.00
- 3 oz. cola – $0.25
Total: $1.25
Savings: $4.75
Bloody Mary – Average price $8
Photo by Hannah Lin
How much it costs to make this mixed drink at home:
- 2 oz. vodka – $1.00
- 4 oz. tomato juice -$0.12
- 1 lemon wedge – $0.08
- 1 lime wedge – $0.08
- 2 dashes Tabasco sauce & Worcestershire sauce – $0.02
- 2 tsp. horseradish – $0.07
- 1 pinch celery salt, pepper, and paprika – $0.01
Total: $1.38
Savings: $6.62
It looks intimidating, but it’s totally doable. Just follow this recipe.
Margarita – Average price $8
Photo by Katherine Richter
How much it cost to make this mixed drink at home:
- 1 oz. tequila – $0.80
- 4 oz. margarita mix – $0.40
Total: $1.20
Savings: $6.80
Get a classic margarita recipe here.
Fuzzy Navel – Average price $7
Photo by Kai Huang
How much it cost to make this mixed drink at home:
- 3 oz. peach schnapps – $1.20
- 3 oz. OJ – $0.04
Total: $1.24
Savings: $6.76
Pina Colada – Average price $8
Photo by Paul Trebor
How much it cost to make this mixed drink at home:
- 1.5 oz. white rum – $1.00
- 2 oz. coconut milk – $0.12
- 2 oz. pineapple juice – $0.12
Total: $1.24
Savings: $6.76
Get headed to this beach with this recipe (plus more!).
Cosmopolitan – Average price $8
Photo by Kim Vallee
How much it cost to make this mixed drink at home:
- 1.5 oz. vodka – $0.75
- 0.5 oz. triple sec – $0.20
- 1 tsp. lime juice – $0.02
- 1.5 oz. cranberry juice – $0.06
Total: $1.03
Savings: $6.97
Use that cash to buy some extra groceries. Perhaps collect some Peeps to make this cosmo that proves that marshmallow-y goodness is acceptable all year round.
Old Fashioned – Average price $7
Photo by Ceci Leng
How much it cost to make this mixed drink at home:
- 2 oz. whisky/bourbon – $0.88
- 2 tsp. simple syrup – $0.01
- 2 dashes bitters – $0.10
- 1 tsp. water – $0.00
- 1 slice orange – $0.08
- 1 cherry – $0.05
Total: $1.12
Savings: $5.88
Follow this recipe if you want to get straight to the (no) chaser.
Sex on the Beach – Average price $8
Photo by Keni Lin
How much it cost to make this mixed drink at home:
- 1 oz. vodka – $0.50
- 0.5 oz. peach schnapps – $0.20
- 1 oz. OJ – $0.02
- 1 oz. cranberry juice – $0.04
Total: $0.76
Savings: $7.24
Gin and Tonic – Average price $5
Photo by Stephanie DeVaux
How much it cost to make this mixed drink at home:
- 2 oz. gin – $0.80
- 4 oz. tonic water – $0.30
Total: $1.10
Savings: $3.90
Throw in some blackberries and sugar and you have yourself a Blackberry Gin Fizz.
After awhile, these numbers add up. Save yourself some money and start whipping up your own concoctions. Once you get good, you can start creating your own recipes.