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

Mixed drinks

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

Mixed drinks

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

Mixed drinks

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

Mixed drinks

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

Mixed drinks

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

Mixed drinks

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

Mixed drinks

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

Mixed drinks

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

Mixed drinks

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

Mixed drinks

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.