During college, we’re all either four things: tired, stressed, broke, or all of the above at the same time. One of the few things that most college students do to ease their stress is hanging out with friends on the weekend. IMHO, a little party can be a great way to cure a full week of anxiety. However, finding a great alcohol to bring to said party can be a stressor in and of itself. There are so many options in the store…and you definitely don’t want to be the person who brought the watered-down whisky with a weird name to the function. (IYKYK.) Good news—you’re in luck this weekend. Spoon University has found the 19 best cheap liquors that are actually delicious over ice or in a simple cocktail. Plus, all of our picks retail for $20 or less in most stores. Now that’s something to raise your glass to, right? Check out the cheapest liquors worth buying right now, bestie.
#SpoonTip: No matter what you’re drinking, make sure to always drink responsibly. The prices listed below all correspond to a 750ml bottle of each liquor.
- Kinky Pink Liqueur – $18
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Looking for an eye-catching and cost-effective vodka? Look no further than the Kinky Liqueur offerings. A personal fave includes Kinky Pink, which stars notes of mango, blood orange, and passion fruit. This tastes great as a shot or mixed with lemon-lime soda.
- Tanqueray London Dry Gin – $20
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When you drink a G&T, I promise you will feel like such an adult. If you’re not super into tonic and lime with your gin, You should mix your Tanqueray with some grapefruit juice. Trust me, it’s a perfect mix.
- DeKuyper Pucker Watermelon Schnapps – $11
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Brightly-colored watermelon schnapps is a must on my bar cart, TBH. Ideally, this is best served with soda water, vodka, and a lime wedge. It’s also the perfect addition to any margarita recipe.
- Absolut Vodka – $20
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Whether you pick up a bottle of Absolut Citron, Peach, Mango, Rainbow, or even Peppar (perfect for a Bloody Mary), you will be delighted by this smooth vodka experience that won’t break the bank.
- Fabrizia Limoncello – $19
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If you want to pretend like you’re vacationing in Italy and not cramming for a test that’s coming on Monday morning, you need to grab a bottle of Fabrizia Limoncello. Trust me when I say… a little goes a long way. Plus, this pairs well with some Prosecco and club soda for a delightful lemony spritz.
- New Amsterdam Vodka – $12
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Depending on where you buy your vodka, the price of a standard bottle of New Amsterdam will be $15 or less. If you opt for its peach flavor, mix it with Sprite. Plus, their popular pink lemonade-flavored vodka Pink Whitney, is delicious to drink as a shot, mixed with soda, and more, retailing for around $13.
- UV Blue – $10
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Being in college is hard. And after a long week of exams and papers, most students want to unwind with a night out with friends. Good thing that UV Blue makes it possible for many by only costing $10. You can mix it with almost any chaser you desire, such as tonic water, lemonade, Sprite, or even Gatorade.
- Malibu Rum – $14
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If you’re going to a university where most of the school year is freezing, you can jet off to sunny islands via a delicious and cost-effective Malibu drink. This option of cheapest liquors goes down smooth as a shot, pairs well with cola, and is best with pineapple juice. If you’re feeling fancy, you can even garnish with a cherry or fresh pineapple slice.
- Smirnoff – $15
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There’s no doubt that Smirnoff is classic cheap vodka, costing just around $15 for flavored and unflavored options. For me, I stick with the strawberry and vanilla flavors. It makes taking a shot taste a lot less cheap-tasting.
- Fireball – $15
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I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone drink Fireball *not* from the bottle. It’s one of those drinks that someone whips out randomly at a party and passes around the room. For around $15, Fireball should make an appearance at your next weekend party. Fireball mixed with cola, cream soda, apple cider, and more is divine.
- Jose Cuervo – $15
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If your bank account is struggling at $20 on a Friday night, I’d say you have to risk it to get the biscuit. Grab some $15 Jose Cuervo, limes, and salt, and prepare yourself for an interesting night.
- Agavales – $17
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Once again, you either love tequila or despise it. Either way, you can take this as a shot or make a fancy tequila cocktail for your evening.
- Dr. McGillicuddy’s – $15
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These varieties of the cheapest liquors cost about $15 and come in an array of flavors. If you grab the “Intense Mentholmint” flavor, you can make some “dirty Girl Scout” shots. Beware of its powers, Dr. McGillicuddy’s will get you real tipsy, real quick.
- Pinnacle – $13
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This is a vodka that isn’t going to hurt you the morning after too much, but it’s certainly not on the high-quality end. Ultimately, Pinnacle does its job and keeps some money in your pocket for that late-night drunchie. Sprite is always a good mixer, especially paired with the whipped flavor.
- Jim Beam Bourbon – $15
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Feeling like some bourbon tonight? Jim Beam and its myriad flavors, including honey, are perfect for any weekend night out. Drink it straight or mix it with cola.
- New Amsterdam Gin – $15
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Not only does New Amsterdam sell decent cheap vodka (above), but the brand also sells quality gin for about $15 a bottle. You can easily pair it with tonic water or ginger ale–and of course, don’t forget your lime.
- Captain Morgan Spiced Rum – $16
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Your wallet will thank you for buying this $16 rum. With every shot, the spiced rum makes a fire in your stomach. One of the more popular rums for college students, it easily mixes with Cherry Coke, Dr. Pepper, and is even yummy on the rocks.
- Bacardi Rum – $17
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For $15, this Bacardi rum mixes well with cola or fruit juice. Just be aware you might wake up the next morning with a major headache if you don’t pace yourself during the evening. Hydration is key!
- SVEDKA – $13
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SVEDKA is another cheap vodka that doesn’t taste as cheap as the price tag. Costing roughly $13, one of the highly loved flavors you should try ASAP is Mango Pineapple.
Regardless of which of these cheap liquors you decide to go with, just remember that your bank account will be thanking you later on. Cheers, y’all!
This article was published on March 24, 2024.