Okay, so I’ve been on this quest lately to find decent booze that doesn’t cost a fortune. You know, something you can enjoy without feeling like you just blew your whole paycheck. I tried a few things, documented the whole messy journey, and here’s how it went down:
The Brainstorming Phase
First, I brainstormed. What did I even like? I’m not a huge beer person, and fancy cocktails are usually out of my budget. So, I’m thinking maybe some basic liquors and mixers? Or maybe those pre-mixed things in cans? I’ve had some good ones and some… not-so-good ones.

The Shopping Trip
Next, I hit the liquor store. It’s always a bit overwhelming, right? So many bottles, so many labels. I grabbed a few things that looked promising and weren’t crazy expensive:
- A bottle of decent-but-not-top-shelf vodka.
- Some flavored sparkling water.
- A six-pack of those hard seltzers that everyone’s been talking about.
- A cheap bottle of wine – hey, you never know.
The Taste Test (The Fun Part…Mostly)
This is where things got interesting…and maybe a little blurry. I started with the vodka and sparkling water. Pretty simple, pretty classic. I added a squeeze of lime, because, why not? It was actually good! Refreshing, not too strong, and definitely easy on the wallet.
Next up, the hard seltzers. These were a mixed bag. One flavor was amazing – like, seriously delicious. Another one tasted kinda like cough syrup. Note to self: read the reviews before buying next time.
Finally, the cheap wine. Okay, let’s be real, it wasn’t amazing. But, it wasn’t terrible either! For the price, I’d say it was a win. Especially if you’re just having a casual night in with friends, this could do the trick.
The Verdict
So, after all this “research,” what did I learn? You can find good, cheap alcoholic beverages. It might take a little trial and error, and you might have a few misses along the way. But there are definitely some gems out there.
My biggest takeaway? Keep it simple. Basic spirits with simple mixers can be surprisingly good. And don’t be afraid to try those pre-mixed drinks – just maybe do a little research first to avoid the cough-syrup-flavored ones. Cheers to finding the perfect drink that fits your bugdet!