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The first time you take a swig from your Solo cup of warm PBR and think "I deserve better" is a coming-of-age moment. It's a turning point that marks a level of maturity and self-awareness previously unknown to you ... a bar mitzvah of sorts. Unfortunately, unlike bar mitzvahs, a newfound desire to drink quality alcohol doesn't bring loads of cash with it.
But fear not, friends — you don't have to blow your rent money on top-shelf liquor or craft beer to enjoy tossing a few back. With your meager budget in mind, we've rounded up some genius tricks for making cheap alcohol taste better. Two Buck Chuck, well liquor and light beer can benefit from these easy tweaks.
1. Infuse low-quality booze.
The best way to improve bottom-shelf liquor is to mask the flavor. Infusing cheap vodka with candy adds sweetness to mellow the harsh flavor — try these genius Pink Starburst Cosmos or make Gummy Bear Sangria for your next party. And don't forget: Sangria never fails. Our Rainbow Sangria and Fireball Sangria are proof.
2. Make your own wine coolers.
Treat inexpensive wine as a base, and you can completely transform it into a refreshing drink. Opt for a white wine or rosé that will meld well with other flavors. Combine equal parts wine and soda to add some fizz factor (club soda, seltzer or tonic are great), then mix in a bit of flavored liqueur — think fruity Schnapps, Pucker or Chambord. Add the liqueur to your taste and serve the concoction over ice with a fresh fruit garnish, and drink with your pinky out if you're feeling fancy.
3. Aerate your wine — no decanter required.
If you're buying vino for under $10, you probably don't have a fancy decanter lying around anyway, so use what you've got! Pour a bottle of low-brow wine into your blender and blend for about 30 seconds. Let the foam settle, then drink. This does the job of opening the wine up to oxygen to settle the tannins, which can give it a bitter taste.
4. Put your Brita to work.
Cheap vodka is easy to identify for its eye-watering scent and total lack of drinkability. If you're limited to the rough stuff, try putting it through a Brita filter three to five times, then chill it. The filter is meant to remove organic impurities from water, so the idea is that it can do the same with liquor so it goes down easier. It's probably best to use the pitcher solely for this purpose from now on, unless you enjoy a hint of vodka flavor in your water.
5. Upcycle frat-party beer.
Even offensive swill like PBR and Corona can be rescued with the addition of some clever ingredients. Create tasty beer cocktails by pairing your brew of choice with complimentary juices or liqueurs — wheat beer plays nicely with citrus fruits like grapefruit while Mexican beer can stand up to the savory flavors of tomato and hot sauce.
6. Boost cheap wine with bubbles.
If the SodaStream wasn't already your favorite kitchen gadget, it will be now. Cheap white wine or rosé that leaves something to be desired will suddenly feel fancy with a bit or carbonation. Fill a SodaStream bottle as you would with water (don't go over the line!) and add a few pumps of fizz. The bubbles will makes the wine seem more aromatic and taste fresher. You might even think you're drinking Champagne!
7. Blend it into a frozen drink.
When all else fails, distract everyone by serving sad booze in a fun way. Whip up a batch of icy cocktails and your friends will be more concerned with brain freeze that any lingering hint of Smirnoff. Crowd-pleasers like colorful Skittles Vodka Slushies or Frozen Sangria Margaritas will get any party started.
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