Give A Little, Take A Little: Fresh Fruit, Quality Spirit

Despite all of the recession talk and many people struggling there are upsides to the whole mess. I heard this week that some states are reporting higher alcohol sales than previous years and I've seen evidence of it in my own community. More people are spending their money on "take home drinks" for a good reason, the money lasts longer than at a bar.

That said, when we stop by the liquor store for something to mix up we don't have to skimp on quality as much as we may think. Where that $15 bottle of tequila or $8 bottle of vodka may have a good looking price tag, the taste is likely to reflect it. Sure there are decent brands in a decent price range (my picks for vodkas and gins), but more often than not you're going to be disappointed.

This brings me to the point that you can upgrade your spirit selection but save a bit on the mixers and simplify the drinks. Take this trio of drinks - the Patron Grapefruit, Patron Pineapple and Patron Pomegranate - from Patron for instance. In each of them you can save money by buying fresh produce, juicing it yourself and mixing it with a premium tequila. The result is a refreshing, tall drink that lasts awhile, tastes like a high-class cocktail and doesn't lead to a sweltering headache the next day.

It's a give and take situation and there are many more options like this available. The choices we make can be that simple and we can still fully appreciate what we're drinking without spending a fortune.

10 Cheap Drinks to Make at Home and Save Money