Jazz up your at-home tipples with these cost-conscious cocktails
CHEERS to the bank holiday. Although we’re finally allowed out, strict booking systems could mean time at the bar is limited.
So, if you need a few ‘pre-drinks’ — or you carry on socialising back at base — why not jazz up your at-home tipples?
Don’t fork out, simply raid your cupboards to make these cost-conscious cocktails.
GROUND-BREAKING: If you have a coffee machine, coffee grounds or instant granules, you can easily whip up a DIY espresso Martini. Shake one part strong coffee with two parts vodka and one part coffee liqueur (I bet there’s an old bottle hanging about at the back of the cupboard).
LOW CAL: Low in calories and thirst-quenching, hard seltzers are all the rage at the moment — and you can create a homemade version. Take a measure of a clear spirit like vodka or gin, a handful of fresh or frozen berries and a shot of sweet syrup. Shake over ice and pour over fizzy water or lemonade. Swap sweet syrup like agave, £2.50 at Tesco, for a DIY version using half a cup of water and half a cup of honey, dissolved together on the hob and cooled.
ICE ONE: If you prefer simple drinks, you can still add that upmarket cocktail bar touch. Just add some of your favourite herbs to your ice tray to make tasty, impressive-looking ice cubes. This works particularly well served with gins and it adds to the flavour. A favourite of mine is rosemary — great in a G&T.
MOCK TEST: If you’re staying off the booze, whip up money-saving mock mojitos using just lemonade, cucumber, frozen raspberries and mint. Chop the cucumber and mint and pop into 200ml of boiling water on the hob.
Turn the heat off and leave for two minutes then add a handful of frozen raspberries. Once softer, slightly crush them with the back of a spoon before straining the mixture (the mix will keep in the fridge for around a day). When it comes to serving, pour around 40ml of your mix into a tall glass with ice and top up with lemonade. Lovely.
- Prices correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.
Deal of the day
HALF price pick ’n’ mix is back at Wilko until June 3. Buy an XL cup and split it between kids, usually £4, now £2.
SAVE: up to £2
Cheap treat
ENJOY a pack of four Classic Chocolate Magnums from Sainsbury’s. The price has been reduced from the usual £3.20 to £2.50.
SAVE: 70p
What's new
ASDA has launched an epic toy sale, with up to 30 per cent off some of its most popular toys.
The sale is running until June 14 and features big name brands including Lego, Peppa Pig, Sylvanian Families and PAW Patrol, as well as Asda’s own range.
Top swap
CHANEL’S Bleu De Chanel, £92, at Boots would make a brilliant Father’s Day gift, but the Artiscent Atelier EDP Men Vetiver Arome, at Superdrug for £7.99, is more affordable.
SAVE: £84.01
Giselle's little helper
THE popular Aldi faux stone firepit is back in stock.
It’s £59.99 and also doubles up as a barbecue – perfect for summer parties.
It’s only available online and is limited to one per customer.
Shop and save
DODGE showers with the Apromo stroller raincover, now £8.87, down from £14.79 at hellobabydirect.com as part of their spring sale.
SAVE: £5.92
Hot right now
YOU can get £10 back this weekend when you spend £10+ on beauty products at Lookfantastic via Topcashback.co.uk.
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