You know those days when you dig into your pockets and pull out the last of your notes — a lonely 500 or even less — and your friends look at you worriedly, for they are in no better state and you had a whole night of drinking planned? Fret not. You can still make something out of a night on a slim budget. Read on and learn. Just one word, be cool and drink responsibly.
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Rum
Friends, Calcuttans and broke college kids. When times are hard, remember your old friend Old Monk. The bottle that has made even the mightiest swirl and swim in their own consciousness and made many a night merry.
If you’re looking for something cheaper and harsher, then go for a bottle of McDowell’s No1 Rum, and if you can spare a bit more then Jolly Roger Dark Rum. Both will help you put your swag on in no time!
How to max it: Add substantial quantities of Coke and water, so that you can avoid that nasty hangover the morning after. Also add a pinch of lime to add flavour. #bestdrinkever
Pocket pinch: Around Rs 350 for Old Monk (litre), Rs 340 for McDowell (litre) and Rs 360 for Jolly Roger (litre).
Whisky
For those bold warriors who can hold their drink, and their wallet, try Officer’s Choice or Imperial Blue. People may fear these, but show us a drink that can beat them when it comes to price and effect! Ignore the taste and welcome the high — that’s the #tagline.
How to max it: Drink it with just water and ice, which will certainly ensure no hangover the next day, but to make it taste nicer, you could add some Pepsi, Thums-Up or Coke. With the right amount of water, you get a drink that could possibly make even Barney Stinson proud!
Pocket pinch: Rs 380 (litre) for Officers Choice, Rs 440 (litre) for Imperial Blue.
Beer
Nothing like a bottle of beer and your best buds to drown your sorrows in. The kind of friend that never points out that sorrow knows how to swim. Our best bet is Kalyani Black Label. Another terror is Haywards 5000. A bottle of this and you’ll be laughing at yourself for an hour. Another one would be Palone, which is available in cans. The beauty of all this? Well within your budget and gives you the best kind of buzz.
How to max it: All of these beers have glycerine in them, so what one has to do is overturn the bottle into a small bowl to take it out, after which it will not only taste lighter, but better!
Pocket pinch: Rs 85 for Haywards 5000,
Rs 70 for Black Label Strong,
Rs 67 for Palone. All prices for 650ml.
Gin
Gin is classy and believe it or not, you get it cheap too. Pick up a bottle of Blue Riband and you’ve got yourself a posh drink well within your budget, with some extra to spare for the tonic water. And perhaps some chips too.
How to max it: Add the right proportions of gin and tonic water and add some lime for flavour. Time to play some jazz!
Pocket pinch:
Rs 320 for 750ml of Blue Riband.
For light drinkers
Wine
This wine is not only delicious, it is wonderfully cheap by wine standards. This is the Sula Port Wine 1000 from Nashik and trust us, two glasses of this and you’ll feel your world spinning around your axis. It’s great for any kind of gathering and a favourite with the family too!
Pocket pinch: Sula Port Wine 1000 Rs 185
Breezer
For all those who wish to drink but not consume “hard liquor”, the Breezer is the best bet. Available in a range of flavours from Jamaican Passion to Cranberry to Lime, a bottle of Bacardi Breezer is cost-effective and tastes supreme. It keeps you smiling as it tastes so fruity and nice and leaves enough in your wallet for round two!
Pocket pinch: Rs 65 for 275ml.
Vodka
Whether for shots or cocktails, vodka is the drink to start the party with. White Mischief is good and reasonable. Now THIS is going to have you slurring in no time.
How to max it: Get some lime and chilli from the kitchen and add these to your vodka and a fizzy soft drink like Sprite or Limca. Add some water too. It’s yum, and gives the bang for the buck. You could also add some cranberry juice and soda. Everything tastes better with cranberry juice in it!
Pocket pinch: Rs 375 for a litre of White Mischief
(Prices as per last week of July)
city light (on the pocket)
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The cheapest drink + cocktail at five popular nightclubs @Plush
Rs 125-plus: Royal Stag, Old Monk (30ml)
Rs 425-plus: Hot Lips, Sex on the Beach @Nocturne
Rs 125-plus: Smirnoff (30ml)
Rs 295-plus: Bloody Mary, Tom Collins @Shisha
Rs 225: Bacardi White Rum (30ml)
Rs 475: Mojito, Caprioska @Underground
Rs 350-plus: Absolut (60ml)
Rs 400-plus: Bloody Mary, Screwdriver @Roxy
Rs 275-plus: Kingfisher pint
Rs 600: Manhattan
The cheapest drink + cocktail at five popular nightclubs @Plush
Rs 125-plus: Royal Stag, Old Monk (30ml)
Rs 425-plus: Hot Lips, Sex on the Beach @Nocturne
Rs 125-plus: Smirnoff (30ml)
Rs 295-plus: Bloody Mary, Tom Collins @Shisha
Rs 225: Bacardi White Rum (30ml)
Rs 475: Mojito, Caprioska @Underground
Rs 350-plus: Absolut (60ml)
Rs 400-plus: Bloody Mary, Screwdriver @Roxy
Rs 275-plus: Kingfisher pint
Rs 600: Manhattan
Text: Sanjana Ray
