Macaw Daily

All this talk about the recession coming to an end makes me say: My fucking ass it is! (Pardon the blue nature of the language you’ll find here on Macaw Daily, but that’s how we roll here.)

Rant and aside over, I consulted with some friends to come up with a few ways to numb the economic woes many of us are enduring. Here’s our collective wisdom.

1. Whiskey and Water

[Photo credit: Flickr user Jesper Egelund]

Southerners introduced me to a way of making bottles of sweet wonderful whiskey last longer. Ice, water, and some whiskey for flavor. Personally, I prefer it to whiskey neat.

2. BIGGER beer

Because most upstanding citizens without prior felonies refuse to drink pisswater beer like Bud or Coors Light, many of us find ourselves spending $9-12 on 6-packs of craft beers.

My beer-blogging friend over at Golden Gate Beer Blog pointed out that 22 oz. bottles tend to be a good deal. Ranging from $2–3 at places like BevMo, buying 6 22 oz. bottles gives you more beer for less money than buying 2 regular size 6-packs. Plus you’re not stuck with one type of beer as you are with a 6-pack. Pretty smart.

But please don’t mention a 40. Ever.

3. Calimoxo

Known as the poor man’s sangria, Spaniards take a 1/2 cup of Coke or Diet Coke to a 1/2 cup of red wine, and poof! A delicious pre-party drink is made.

4. Kool-aid and Vodka

[Photo credit: Flickr user Mike Harper]

Kool-aid Man probably kept crashing through walls because dude was tanked all the time.

For less than a buck, it’s a tasty vodka mixer.

5. Smandré (Smirnoff and André)

OK, I have never actually consumed André, but to me calling cheap sparkling wine “André” is analogous to calling all tissues Kleenex.

Anyway, if you ever felt envious of the lushy fun Eddie and Patsy were having on “Absolutely Fabulous,” you can simulate their signature Bolli Stoli (Bollinger Champagne with a shot of Stolichnaya vodka) with André and Smirnoff. The New York Times says it’s OK to drink affordable vodkas like Smirnoff, so do it!

I know you lushies out there have found ways to save money on drinks, so please feel free to share with the rest of us.