Ok so… Listen, I’m not gonna talk about the politics of it all… but it is what it is. These skyrocketing gas prices make us want to stay home or around our neighborhood.
So I did some research and just for kicks, I looked for stuff that we can drink at home for less than what we need to pay for diesel by the liter.
Some parameters before I get canceled:
- Some are legit SRPs per SKU in a grocery
- I limited it to a grocery I could walk to from my house because, gas prices
- The cocktail I had in mind was computed to reflect the cost per millilitres (nerd)
For reference, recent diesel prices (per liter):
…and they’re still rising. For the moment, we’ll use Php 105.60 as our benchmark.
Coca-Cola 320ml (regular and zero) = Php 40.00; Coca-Cola 1L (regular and zero) = Php 76.00
I specifically chose this because… I mean, every 90s child grew up having an ice-cold glass (or two, depending on how strict their parents are) as a treat. It’s super wonderful to have in our brutally hot, balmy weather, and goes well with every meal or merienda.
Nestea Iced Tea 19g Sachet (makes 1L of iced tea)= Php 23.50
A note to my dear sister: It’s supposed to make ONE LITER of iced tea, not a sugar bomb concoction of a 750ml pitcher. Kidding aside, it’s also a very refreshing drink to have at while chilling out at home, avoiding going out because diesel is too expensive, and with enough ice… less reasons to turn on the airconditioning because we are also on the verge of an energy crisis.
Cibo Iced Tea Té Freddo 350ml = Php 99.00
Ok so sure, on a per milliliter perspective it might be a bit pricier than gas, but I’d rather pay for a more bougie iced tea in my house versus burning a hole in my pocket to fill up my tank. To be fair, it’s pretty close to OG available in Cibo.
Twining’s English Breakfast Tea = Php 16.35 per bag
I mean… I can have 6 cuppas for less than a liter of diesel. I think saving the world from my morning decaffeinated groggy grumps is worth it. I think these days, a cup is essential before gassing up. Read: Calm. Zen. Chill. Woosah.
Gin & Tonic
Ingredients: 1/2 jigger Archipelago Lava Rock Gin (Php 59.40) over ice cubes, topped with Schweppes Tonic Water 320ml (Php 46.50) = less than Php 105.90
The thing is, one can use a less expensive gin to bring the cost down (or play around with other tonic water brands too, which would mess around with the cost)… I just prefer this gin from the selection I found in the store. I also find it interesting that diesel is now more expensive than a good G&T. It’s also a yummy, easy-to-make, invogorating cocktail… and the gin can keep.
Jack Daniel’s and Coca-Cola Zero Sugar 320ml = Php 80.00
Do kids still down liters of Jack Coke in clubs these days or am I that old…? Are clubs still a thing, do they even call them clubs these days…? Anyway, good to know that I don’t need to go to one (or bother with doing any mixing) with one of these. Man, does this bring back 2000s memories. #tita
Lemon-Dou Signature Lemon 330ml = Php 62.50
Speaking of titos and titas of Manila, one of my favorite titos just happens to be our kuya. He and I have spent a chunk of our youth partying, but he and I bond over a couple of cans of these in the Davao house (over kinilaw because, Davao). It’s crisp, easy, and goes with a lot of greasy, saucy Asian food. PS, how do you pronounce them? Is it Lemon Daw? Dow? Doo? Kuya and I have been joking about it and we’d love for people to settle it for us. Lol…
Good Day Original Soju 360ml = Php 79.50
My favorite stay at home checklist: Kdrama. Korean BBQ (with a few bonchon, from pickled raddish to kimchi to mung bean sprouts). Soju. ‘Nuff said. Kamsahamnida. I’ve written an extensive article on soju here for reference.
Smirnoff Mule 330ml = Php 54.00
I am acutely aware that this website’s audience are people like me: 40-something elder millennials/Gen Xers with a wicked sense of humor and who grew up thinking we were invincible. Didn’t we all have an iteration of this baby as our first drink (sorry Mama)? Great way to reminisce the bygone days… When we didn’t have to sell a spleen to afford getting anywhere.
San Miguel Pale Pilsen 330ml = Php 63.00; 500ml = Php 85.00
These days, our internationally acclaimed signature beer at half a liter will give more bang for your buck than spending money to get out of the house. Its refreshing characteristics that made it legendary in different parts of the world (my European friends drink this by the liter, and we were surprised that it was a staple in menus all over Pattaya) make them go perfectly with our cheap eats: from fish balls to balut, sisig to isaw… or even kwek-kwek.
HY Iced Coffee (different variants) 250ml = Php 67.00
Shoutout to the ARMY out there celebrating the return of their idols. I’m sure those who are based here would rejoice to know that they can stay home and re-watch BTS The Comeback Live on Netflix with one of these bad boys. Each variant has a photo of their stans, too.
Bonus:
Ok so I live in the south, and to get me to go to the north, especially with gas prices as they are, is hard… but far be it for me to ignore my QC audience. I stumbled upon one of my favorite wino’s socmed and found out that World Cellar hosts well-curated wine events for really good prices. For perspective, it’s hard to find wine events that go below Php 1,000 a ticket… With their philosophy of keeping their markups small to build a wine culture in their neck of the woods, it’s so worth going over. Take this event, for example. For Php 900, guests could sample four different wines (including, *gasp* an Amarone, which usually fetches a pretty hefty price per 750ml bottle). They have a lot more events coming up soon, so stay tuned!
