Best cheap alcohol in Australia

Read more detail on our methodology below.

Smirnoff Red Label Vodka

Best cheap vodka

• Has a smooth and crisp finish

Cons

• Lower alcohol volume than other vodkas
• Not for drinking neat

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If you're looking for the best cheap vodka, we recommend Smirnoff's Red Label Vodka. It has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon and Dan Murphy's.

Also known as Smirnoff No. 21, this vodka was created in 1864 and has since become one of the best-selling vodkas in the world. It is tripled distilled from a blend of various grains and filtered ten times through seven columns of sustainable charcoal. The result is a pure and smooth spirit that you can enjoy anytime.

At 37% alcohol volume, the Smirnoff Red Label Vodka has just enough of a kick for drinking straight or for mixing cocktails. Customers said it works exceptionally well for making limoncellos, martinis and cosmopolitans. It is a top choice for many people because of its affordability and neat flavours. Despite having a lower alcohol volume compared to other vodkas, this spirit isn't for drinking neat. One critic added that it has a burnt aftertaste when consumed on its own.

Hollandia

Best cheap beer

• Good ABV at 4.7%

Cons

• Flimsy packaging
• Some found the taste too harsh after 1 drink

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For the best cheap beer, we picked Hollandia, which is also one of our choices for the best beers available in Australia right now. It has a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from over 200 reviews on Dan Murphy's.

Hollandia beers are brewed the traditional way. It is crisp and refreshing with a northern European lager style. This beer is made by the Royal Swinkels Family Brewers – the second largest brewery in the Netherlands with a deep history dating back to 1680.

Customers liked the crisp flavours of Hollandia, adding that it is best served cold. It has a refreshing taste that's not too bitter. The beer also doesn't have preservatives or any artificial additives. At only $36.99 for 24 x 330ml bottles, Hollandia is quite affordable and offers 4.7% alcohol. However, a few customers said they found the taste too harsh for their liking after their first drink.

Molly's Cradle Sauvignon Blanc 2019

Best cheap white wine

• Perfect for casual occasion

Cons

• Too acidic for some
• Not as complex as other white wines

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With a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars on Dan Murphy's, Molly's Cradle Sauvignon Blanc 2019 is our choice for the best cheap white wine.

Molly's Cradle Sauvignon Blanc 2019 is made with fruits from the cool-climate region of Tumbarumba, New South Wales. It has the aromas of passionfruit and pineapple. This wine also has a dry sweetness and an alcohol volume of 12.7%.

This sauvignon blanc has a refined tropical fruit flavour and a soft mouthfeel. It punches with a subtle yet crisp acidity that adds to the complexity of its flavours. Apart from its price point, customers loved pairing this spirit with seafood or chicken dishes. The Sauvignon Blanc 2019 may not be the most complex and refined white wine in the market, but it's a crowd-pleaser. It is perfect for more casual events like picnics and BBQs. However, some reviewers found it too acidic for their liking.

In Top Company Cask Red Wine

Best cheap red wine

• Light and drinkable

Cons

• Flavours aren’t distinct
• Quality is lower than other casks or bottles

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If you're looking for the best cheap red wine, we recommend In Top Company's Cask Red Wine. This drink is also one of our picks for the best cask red wines in Australia right now.

In Top Company offers affordable cask red wines in Shiraz and Pinot Grigio. The Shiraz variant is medium-bodied with sweet berry flavours. It also has hints of spices, while the Pinot Grigio has crisp pear and apple flavours.

For less than $10, you can enjoy a 2L cask red wine from In Top Company. The Shiraz is velvety and soft, while Pinot Grigio is light-bodied and refreshing. Apart from its affordability, customers liked that these are easy-to-drink options after a long day. The brand also offers alcohol volumes at 11% and 12.5%. While these cask red wines may not be at par with bottled varieties, they are a portable option for outdoor events.

Mateus Rosé

Best cheap rosé

• Perfect for light meals

Cons

• A few customers found it too sour and acidic
• Has a sticky finish

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For rosé, we selected the Mateus Rosé as the best cheap option. It has an average rating of 4.75 out of 5 stars on Dan Murphy's and First Choice Liquor.

First made in the 1940s in Portugal, Mateus Rosé is made from various red Portuguese grapes such as Baga, Tinta, Barroca and Touriga Franca. It is a light-bodied spirit with a hint of sparkle, perfect for hot summer days.

This rosé has hints of strawberries, tart red fruit and cherries. It also has an 11% alcohol volume. According to customers, this wine is balanced and sparkly, perfect as a refreshment during the summer. While it's not as complex as other wines, the Mateus Rosé is a long-time favourite for many, including celebrities. But despite being advertised as light-bodied, a few reviewers said it has a heavy mouthfeel and a sticky finish.

Molly's Cradle NV Premium Brut

Best cheap sparkling wine

• Well-balanced

Cons

• Contains sulfites
• Lemon notes are overpowering for some

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With a 4.6 out of 5 stars rating on Dan Murphy's, the Molly's Cradle NV Premium Brut is our pick for the best sparkling wine available online.

The Molly's Cradle NV Premium Brut is a dry, sparkling wine prepared with blends of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Tumbarumba. It has a light straw colour and tones of lemon and citrus. It also has an alcohol volume of 11%.

According to customers, this brut has well-balanced flavours with medium sweetness. It is crisp and smooth, making it refreshing on the palette. Apart from having citrus notes, it has a creamy aftertaste that customers love. One reviewer added that it's great on its own or paired with light meals. This sparkling wine contains sulfites, which may be a con for some customers. Others also said that lemon notes are too strong for their liking. However, this seems to be a minor concern.

Bacardi White Rum

Best cheap rum

• Well-balanced

Cons

• Contains sulfites
• Lemon notes are overpowering for some

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For rum, we selected the Bacardi White Rum as the best cheap option. It has an average rating of 4.75 out of 5 stars on Amazon, Dan Murphy's and First Choice Liquor.

Bacardi's White Rum is a light, clean spirit filtered through charcoal for purity. The rum is then aged in white oak for character. Bacardi is one of the largest family-owned spirits companies in the world, offering over 200 spirit varieties for every taste and occasion.

The Bacardi White Rum is one of our recommendations for the best rums available online. It has 37.5% alcohol and a clean flavour, suitable for cocktails and cooking. While it doesn't have complex, artisanal flavours, customers like this rum for mixing. One reviewer added that it is perfect for making a tasty mojito or a classic rum and coke. However, this spirit isn't suitable for drinking neat.

Jim Beam White Label Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Best cheap bourbon

• The World’s #1 Bourbon

Cons

• Overpowering molasses aftertaste
• Too bitter and acidic for some

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The Jim Beam White Label Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is our pick for the best cheap bourbon. It has a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from over a hundred reviews on Dan Murphy's.

Jim Beam Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey was created in 1795. Today, it is one of the best-selling spirits across the globe. It is aged for four years in oak barrels, creating a smooth taste with spicy notes. This bourbon also has a substantial amount of rye in the mash bill.

The Jim Beam Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey has a sweet aroma with hints of honey and vanilla. Customers said it has the subtle smells of biscuits and muffins. The bourbon also has a spiciness that makes the flavour complex and well-balanced. It is the perfect spirit for drinking on the rocks or mixed to create your favourite cocktails. However, some customers said it is too acidic and bitter. One critic also didn't like its molasses aftertaste.

Tequila Blu Reposado

Best cheap tequila

• Smooth and has a slight smokiness

Cons

• One critic said its aftertaste is too musky
• Overpowering notes of vanilla

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If you want the best cheap tequila option available right now in Australia, we chose the Tequila Blu Reposado. On Dan Murphy's and First Choice Liquor, it has an average 4.8 rating out of 5 stars.

Tequila Blu Reposado is made from 100% blue agave grown in various regions in Mexico. The agave juice is extracted, fermented and distilled twice over and then rested in American oak barrels. It has a sweet aroma of oak and agave, and notes of honey and vanilla, giving it a smooth finish.

This tequila packs a punch with a 38% alcohol volume. It has a slight smokiness that makes its flavours pop for added complexity. One reviewer also said that it doesn't burn when drinking straight because of its smoothness. The Tequila Blue Reposado is perfect for making margaritas and Palomas as well. However, some customers said its vanilla flavour is overpowering. Another reviewer also mentioned that it has an unpleasant musky aftertaste.

Johnnie Walker Double Black Label Scotch Whisky

Best cheap whisky

• Full-bodied with complex flavours

Cons

• The peat notes are overwhelming for some
• Has an intense smokiness

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For whisky, we picked the Johnnie Walker Double Black Label Scotch Whisky as the best cheap alcohol. It has an average rating of 4.35 out of 5 stars on Amazon and Dan Murphy's.

The Double Black Label whisky is inspired by the flavour of Johnnie Walker's Black Label. It is also influenced by powerful West Coast and Island whiskies. This has an intense, full-bodied flavour with notes of peat smoke, raisins, apples, pears and citrus. It then softens, bringing out sweet and spicy tones and finishing with the warmth of oak tannins.

This whisky's smoothness and smoky finish are preferred by many. Customers particularly enjoy its complex flavours and crisp mouthfeel. It is also suitable for drinking neat or on the rocks. Some reviewers suggested drinking this whisky with just a touch of water or coke. However, several others found the peat notes overpowering. One critic added that its intense smokiness tastes like cigarettes. However, this seems to be an isolated concern.

Gordon's London Dry Gin

Best cheap gin

• An award-winning spirit

Cons

• Lower alcohol volume compared to others
• Some drinkers find the taste unrefined

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For gin, we picked Gordon's London Dry Gin as the best cheap option. This product is also one of our choices for the best gins available online. It has an average rating of 4.65 out of 5 stars on Amazon and Dan Murphy's.

Gordon's London Dry Gin is triple distilled, containing juniper berries, coriander seeds and angelica root. It is made using the same recipe created in 1769 by Alexander Gordon, the brand's founder. In 2017, this dry gin won a Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and another Gold Medal in 2018.

Gordon's London Dry Gin has an alcohol volume of 37%. Many customers liked using this spirit for a classic Gin and Tonic. It also works as a mixer for cocktails like martinis and margaritas. Its affordability and quality have also won many people over. But a few others found the taste unrefined for their liking. It also has a lower alcohol volume compared to others.

Somersby Pear Cider

Best cheap cider

• Goes well with cheese, pork and white fish

Cons

• Has a mineral aftertaste according to one customer
• Not as complex as other ciders in the market

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With an average rating of 4.75 out of 5 stars on Dan Murphy's and First Choice Liquor, Somersby Pear Cider is our pick for the best cheap cider you can get in Australia right now.

For less than $23, you can get 10 x 375ml cans of the Somersby Pear Cider, which has refreshing and crisp flavours from fermented pear juice and natural flavouring. It has notes of flowers, orchard and fresh green, creating an intense fruity taste. This drink has no artificial sweeteners, flavours or colouring as well.

The Somersby Pear Cider is the perfect refreshing drink for the summer. It doesn't have the same complexities as other ciders in the market, but people seem to enjoy its flavours. It delivers a good balance between sweet and sour with a 4.5% alcohol volume. Customers also like drinking this cider over ice. It has a smooth finish with a subtle, lingering sweetness as well. However, one critic said it has a mineral aftertaste.

St Agnes V.S Brandy

Best cheap brandy

• Medium-bodied with a sweet oak aftertaste

Cons

• Unrefined compared to other brandies
• Not for mixing cocktails

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St Agnes V.S Brandy is our recommendation for the best cheap brandy. On Dan Murphy's, it has a 4.4 rating out of 5 stars.

St Agnes V.S Brandy is a double-distilled, Pot-Still brandy with a 37% alcohol volume. It is prepared using specially crafted base wines and rested for many years in small oaks casks, ensuring its purity. This brand has flavours of apricot, orange peel and vanilla bean. It also has gingerbread prunes and caramel sauce, adding warmth to every sip.

The St Agnes V.S brandy is a medium-bodied spirit with great depth and complexity. Customers loved this product for sipping or mixed with coke over ice. It is well-balanced with a clean and smooth finish. It lacks the refinement of other brandies available out there, but its taste and warmth have won many consumers. However, some reviewers wouldn't suggest using this brandy for cocktails because its flavours may be overpowering.

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Methodology

Why you can trust our picks

• Absolut
• Alfa Hellenic
• Anima
• Atilius Festa
• Bacardi
• Baily & Baily
• Barokes
• Barron and Harold
• Bilpin
• Black Bottle
• Black Hops
• Born Wild
• Bowler’s Run
• Bundaberg

• Captain Morgan
• Chancellor & Co
• Cleanskin
• Cormack and Co
• Coruba
• Crystal Head
• De Bortoli
• Diamond Nights
• Edinburgh
• El Jimador
• Friels
• Gapsted Wines
• Gordon’s London
• Gossips
• Greenpiper

• Harbin Beer
• Hendrick’s
• Hollandia
• Born Wild
• Idyll
• In Top Company
• Jack Daniels
• Jim Beam
• Johnnie Walker
• Jose Cuervo
• JP Chenet
• Listel
• Louis Perdrier
• Mateus
• Miles From Nowhere

• Mishka
• Molly’s Cradle
• Napoleon 1875
• Nevado
• Old Mout
• Oriental Brewery Co
• Paradox
• Red Deer Station
• Rocks Brewing Co
• Ruskov
• Sierra
• Slipstream Brewing Co
• Smirnoff
• Snobs Creek Estate
• The Painter

• UDL
• Untold
• Westmalle
• Wildlife Brewing Co
• Winesmiths
• Yarra Burn
• St Agnes
• Substation
• Summer Snow
• Tequila Blu
• The Kraken

For this list, we carefully picked alcohols with the highest customer ratings on Amazon, Dan Murphy's and First Choice Liquor. We ended up with a total of 178 alcohols for comparison.

We then researched each product and its features. We also considered ratings and customer reviews on Amazon, Dan Murphy's and First Choice Liquor (as of April 2021). We came up with what we believe are the 13 best cheap alcohols you can buy online.

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