Inexpensive but tasty alcohol for Christmas cakes?

Triggles

Well, I guess the title says it all...

Money is really tight right now. We really would like to make our own Christmas cake but alcohol is quite pricey and easily the most expensive part of the cake. Usually we make a couple cakes, but am struggling to figure out where we will find reasonably priced alcohol to put in them.

Can anyone recommend some? I'm not adverse to using basics or store brand - just want something that tastes reasonably well (we don't over booze the cake, as the kids like a little nibble as well) and is affordable.

esmf73

A bit sneaky I know - but how about going into your local pub and buying a double brandy (or similar) and pouring it into a container to take home.

parapusher

Don't bother with Sainsburys basic brandy - I bought that last year and it was terrible - the cakes would have been better without it! I usually have their French brandy - hope they still do it, as I need some this year.

Triggles

DH works at Sains, and he says that they do still have the French brandy - at least at his store they do, so probably the others as well.

Thanks!

piglet6

We always dose our Christmas cakes with sherry, rather than brandy - its cheaper (you can use an own-brand, although we always find somebody doing a deal on Harvey's Bristol Cream - certainly for the same price as an own-brand brandy) and I think it tastes better (yummier ) than a cake done with brandy! Also, not so alcoholic (in terms of percentage volume) so may be better for a cake that the whole family can eat without worrying about alcohol content?!

Piglet

ljbnotts

I always use ginger wine! It's yum and a big bottle is £6ish so cheaper to!

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esmf73 wrote: »

A bit sneaky I know - but how about going into your local pub and buying a double brandy (or similar) and pouring it into a container to take home.

If the pub are making a profit from selling booze, how on earth is this money saving advice?

Doozergirl

Quote wrote: »

If the pub are making a profit from selling booze, how on earth is this money saving advice?

It's cheaper than buying a whole bottle?

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Miniatures?

Afitos

I always use Croft Original and buy it when it is on offer tastes lovely in my Microwave xmas cake!

esmf73

Just that you can't always find minatures when you want them - this year I've soaked my dried fruit in strong tea overnight - no one will know the difference! Oh and I don't like Brandy or whisky so I don't have them in the house - buying a measure from a pub has got to be cheaper than buying a whole bottle surely?