BARGAIN BOOZE

Former hotelier and super-host Steph Parker starred alongside her husband Dom in Channel 4’s Gogglebox, where they were renowned for their superlative drinking skills. ‘Keep your eyes peeled for cheap offers on alcohol and stockpile when you find a good one,’ she says. ‘our laundry room is stuffed with gin!’

SAVE Spirits

ALL spirits into which you’re going to pour a mixer can be supermarket-own brands. Especially vodka (£10.29, sainsburys.co.uk).

Cider

IF YOU are offended by the price of beer, how about a pint of cold, refreshing cider instead? There are loads of great-value, flavoured craft ciders on the market. We like Henry Weston (tesco.com) and Old Mout (asda.com), both £2.20 for 500ml.

Decant it and nobody will know . . .

FINE wine purists would be horrified, but one of the tricks we learned as hoteliers is that you can make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear when it comes to regular red wine.

The key is to get it to the right temperature (I’ve even been known to pop it in the microwave for 15 seconds), then whoosh it about as you decant it and leave it to breathe for a couple of hours. This will help elevate a £5 bargain into something that could pass for a far pricier bottle. A decanter has no label. Try Carta Roja Gran Reserva (£5.75, sainsburys.co.uk).

SPLURGE Mixers

WHILE you can get away with cheap spirits, you must not compromise on mixers. Our favourites are Fever Tree tonics (around £2 for 500ml). We also like a splash of Rose’s Lime Juice Cordial (£2.40, sainsburys. co.uk) in our vodka or gin.

Whisky

HAVING said that any old spirit will do, whisky is an honourable exception. If it is to be drunk neat or over ice, get the real deal. Occasionally, I am partial to Glenrothes, which can range from £41.95 to £1,350 from thewhiskyexchange.com.

Champagne

IT IS possible to get bargain champagne — Co-op’s Les Pionniers (£19, above, coop.co.uk) is made by the producer of Piper-Heidsieck.

However, for a special event, do not contemplate going for a lower priced fizz. No one wants to be known as a stingy host, so this is the time to showcase the best that you can afford.

Our favourite brands are Ruinart (£43.77, thewineilove.com), Bollinger (£49) and Veuve Clicquot (£36.75)( both waitrosecellar.com), not forgetting Dom Perignon Vintage (£160, sainsburys.co.uk).