best bets

Best Bet: Mix Master

We hate to think about how much money we wasted on mixed drinks this summer, most of which contained ingredients we could find in our fridge. Paying $15 for a cocktail? That’s just not cutting it in this economy. That’s why we’re digging this jigger cube by Josh Owens. Each of the cube’s six sides holds a different amount of liquid, so all you do is turn it to get the right amount for your mixers and liquor, and — voilà — you’re an ace bartender. With all the concoctions you can make, it’s like a drinking-game version of the Rubix cube. But instead of getting sweet satisfaction from solving a puzzle, you get to sip the results of your hard work. Now that’s refreshing.

$25 at CharlesandMarie.com.

Best Bet: Mix Master