A Michelada (a.k.a., red beer) is a Mexican beer cocktail with a flavor profile similar to a Bloody Mary. At its most basic, it consists of a Mexican lager like Modelo or Tecate mixed with fresh lime, tomato juice or Clamato, and seasonings. It’s both savory and refreshing, and it’s a perfect warm weather drink--especially with a side of chips and guac.
The beauty of a Michelada is just how unfussy it is. There’s really no need to pull out the jiggers or any other fancy measuring apparatus. A good Michelada can simply be eyeballed and adjusted to taste.
We like to rim our Michelada glasses with flavored salt. This particular variety from Halo del Santo, featuring a spicy-tart, all-natural blend of salt, lime powder, chili peppers, and paprika, is a favorite.
You can also change up the ingredients. Below is a solid but basic preparation. Use it as a starting point and then try experimenting with other flavors, if you feel so inclined. Soy sauce, chamoy, Maggi seasoning, or Sriracha could all make for a delicious Michelada variation. If you try one, let us know how it turns out!
Michelada Recipe
Yield: 1 drink
Ingredients
1 can or bottle Mexican lager
A few ounces tomato juice or Clamato
Juice of ½ lime
3-4 dashes hot sauce, or to taste
2 dashes Worcestershire sauce
Seasoning salt (like Halo del Santo)
Directions
- Rim your glass: Run the flesh of a cut lime around the mouth of a pint glass to moisten it. Dip the moistened rim in the seasoning salt and press so the flakes adhere.
- Build your cocktail: Add ice cubes to the pint glass, followed by a couple inches of tomato juice or Clamato. Squeeze in the juice of half a lime followed by the hot sauce, Worcestershire, a pinch of seasoning salt, and/or whatever else you are using to flavor your Michelada. Stir lightly.
- Fill the remainder of the glass with Mexican beer. Give it all one or two quick stirs without deflating the bubbles.
- Enjoy--preferably immediately.
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