Origins Of A Michelada
So where did this delicious combination of beer, spice, and lime juice come from? There are several stories out there of dubious origin, but Im inclined to go with booze historian David Wondrichs tale of Michel Esper Jorge, who in Northern Mexico, in the 1970s, possibly named the drink and included the hot sauce and savory seasonings.
The doctoring up of beer being an activity of much longer standing in Mexico. Since the drinks exact origin story is still hazy at best, its base ingredients can vary greatly, allowing for lots of creativity and mixing of ingredients.
Simply Recipes / Elana Lepkowski
Ingredients In A Michelada
A Michelada can have many different ingredients. The main items you need to make are:
- Mexican Lager, like Dos Equis
But in most cases, a Michelada is served with more than just these ingredients. Clamato juice is probably the most popular among those additional ingredients.
Others include seasoning sauces like Maggi and Worcestershire sauce, chamoy powder, soy sauce, and chili peppers.
The Perfect Mexican Michelada Recipe
This Perfect Michelada Recipe is loaded with the classics: beer, lime juice and hot sauce. Its the perfect pairing to your Cinco de Mayo feast or a thirst quencher on a hot summer day. Alternate it with our Mango Michelada and rim it with Chamoy to keep things interesting. Drink up!
With Cinco de Mayo coming up we figured today is the perfect day to share our Perfect Michelada Recipe. Come Saturday were going to be knees deep in Carne Asada Burritos, Classic Margaritas and Micheladas. Mexican Food Recipes are our favorite here at FoodieandWine.com if you havent noticed.
If youre not familiar with the Michelada Ingredients are simple, but vary from region to region. Classic Michelada Ingredients include beer, lime juice, and spices/peppers, served in a salt-rimmed glass.
Looking for a Michelada without Clamato or a Michelada Recipe without Bloody Mary Mix? This is it. Some restaurants and fans like mixing in tomato juice however we dont find it necessary. We keep the tomato juice for when were knocking back Bloody Marys.
Just like the Bloody Mary, we werent sure if wed love Micheladas when first introduced to them during our time in Texas. Looking back my drink repertoire consisted of Shiner Bock, Apple-tinis and Wyders Cider. So, anything with Worcestershire sauce mixed in was drastically different. But good different as it turns out.
Also Check: Nicks Hot Sauce Corn Chips
Add As Much Lime And Hot Sauce To This Light Savory Beer Drink As You Want
- The right amount of lime juice keeps the drink bracingly tart and fresh.
- A pinch of salt in the drink itself ensures every sip is perfect.
It starts with a spreadsheet. I’ve been obsessed with micheladas, the spicy and tart Mexican beer cocktail, for some time. It’s been something of a love-hate relationship for me. Some of the micheladas I’ve drunk have been foul and vomitous, tasting more like the murky dregs of forgotten barroom beer cups with cigarette butts bobbing on the surface. Others have been pure refreshment: bracingly tart, icy-cold, and lip-tinglingly spicy.
There have been a few outliers, too, like the one I drunkenly toted around an outdoor market in Mexico City one summer. A sticky-sweet, cherry-red chile syrup swirled with my beer and dripped down the side of my oversize plastic cup, gluing my hand to it. In retrospect, it was pretty gross, but I enjoyed it in the heatand only later learned that imbibing in the street there could have landed me in jail.
At its best, a michelada is one of the great drinks of summer, a low-alcohol concoction of cheap, light Mexican beer fresh lime juice and chile heat. But striking the perfect balance of flavor is deceptively hard. A michelada can quickly become a hot mess, especially as the ingredient list grows.
Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik
Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik
Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik
Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik
Clamato Or Tomato Juice
Clamato juice is a key way to add flavour to a michelada. Clamato juice is made up of both clam juice and tomato juice, hence the name clamato.
This juice contains vitamin C, B and potassium. It relieves inflammation and lowers risks of heart conditions due to the presence of lycopene.
Clamato juice can be used in sauces, salad dressings and cocktails. It is commonly used in making refreshments such as beach bum, bloody Caesar, call of the wild, bloody Mary, and of course micheladas.
Tomato juice can work as a substitute ingredient to the clamato. You can opt for homemade tomato juice or buy pure tomato juice from the store.
Read Also: Prego No Salt Added Pasta Sauce
Top Michelada Ingredients You Should Have
With many versions out there for michelada’s recipe, you will probably wonder which one would work out best. With the right ingredients and quantity, you can’t go wrong. You can also add a touch of sophistication to your cocktail with unique glassware or interesting garnishes.
Below are some of the essential ingredients that you can use for a Michelada cocktail:
Whats The Difference Between A Chelada And A Michelada
A Michelada is a popular Tex-Mex and Mexican beer recipe, made with Mexican lager beer, spices such as chili powder or hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, sea salt, garlic powder and lemon juice or lime juice.
To explain the difference between a Chelada recipe and Michelada Im going to use the Wikipedia definition: The main differences between these two beer cocktails are the addition of clamato in Cheladas as well as some extra spices.
Micheladas usually keep it simple but their sister drink adds more tomatoes which makes them taste more like salsa than Micheladas do. Personally, I prefer a tasty authentic Michelada but thats just me!
Don’t Miss: Bloody Mary Without Worcestershire Sauce
How To Make The Best Micheladas & Michelada Mix
Were making Micheladas today!
If youre not familiar, the michelada is a light and refreshing savory beer cocktail made with a Mexican lager, tomato juice, hot sauce, lime juice and a few other savory sauces like the Worcestershire sauce, and there are so many ways you can prepare them. Ive had sweet fruit micheladas before where they add sliced fruit, fruit juice, lime juice and hot sauce, but I personally prefer the savory ones.
When I was developing this recipe, I wanted to make sure I kept the Michelada nice and light, I didnt want it to feel like I was drinking a thick Bloody Mary. My recipe is similar to the Micheladas youll find in Cancun, or as they call them, Ojo Rojo, where it uses Clamato, lime juice, a mild hot sauce , Worcestershire sauce, and Jugo Maggi. The result is a delicious red beer, where everything is nicely balanced and you can taste every single ingredient in it. This recipe makes 2 1/2 cups of the Michelada mix, so you can store the mix in your fridge and reach for it after a long day at work, or on the weekend when youre at home relaxing. Feel free to make it your own and add cooked shrimp or fresh mango/watermelon slices as a garnish!
If you happen to make these Micheladas, dont forget to take pictures and share them with me on Instagram, and let me know if you enjoyed the recipe! Ill be back tomorrow to share a taco recipe so until then, nos vemos pronto!
These micheladas pair well with:
Variations On The Original
In some recipes, we see that tomato juice is added to create a riff off the Bloody Mary, with beer replacing the vodka. Others even suggest Clamato a combination of tomato juice with clam juice.
However, adding a tomato element is not compulsory. The Mexico City variant of the cocktail has no tomato juice. The recipe uses spice, lime juice, and hot sauce instead.
Our recipe is from a similar family, using citrus, chili, and other seasonings to bring sweetness and spice to the finished beverage. It is up to you which beer you choose to use in the drink, but naturally, the best choice for authenticity is a light Mexican lager.
Think Sol, Pacifico or Dos Equis. Our top tip to add a dash of savory and spicy kick to every mouthful is to rim your glass with a mixture of cayenne pepper and salt.
Recommended Reading: Where Is Soy Sauce In Walmart
The Best Michelada Recipe
The best Michelada recipe for me includes the use of Clamato juice. I’m aware of the discussion about whether this tomato-based juice should be used or not.
As I prefer to keep things traditional, I like to go with Clamato juice. So, here are the ingredients for my perfect Michelada:
- 6oz Ice-cold Mexican Lager
- 1oz Freshly squeezed lime juice
- 0.25oz Worcestershire sauce
Use Clamato Juice Or Tomato Juice
Some people mistake Clamato juice for tomato juice and then are unsure which one to use in a proper Michelada. The answer is that you could use both, but Clamato juice is the better and more traditional way. I’ll explain why.
Tomato juice is, well, juice made from tomatoes. The taste is quite delicate and won’t add much to the drink.
Clamato juice is made from tomato juice concentrate, sugar, spices, and even flavored with clam broth. The additional flavors and spices in Clamato make for a great and more complex taste of your Michelada.
Recommended Reading: Texas Pete Hot Dog Sauce
Conditional Use Of This Site
Your access to and use of the Sites is subject to these Terms, and all applicable laws. Certain features of the Site may have additional terms, such as promotion official rules, site content and behavior guidelines, and other terms and conditions. These Terms govern your rights and responsibilities in connection with the particular Site you are using. By accessing and using the Sites and such other features, you signify your acceptance and agreement to be bound by these Terms and the Company Privacy Policy , which is hereby incorporated by this reference into these Terms, and such other terms as may be applicable. These Terms are a binding legal agreement between you and the Company: please read them carefully before you use the Site. Do not use the Site if you do not agree with any of the terms contained herein.
Tomato Juice Or Clamato Juice
Many Michelada recipes call for tomato juice or Clamato juice, and some recipes dont use any and opt for only hot sauce and other seasonings.
My personal preference is to use a spicy tomato juice or even a spicy bloody mary mix because it adds even more spice to the drink and it doesnt water down the flavor like Clamato juice.
That being said, the drink is traditionally made with Clamato juice which is a tomato juice cocktail made from tomato juice, spices and clam juice.
What you decide to use is really really up to you and what you prefer!
Read Also: The Salt Lick Bbq Sauce
How To Make A Michelada Beer
- To make the Michelada first wet the rim of a glass with a lime and dip in a dish with chile lime salt .
- Next add the freshly squeezed lime juice, the Maggi seasoning, Worcestershire, Tabasco and a bit of chili lime salt.
TIP: A high-quality citrus squeezer is very helpful for juicing the limes, especially if you are making several drinks at the same time.
- Stir the Michelada preparacion ingredients then fill the glass with dark beer being careful not to make contact with the salt rim.
- Stir the entire drink, add a couple of ice cubes and enjoy!
When To Serve A Michelada
With so many sweet cocktails out there, this savory drink is a welcome palate cleanser! Enjoy a michelada on a hot summer day, or anytime year-round. It’s easy to mix up for game night, backyard barbecues, or special occasions.
It tastes especially good when paired with mexican appetizers like bacon guacamole, red wine chorizo bites, or easy sweet potato nachos.
It’s no secret that we love mexican food. Here are some of our favorite Mexican recipes:
You May Like: Cattlemen’s Original Bbq Sauce
What Is A Michelada
Michelada is a spicy, intensely flavored, refreshing Mexican beer drink.
It is also known as a cerveza preparada on account of the Michelada preparacion, which is the mix of ingredients being added to the beer. They include lime juice, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings.
The beer drink is also popular in other Latin American countries such as Chile and Colombia. The flavor of a Michelada should be rich and the beer carbonation should be noticeable.
How To Make A Michelada
FOR THE RIM
Place enough salt and Tajin seasoning or chili powder in a wide, small plate to cover the bottom. Salt and chili powder is a nice combination.
Rub the rims of two glasses with the lime wedges to moisten them up. This will help the salt mixture stick to the rims of the beer glasses.
Next, dip them into the spicy sea salt mixture. Make sure the spicy salt mixture generously coats the rims.
FOR THE MICHELADAS
Fill the glasses with ice and set aside.
Divide evenly between two beer glasses…
Worcestershire sauce and soy sauce. You can add in extra or dial it back. Patty likes hers with extra Worcestershire sauce.
Hot sauce. Add in as much as you’d like! I like mine extra spicy to I give it a few extra shakes.
Lime Juice. I use freshly squeezed limes, but bottled is good if that is all you have. Better than having no michelada!
Mexican beer. Use your favorite light Mexican beer.
Clamato juice or tomato juice. I’m using Clamato juice, but either is good!
Give it all a stir if you wish, or serve it with beer on top. I like mine mixed.
Garnish with a lime wedge.
Boom! That is how you make a classic Clamato michelada. It’s hard to go wrong with a good beer and tomato juice cocktail. Beer with tomato juice? Yes! It’s one of my favorite combinations. The ultimate spicy Mexican beer cocktail.
Also Check: Primal Kitchen Vodka Sauce Recipe
Which Hot Sauce In A Michelada
Most recipes will use Tabasco sauce as it’s super easy to get and works a treat in Micheladas – our recipe is no different in that respect.
The reason is simple: the taste and spice level of hot sauces vary significantly. Therefore it’s super hard to adjust the rest of the ingredients to the hot component.
When using Tabasco, you know what you get. Even if products from different brands vary a bit, the general taste and spice level are similar.
Still, if you have a personal favorite when it comes to hot sauces, don’t be afraid to experiment with it.
Ownership Of Material You Send
Subject to the application of the Privacy Policy to personal data, any material you send to the Sites will be deemed non-confidential and non-proprietary. This includes any data, questions, comments, suggestions, ideas or other information, material or property. We will be entitled to use any or all of it for any purpose, WITHOUT COMPENSATION TO YOU, including for reproduction, disclosure, transmission, publication, broadcast and posting. You must only send material to the Site if you are the original author of the material or otherwise have the necessary rights to use that material.
Recommended Reading: Vegan Alfredo Sauce Whole Foods
Tips For Making The Perfect Michelada Recipe
After trying out different Michelada recipes over the years, here are some tips that will help you make an amazing Michelada cocktail at home:
1) Use freshly squeezed lime juice instead of bottled ones. It just tastes better!
2) If you want to spice it up a bit then add some jalapeno slices too!
3) The best Michelada mix is Clamato in my opinion .
4) Its a michelada recipe so make sure to add sea salt and Tajin seasoning!
5) Ice-cold light Mexican beer is always better!
Tips And Tricks When Making A Michelada
- If youre not sure if your glass will accommodate all of your ingredients plus a full bottle of beer, add all of your ingredients minus the beer to your glass filled with ice, and then slowly pour the beer over everything until you reach the top. If theres some beer left over, you can top your drink off later. This technique also mixes all your ingredients together without the help of a spoon or straw too!
- Looking to make this for a crowd? This recipe easily scales to accommodate how ever many guests youre looking to serve. Keep the beer separate, and in a small pitcher combine the tomato, hot sauce, and lime juice at a 1:1 ratio .
Simply Recipes / Elana Lepkowski
Read Also: Healthy Marinara Sauce To Buy
A Micheladawith Or Without Tomato Juice
Youll see some describe the Michelada as a variant of a Bloody Mary but looking back at early recipes seems to belie that lineage, as the addition of tomato juice recipes appears to be a recent development. However, variations with tomato juice have become some of the most popular versions of the drink, so well include it for this recipebut if youre not a tomato juice fan, go ahead and leave it out!
The Michel Esper Narrative
The second version suggests that a man named Michel Esper invented the popular michelada drink. It is reported that he would take his beer with lime, ice cubes and salt. This mixture would be served in a chabela cup as if it were a shandy .
The frequent members of the club Deportivo Potosino in San Luis Potosi began asking for “Michels limonada”. Over time this was shortened to “michelada”.
Read Also: Yank Sing Chili Pepper Sauce
Easy Spicy Michelada Recipe
A classic Mexican beer cocktail, this Spicy Michelada recipe is a lighter version of a bloody mary thatll go down super easy any time of the day! Now that football season is upon us, youll want to save this easy Michelada recipe for all of your viewing parties.
Have you heard of a Michelada? You might have seen this chelada recipe, which includes fresh lime juice and a Mexican beer. But, a michelada is a tad more complex. Probably the easiest way to describe a traditional michelada is a cross between a Bloody Mary and a red beer .
This Spicy Michelada recipe is in my cocktail book, Latin Twist: Traditional & Modern Cocktails, and now Im sharing it with you on the blog. YAY!
