Mexican Michelada Beer Cocktail Recipe

Picture this: You’ve spent the day basking in the sun, and now it’s time to kick back with the ultimate chill companion—my twist on a classic Mexican Michelada that’s basically a fiesta in a glass!

I enjoy making the traditional Mexican beer cocktail known as the Michelada. This refreshing drink has a zesty twist that is perfectly balanced in my recipe.

It calls for an easy-to-find Mexican lager, the most common of which is Corona; however, I prefer Modelo Especial. No matter which beer you use, the flavors I mix into this elixir give it a delightful zing.

Like the famous Bloody Mary, the Michelada uses tomato juice as a base. I don’t use it in my version, but I do pour in enough Clamato to give this drink a very refreshing taste with a hint of the sea.

Mexican Michelada Beer Cocktail Recipe Ingredients

• Mexican lager beer: Refreshing, light, and malty; adds a crisp base.
• Tomato juice: Rich in vitamins A and C; provides a savory depth.
• Lime juice: Zesty and tangy; boosts vitamin C, enhances flavor.
• Hot sauce: Spicy kick; boosts metabolism, adds heat.
• Soy sauce: Umami depth; adds saltiness, enhances flavors.
• Worcestershire sauce: Complex savory flavor; adds umami richness.
• Chili powder or Tajín: Spicy and tangy; enhances rim flavor.

Mexican Michelada Beer Cocktail Recipe Ingredient Quantities

• 12 oz Mexican lager beer (such as Modelo or Corona)
• 2 oz tomato juice or clamato juice
• 1 oz lime juice (freshly squeezed)
• 1 tsp hot sauce (such as Tabasco or Valentina)
• 1 tsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• Pinch of salt
• Pinch of black pepper
• Chili powder or Tajín, for rim
• Lime wedges, for garnish
• Ice cubes

How to Make this Mexican Michelada Beer Cocktail Recipe

1. Begin by readying the glass: Wet the edge with a slice of lime and then dunk the glass into a shallow dish of chili powder or Tajín to get a nice coating.

2. Prepare a drinking glass by filling it with ice cubes, but leave some space at the top of the glass.

3. In a different container, combine 2 oz of tomato juice or clamato juice with 1 oz of lime juice, freshly squeezed. This can be done in a simple pitcher or another glass. Combine ingredients well.

4. Stir 1 tsp of hot sauce into the juice mixture. Adjust to taste. Feel free to add more if you want it hotter. Remember, your hot sauce counts toward the total amount of liquid in your cocktail.

5. Add 1 tsp of soy sauce and 1 tsp of Worcestershire sauce to deepen the flavor.

6. Add a little salt and a little black pepper to the mixture.

7. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and mix them together well.

8. Pour the mixture slowly and steadily over the ice in the prepared glass.

9. Fill the glass with a 12-ounce Mexican lager, like a Modelo or a Corona, pouring slowly so as not to disturb the carbonation.

10. Garnish the glass with a lime wedge on the rim and serve directly. Smile while you savor this cold and invigorating Mexican Michelada!

Mexican Michelada Beer Cocktail Recipe Equipment Needed

1. Glass
2. Knife (for cutting lime)
3. Shallow dish (for chili powder or Tajín)
4. Cutting board
5. Ice cube tray (for ice cubes)
6. Separate container (for mixing juices and sauces, e.g., pitcher or glass)
7. Spoon or stirrer
8. Tablespoon or teaspoon (for measuring ingredients)

FAQ

• What is a Michelada?A Michelada is a well-liked beer cocktail from Mexico that mixes together the tastes of tanginess, spiciness, and savoriness. It is customarily prepared with beer, lime juice, different sauces, and tomato juice, and spiced up with an assortment of seasonings.
• Can I use a different type of beer?Although lagers from Mexico are classic, you can play around with the other light beers to fine-tune the recipe to your taste.
• What is Clamato juice?The Michelada has a unique savory taste thanks to Clamato, which is a combo of tomato juice and clam broth. But if you’re not into that and would rather have something less, well, briny, you could always just use plain tomato juice.
• Can I adjust the spice level?Certainly, you may modify the hot sauce to suit your individual taste, or opt for a milder sauce if you’re looking for something with less “kick”.
• Is Tajín necessary for the rim?Tajín is suggested for its chili-lime taste, but if you prefer, you can use ordinary chili powder or even salt.
• How do I rim the glass?A lime wedge should be run around the rim of the glass, and the rim should then be dipped into a plate of Tajín or chili powder.
• Can I make a non-alcoholic version?Indeed, swap out the non-alcoholic beer for a refreshing mocktail made with it instead of conventional beer or, if you prefer, use sparkling water.

Mexican Michelada Beer Cocktail Recipe Substitutions and Variations

V8 vegetable juice can be used in place of tomato juice or clamato juice for a different flavor.
If lime juice is not available, substitute it with lemon juice.
You can use Sriracha in place of hot sauce. It offers a bit of a change-up in terms of both heat and flavor. Sriracha is thicker than most hot sauces, so if you traditionally use a 5-1 ratio of hot sauce to ingredient, you might want to lessen that ratio.
Tamari can be used instead of soy sauce when a gluten-free option is desired.
If preferred, a vegan Worcestershire sauce can be used as a substitute for Worcestershire sauce.

Pro Tips

1. Chill Your Glassware: For an extra refreshing experience, chill your glass in the freezer for about 15 minutes before preparing your Michelada. This helps keep the drink cold longer.