Michelada 
(Mexican spicy beer cocktail)

Pouring beer into a Michelada with limes in background
Image by ultramega

Cervezas preparadas, or “prepared beers,” are popular throughout Mexico. What goes in a michelada varies by region, but the simplest version uses lime juice and hot sauce to give beer a spicy, tangy kick. Pair a michelada with a hot bowl of pozole, and you have the perfect hangover cure. Sometimes called a chelada, the name is Mexican slang for “my chilled one.”

Michelada

Course: Alcoholic, BeveragesCuisine: Mexico
Makes

1

serving

Cervezas preparadas, or “prepared beers,” are popular throughout Mexico. The simplest version of a michelada uses lime juice and hot sauce to give beer a spicy, tangy kick.

Ingredients

  • Mexican beer — 1 (12-ounce) bottle or can

  • Lime (preferably Key lime), cut into wedges — 1

  • Bottled hot pepper sauce — 2 dashes

  • Worcestershire sauce — 1 dash

  • Fresh ground black pepper — pinch

Directions

  • Fill a tall beer glass with ice cubes. Squeeze the lime wedges into the glass and stir in the Worcestershire sauce, hot pepper sauce and pepper.
  • Pour in the beer, stir and serve.

Michelada Notes and Variations

  • Micheladas are usually made with a light pilsner like Corona, but you can use a dark beer like Negra Modelo if you prefer.
  • To rim the glasses: Mix 2 tablespoons of coarse or kosher salt and 1 tablespoon of chili powder. Wet the rims of the beer glasses with a wedge of lime and dip the rims into the chili salt.
  • Tomatoey Michelada: Like a beery Bloody Mary. Add 1/2 cup Clamato or tomato juice to the above recipe.
  • Other possible additions: A dash of soy sauce or Maggi seasoning; a shot of tequila.

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