Name: Michelada
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 2
Ingredients: 2 Tbsp. Chili-lime seasoning (such as Tajín) or chili powder; 1 tsp. sea salt; 2 lime wedges; Ice; 1 1/2 cups (12 oz.) tomato or Clamato juice; 1/4 cup fresh lime juice; 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce; 2 tsp. soy sauce; 2 tsp. hot sauce; 12 oz. light Mexican beer

Southern Living Michelada in glasses to serve, garnished with lime wedges — Credit:
Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Active Time:

5 mins

Total Time:

5 mins

Servings:

If you're a beer drinker through and through and reluctant to expand your canned or on-tap horizons, then you're in luck—there are a bevy of brewski-based cocktails worthy of stepping out of your comfort zone. Perhaps one of the most delicious of the bunch is a Michelada, also known as a Mexican Bloody Mary.

A Michelada takes all of the tang, spice, and brine of the beloved brunch-time staple, but swaps its signature vodka for a light Mexican ale. It’s the perfect complement to eggs, pancakes, and hot gossip as you catch up with friends and recover from a night where you had maybe a little too much fun.

In fact, it’s touted as one of the best hair-of-the-dog hangover cures by bartenders from all over the world. So ditch your go-to bottle, and give it a shot. You may have just found your new favorite weekend libation.

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Ingredients

2 Tbsp. Chili-lime seasoning (such as Tajín) or chili powder
1 tsp. sea salt
2 lime wedges
Ice
1 1/2 cups (12 oz.) tomato or Clamato juice
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
2 tsp. soy sauce
2 tsp. hot sauce
12 oz. light Mexican beer

Directions

Make seasoning mix:

Combine salt and Tajin (or chili powder) in a shallow dish.

Credit:
Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Coat glass rims in lime juice:

Slice the center of lime wedges and use to rub the rims of two highball glasses. Set lime wedges aside to use for garnish.

Credit:
Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Add seasoning to rims:

Dip the glasses into the salt and seasoning mixture.

Credit:
Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Fill the glasses with ice.

Credit:
Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Make tomato juice mixture:

Combine the tomato (or Clamato) juice, fresh lime juice, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and hot sauce into a mixing glass or glass measuring cup. Mix well. Divide evenly between the glasses.

Credit:
Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Add beer:

Slowly pour light Mexican beer into each glass so that it doesn’t bubble over.

Credit:
Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Stir gently to mix.

Credit:
Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Serve:

Garnish with lime wedges.

Credit:
Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Michelada Ingredients

A basic Michelada is made with just three ingredients: beer, lime juice, and tomato juice.

But for the ultimate in flavor and enjoyment, this recipe for a Michelada (and most everything you'll find at a bar) takes the ingredient list a few steps further:

Chili-lime seasoning: You can DIY this by mixing cayenne, lime zest, and salt, or reach for a bottle of Tajin. You'll find many delicious ways to use this pre-mixed chili-lime seasoning, we promise. (Like this grilled watermelon recipe.)
Salt: To mix with the chili-lime seasoning and boost the salt flavor of the cocktail.
Lime wedges: For garnish and to help stick the spicy seasoning to the beer glass.
Clamato juice (or tomato juice): Either will work, but Clamato juice has a bit more richness and tang to it.
Lime juice: To enhance the brightness of the beer cocktail.
Worcestershire: This adds salt and a rich umami flavor.
Soy sauce: This boosts the saltiness.
Hot sauce: Any hot sauce you like works here, but we love a Louisiana-style hot sauce.
Mexican beer: Pick your favorite. Sol, Tecate, and Corona are all great.

Southern Living Michelada ingredients — Credit:
Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

What is Clamato juice?

Clamato juice is like a revved up tomato juice. In addition to tomato juice, it has spices and clam broth—hence the name (clam + tomato = Clamato). Many people drink the juice by itself, but it also makes a great addition to cocktails like Bloody Marys and Micheladas.

Variations

You can make the Michelada a bit more tailored to your tastes with these tips:

Skip the tomato juice: A Michelada without tomato juice, Worcestershire, and soy sauce is called a chelada. It's essentially just a beer with lots of lime juice and a spicy rim. It's equally delicious if you're not a fan of tomato juice.
Change up beers: If you tried your favorite light beer in this cocktail, consider another. Mexican beers like Modelo Light, Sol, and Tecate are delicious in this cocktail.
Go hotter: Or go tamer. You can add as little or as much hot sauce to your drink as you want.

How To Make Micheladas for a Crowd

If you've got a crew coming over later, you can pre-mix the tomato juice mixture for Micheladas. Then, pour the tomato juice mixture into a glass with beer as people are ready to drink. Making the beer cocktail too early might leave the beer a bit flat and the drink a little less than excellent.