Beer is great. And so are cocktails. But, do beer cocktails make the cut? Controversial opinion, but beer cocktails are just as delicious as beer or cocktails individually. Most beer cocktails don’t enjoy the spotlight they deserve. One of them is the sweet and spicy Mexican concoction – Michelada. Think of it like a Bloody Mary but with beer. This National Michelada Day, let’s dive deep into the hot and spicy world of the Mexican Michelada.
How Is A Michelada Made?
A Michelada is made with a LOT of ingredients, and most of them are spicy. There’s salt, cayenne pepper, ground black pepper, celery salt, and Tajin. There’s the tomato or Clamato juice (made with tomatoes and clam juice) that adds that rich, citrusy, tomato-ey flavor to tone down the spices. Not just that, there are two main sauces that bring out all that burning-hot flavor – Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco sauce. As the beer base, usually Mexican Lager beer is used to compliment the on-the-face flavor of the spices and tomato.
Here are the ingredients:
- 1 bottle of chilled Mexican Lager beer
- ½ ounces of freshly squeezed lime juice
- 2 ounces of tomato or Clamato juice
- 2 dashes of Worcestershire sauce
- 2 dashes of Tabasco sauce
- 1 pinch of ground black pepper
- 1 pinch of cayenne pepper
- 1 pinch of celery salt
- 1 pinch of salt
- Lime wedge (to garnish)
Let’s get to the making, roll up your sleeves!
Start by rimming the beer glass with Tajin and salt. Then, add the Clamato juice, lime juice, Worcestershire sauce, and Tabasco sauce. As the last step, top the drink with chilled Mexican beer. You can adjust the seasonings and the ratio of Clamato juice and beer as per your liking. Serve it at a family brunch, or just when you feel the need to have a glass full of Michelada.
Also Read: 6 Spicy Cocktails to Try Right Now
The Interesting Origins Of The Michelada
Even though there is ambiguity about the origins of this Mexican drink, there’s a version that is quite intriguing. Brace yourself for a dose of history!
This version is set against the backdrop of the initial wave of turmoil of the Mexican Revolution, in 1910. Mexican legends say that ‘El General’ Don Augusto Michel would visit a local Mexican bar with his troop of soldiers. In order to uplift their spirits, Michel would order them beer with hot sauce and lime. Eventually, the owner of the shop named the drink after Michel – ‘michel’ and chelada, or “cold one”.
The Mexicans nailed it when they coined the name for this drink. “Mi” translates to “mine,” “chela” is local slang for beer, and “ada” from “helada” means cold. Put it all together, and you have “my cold beer” – a perfect descriptor for this refreshing cocktail!
Also Read: Beginner’s Guide To Garnishing Cocktails
Variations Of The Michelada
The Michelada is a canvas to unleash your culinary freedom. With just the addition of a few ingredients, and slight tweaks here and there, you’ll have a delicious Michelada ready in no time! Here are a few variations of the Michelada that deserve some spotlight too.
Spicy Mango Michelada
This version of the Michelada combines the seemingly contrasting flavors of sweet mango with alcohol and spice. Simply blend mango chunks with agave syrup, lime juice, and chili powder. Mix it with chilled beer, and this tropical sweet-spicy drink is ready to tantalize some taste buds.
Michelada Verde
This tangy, green delight is easy to put together, and tastes like a dream. Just blend some tomatillos, lime juice, green chillies, and cilantro, and add it to your beer base. This is one way to eat your greens that most of us would not complain about!
Guava Chilli Michelada
Eating guava slices lightly coated with chili powder brings back a warm wave of childhood nostalgia. Simply muddle guava with lime juice and chili powder, and then add it to your chilled beer. Imagine relishing this drink on a warm, breezy afternoon by the pool!
Michelada del Diablo
What’s better than the classic Michelada? A Michelada with a splash of tequila. Just combine hot sauce, chili powder, lime juice, and some tequila and combine it with beer. No matter how experienced of a drinker you are, you aren’t prepared for this diabolically delicious drink.
Michelada de Piña Colada
This one’s for the indecisive gang. If you wish to combine the best of the both worlds, this hybrid of the Michelada and Piña Colada deserves to be on the top. Pineapple juice, coconut cream, and lime juice come together to blend into smooth beer, hitting all the right notes!
Also Read: 6 Beach-themed Cocktails That Are A Vacay Must-try
Michelada In Mexican Culture
Every culture has its own alcoholic drink that is so popular that it becomes inseparable from the culture itself. Similarly, the Michelada is deeply ingrained into Mexican culture. The streets of Mexico are lined with small carts selling Michelada in brightly colored, tall cups, mostly rimmed with salt and spices beforehand. It is incredibly popular in local Mexican bars or ‘cantina’. Michelada recipes are also passed down like family heirlooms, and might differ from family to family. The drink, apart from being casually served at almost no specified occasion or excuse, finds its way into Mexican culture as a drink that brings them together.
Also Read: 6 Beach-themed Cocktails That Are A Vacay Must-try
Michelada As A Hangover Cure
Many Mexicans believe that a Michelada is good for curing those nasty hangovers. The lime juice and spicy flavors are said to help reduce the heaviness of the hangover, while the umami of the hot sauces adds some much needed flavor. After binge episodes of drinking at the bar, waking up to the warm glass of Michelada is a luxury in itself. Whether or not it’s a good hangover cure, we’d recommend trying the cure before prevention!
Summing Up!
If you need a kick of hot flavors, coupled with the smoothness of beer, the Michelada is the perfect drink for you. This National Michelada Day, craft a Michelada from scratch with your friends and serve them with love. Even though the ingredients in a Michelada seem like they’d upset your stomach if eaten together, it’s only after you try it that you realize why Mexicans fell in love with it in the first place.
FAQs
Can I Use Any Type Of Beer For Micheladas?
Yes. While light beer is commonly used, one can experiment with different beer styles to find your perfect match.
Is The Michelada A Spicy Cocktail?
The spiciness of a Michelada is entirely up to you. You can tailor it to your taste, making it as mild or as fiery as you like by adjusting the amount of hot sauce and chili.
Can I Garnish A Michelada With Different Fruits And Herbs?
Yes. You can experiment with using different fruits and herbs as garnishes. Citrus slices, basil and cilantro garnishes, cucumber wheels are common garnishing options.
Is There Beer In A Bloody Mary?
The initial versions of the Bloody Mary, before it got its name, included only tomato juice and beer. However, most modern variations do not include beer.
Is A Tomatillo A Tomato?
Despite its name, a tomatillo isn’t a small green tomato. While they are distantly related, tomatillos and tomatoes are distinct plants and not the same.
Can Piña Colada Make Me Drunk?
Although a single piña colada would not make you drunk, drinking a few more glasses could make you drunk.
What Is Worcestershire Sauce Made Of?
Worcestershire sauce is a tangy, fermented condiment. Its foundation is vinegar, and it’s enriched with flavors like molasses, sugar, onion, garlic, tamarind, and anchovies. Depending on the brand, additional ingredients like lemon and soy sauce may be included to enhance its unique taste.
