This is the full, from-scratch Michelada: a salt-and-Tajin rimmed glass, a from-scratch tomato juice mix seasoned with lime, Worcestershire, soy sauce and a little Maggi and celery salt, then a Mexican lager poured slowly over the top.
Building the seasoning mix in a separate pitcher first, rather than adding everything straight into the serving glass, is what keeps the ratios consistent if you are making more than one at a time. Modelo Especial or Dos Equis both work well as the beer, and either pours in gradually for less foam or all at once if you like more head on it.
Garnish with whatever you have on hand: a lime wedge and celery stalk cover the basics, and pickled jalapenos or a cucumber slice both work if you want extra crunch.
| Style | Full-build savory Michelada |
| Base beer | Modelo Especial or Dos Equis |
| Key mixer | 1 cup tomato juice, lime, Worcestershire, soy sauce |
| Serves | 1 |
How to Make It
Michelada Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Tall Glass A tall glass, such as a pint glass or Collins glass, is typically used for serving Micheladas. It should have enough capacity to accommodate the cocktail along with ice and garnishes.
- 3 Small Plates You'll need a couple of small plates to rim the glass with salt and Tajín or chili powder. These plates should be wide enough to fit the rim of the glass.
- 1 Knife and Cutting Board You'll need a knife and cutting board to cut the lime into wedges for juicing and for any optional garnishes like cucumber slices.
- 1 Pitcher or Mixing Glass A pitcher or a large mixing glass will be useful for combining the tomato juice, lime juice, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and other seasonings. This will allow you to easily mix the ingredients before pouring them into the serving glass.
- 1 Stirring Spoon A long stirring spoon or a bar spoon will help you mix the ingredients thoroughly in the pitcher or mixing glass.
- 1 Ice Cube Tray If you prefer your Michelada chilled, an ice cube tray will be needed to freeze ice cubes. Alternatively, you can use pre-made ice cubes from your freezer.
Ingredients
- 1 Lime
- Salt (for rimming the glass)
- Tajín or chili powder (optional, for rimming the glass)
- Ice cubes
- 1 Mexican lager beer (such as Modelo Especial or Dos Equis)
- 1 cup Tomato juice
- 2 tbsp Lime juice freshly squeezed
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp Soy sauce
- 1/2 tsp Maggi seasoning (optional)
- 1/ tsp Celery salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Lime wedges, celery stalk, pickled jalapeños, cucumber slices (optional garnishes)
Instructions
Michelada Prepping
- Begin by rimming a tall glass with salt.
- Squeeze the juice of the lime onto a small plate.
- In another plate, spread out some Tajín or chili powder.
- Dip the rim of the glass into the lime juice and then into the Tajín or chili powder, coating the rim evenly. Set aside.
- Fill the glass with ice cubes, leaving some room at the top for the beer.
Michelada Seasoning
- In a separate pitcher, combine the tomato juice, freshly squeezed lime juice, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, Maggi seasoning (if using), celery salt, and a pinch of black pepper.
- Stir well to combine and adjust the seasonings according to your taste preferences.
- You can add more hot sauce for extra spiciness or adjust the acidity with lime juice.
Making the Michelada Cocktail
- Pour the tomato juice mixture over the ice in the prepared glass, filling it about halfway.
- Slowly pour the Mexican lager beer into the glass, allowing it to mix with the tomato juice. You can pour it in all at once or gradually, depending on how much foam you prefer.
- Give the cocktail a gentle stir to combine the flavors.
- Optionally, garnish the glass with a lime wedge, a celery stalk, pickled jalapeños, or cucumber slices.
- Serve the Michelada immediately and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Lime Juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice is key to achieving a bright and tangy flavor in the Michelada. It’s best to use fresh limes rather than bottled lime juice for the best taste.
- Rimming the Glass: Rimming the glass with salt and Tajín or chili powder adds an extra layer of flavor and enhances the presentation. If you can’t find Tajín, you can use any chili powder of your choice.
- Adjusting Seasonings: The recipe provides general measurements for hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and other seasonings. Feel free to adjust these according to your personal taste preferences. Add more hot sauce for extra spiciness or increase the acidity with additional lime juice.
- Choosing the Beer: Traditional Mexican lager beers like Modelo Especial, Dos Equis, or Corona work well in a Michelada. However, you can experiment with other light beers or even try craft beers to customize the flavor to your liking.
- Maggi Seasoning: Maggi seasoning is an optional ingredient that adds depth of flavor to the Michelada. It has a savory and slightly sweet taste. If you don’t have Maggi seasoning, you can omit it or replace it with a dash of soy sauce or extra Worcestershire sauce.
- Garnishes: While not necessary, garnishes can add extra visual appeal and flavor to your Michelada. Lime wedges, celery stalks, pickled jalapeños, or cucumber slices are standard garnish options. Feel free to get creative and use your favorite toppings.
- Experiment and Customize: Micheladas are a versatile cocktail, and you can adjust the ingredients and ratios to suit your preferences. Some variations include adding Clamato juice (a blend of tomato juice and clam broth), using different hot sauces or spices, or incorporating additional ingredients like clam juice or Mexican seasoning blends.
- Serve Fresh: Micheladas are best enjoyed fresh. As the beer can lose its carbonation over time, it’s ideal to prepare and serve the cocktail right away for the best taste and experience.
Want more beer picks for the summer? Check our best beer for a Michelada guides.
Beers Worth Trying in This One
Gear That Helps
Making a batch for a crowd? A beverage dispenser from our shop keeps a pre-mixed pitcher cold and ready to pour.
FAQ
Why mix the seasoning in a separate pitcher first?
It keeps the ratios even if you are making more than one drink, and it is easier to taste and adjust the mix before it is diluted by ice and beer in the serving glass.
Is Maggi seasoning required?
No, it is listed as optional. It adds a savory, slightly umami note similar to a light soy sauce, so leave it out if you cannot find it without changing the recipe much.
What is the best beer for a Michelada?
A light Mexican lager: Modelo Especial and Dos Equis are both named in this build, and Corona Extra or Victoria work as well.
More beer cocktails: see the full Beer Cocktails guide for every recipe in this collection.
