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Michelada (Mexican Beer and Lime Cocktail)

By Annie Petito

Published on May 29, 2018

Time

15 minutes

Yield

Makes 4 Cocktails

Michelada (Mexican Beer and Lime Cocktail)

Ingredients

Kosher salt ¼ teaspoon chili powder 1 cup lime juice (8 limes), plus lime wedges for serving8 teaspoons hot sauce, plus extra for serving2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 4 (12-ounce) Mexican beer, chilled

Before You Begin

Use a well-chilled Mexican lager. Our favorite is Tecate, but Corona Extra or Modelo will also work. We recommend Cholula or Tapatío hot sauces for their flavor and thicker consistencies. If using a thinner, vinegary hot sauce such as Tabasco, which is spicier, start with half the amount called for and adjust to your taste after mixing. Do not use bottled lime juice here.

Instructions

  1. Combine 2 teaspoons salt and chili powder on small plate and spread into even layer. Rub rims of 4 pint glasses with 1 lime wedge to moisten, then dip rims into salt mixture to coat. Set aside glasses.
  2. Combine lime juice, hot sauce, Worcestershire, and ¼ teaspoon salt in 2-cup liquid measuring cup, stirring to dissolve salt. Fill prepared glasses with ice cubes and divide lime juice mixture evenly among glasses. Fill glasses with beer. Serve with lime wedges, extra hot sauce, and remaining beer, topping off glasses as needed.
Michelada (Mexican Beer and Lime Cocktail)
Photography by Keller + Keller.

Michelada (Mexican Beer and Lime Cocktail)

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Time

15 minutes

Yield

Makes 4 Cocktails

Ingredients

Kosher salt
¼ teaspoon chili powder
1 cup lime juice (8 limes), plus lime wedges for serving
8 teaspoons hot sauce, plus extra for serving
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
4 (12-ounce) Mexican beer, chilled

Ingredients

Kosher salt
¼ teaspoon chili powder
1 cup lime juice (8 limes), plus lime wedges for serving
8 teaspoons hot sauce, plus extra for serving
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
4 (12-ounce) Mexican beer, chilled

Ingredients

Kosher salt
¼ teaspoon chili powder
1 cup lime juice (8 limes), plus lime wedges for serving
8 teaspoons hot sauce, plus extra for serving
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
4 (12-ounce) Mexican beer, chilled

Why This Recipe Works

For this classic Mexican cocktail made with beer, lime, and savory seasonings, we found that a full ¼ cup of lime juice per drink was key. To balance the lime, we added doses of Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce, finding that a thicker hot sauce added a bit of body. To ensure that everything is blended, we combine the flavorful base ingredients before pouring in the beer.

Before You Begin

Use a well-chilled Mexican lager. Our favorite is Tecate, but Corona Extra or Modelo will also work. We recommend Cholula or Tapatío hot sauces for their flavor and thicker consistencies. If using a thinner, vinegary hot sauce such as Tabasco, which is spicier, start with half the amount called for and adjust to your taste after mixing. Do not use bottled lime juice here.

Instructions

  1. Combine 2 teaspoons salt and chili powder on small plate and spread into even layer. Rub rims of 4 pint glasses with 1 lime wedge to moisten, then dip rims into salt mixture to coat. Set aside glasses.
  2. Combine lime juice, hot sauce, Worcestershire, and ¼ teaspoon salt in 2-cup liquid measuring cup, stirring to dissolve salt. Fill prepared glasses with ice cubes and divide lime juice mixture evenly among glasses. Fill glasses with beer. Serve with lime wedges, extra hot sauce, and remaining beer, topping off glasses as needed.

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