It’s Cinco De Mayo! You best believe I am treating myself to a gallon of michelada and so should you!

Remember my piece on the Canadian cocktail called “Caesar” and how much I adore it. I mean I have to, I am Canadian after all! Well behold, this is the Michelada, the Mexican cousin of my beloved Canadian Caesar.

What is Michelada?

A michelada is a Mexican drink made with beer, lime juice, hot sauce, spices, tomato juice or clamato, and chile peppers. It is served in a chilled, salt-rimmed glass. There are numerous variations of this beverage throughout Mexico. There are several other optional ingredients, such as Maggi sauce, soy sauce, Tajín, Worcestershire sauce, chamoy powder, serrano peppers, camaronazo (a shrimp-based tomato juice), clamato, or slices of orange.

Difference between Michelada vs Caesar vs Bloody Mary

Michelada is made with beer and includes either tomato juice or clam juice or camaronazo.
Caesar is made with vodka and clamato. If tomato juice is substituted, you must include clam juice separately.
Bloody Mary is also made with vodka but only tomato juice. There is no clam juice, shrimp juice, clamato or camaronazo. Only good ol’ tomato juice.

I actually don’t care for bloody mary, it’s a little bit yuck. If I am going to have tomato juice, it better have some clam or shrampie juice in it!

Recipe | Serving Size: 1-2

Make Your Miche Mix First

Lime Juice - 1/2 a lime
Worcestershire Sauce - couple dashes
Maggi Sauce (optional) - couple dashes
Hot Sauce - 2 tsp or as much as your heart desires! I love using Tapatio or Cholula. Keep it authentic, Keep it Mexican!
Clamato Picante - 16 oz

Combine all of the above in a mixing glass.

It’s Time!

Lime Juice or Chamoy, if you really wanna be extra authentic!
Tajin

Rim your glass. I like using a big pint glass because honestly, I know I said this is for 2 people but I can drink all of this by myself.

Ice
Miche Mix - 16 oz
Beer, preferably Modelo - 1 bottle

Fill the prepared pint glass about three-quarters full with ice cubes. Then add the miche mix half way and top off the other half with beer. If you are making this for two, split the michelada mix and beer in half for each person.

I like to garnish it with some spicy grilled shrimp and jalapeno but do what your heart desires. The garnish options are literally endless — cucumber, lime, celery, pineapple, watermelon, tamarindo (Mexican candy), crab legs, battered and fried shrimp, oysters and on it goes. People really be taking it to a crazy level, as if it’s a whole meal. So go crazy! Or you can keep it simple and add a slice of lime. Just make sure to have a good time and enjoy. Salud!