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Cocktail History
The Michelada is a classic cocktail of unknown origin that is believed to have been created in the mid-1900s in Mexico. It’s based on the iconic hangover cure, the Bloody Mary, and its recipe is similar because it still calls for tomato juice and citrus. What makes it unique is its use of Mexican beer as the base spirit, hot sauce for more spiciness, and a salt and pepper rim that adds a pleasant savoriness.
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Mexican Beer: This is a type of beer made with malted barley, corn or other adjunct grains, hops, water, and yeast, which are brewed and fermented to develop a light, crisp flavor.
Tomato Juice: This is the liquid juice of a tomato. I used freshly squeezed tomato juice.
Lime Juice: This is the liquid extracted from the flesh of ripe limes that has a zesty, sour flavor and light green color.
Hot Sauce: This is a condiment made with chili peppers, vinegar, salt, and additional spices or fruits, which are blended and cooked into a sauce with a spicy, flavorful heat.
Salt: This is a mineral composed of sodium chloride that has a granulated, crystal texture and savory flavor.
Ground Black Pepper: This is a spice made with dried and ground peppercorns that has a fine texture and sharp, pungent flavor.
Lime Slice: This is a slice of lime that has been cut into a half wheel shape.
Bartending Tools
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:
Jigger: This is used to measure and pour ingredients. I used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Paring Knife: This is used to cut citrus into slices or wheels. I used the OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Paring Knife.
Juicer: This is used to juice citrus, fruits, and vegetables. I used the ALEEHAI Manual Fruit Juicer.
Bar Spoon: This is used to stir ingredients. I used the Barfly Stainless Steel Teardrop Bar Spoon.
Tasting Notes
This cocktail has the following flavor profile:
• Appearance: Vibrant orange-red color
• Aroma: Tangy lime, pepper, and tomato
• Taste: Savory tomato and citrus flavor with malty beer flavor
• Finish: Hot pepper and tomato
Kendall’s Take: “I suffer from occasional heartburn, so I have to watch my intake of tomato-heavy foods and drinks. And since this cocktail also calls for hot sauce, I unfortunately knew I wouldn’t be able to have more than a couple of sips of the Michelada without needing to pop a Pepcid. What I did try was pretty tasty though! Although similar, this is much lighter and even more refreshing than a Bloody Mary, in my opinion. If you like those and enjoy beer, this one’s worth trying.”
Recipe
This cocktail recipe was adapted from The Essential Cocktail Book: A Complete Guide to Modern Drinks by the editors of PUNCH and Megan Krigbaum.
Michelada
Description
The Michelada is a classic cocktail of unknown origin that is believed to have been created in the mid-1900s in Mexico. It's based on the iconic hangover cure, the Bloody Mary, and its recipe is similar because it still calls for tomato juice and citrus. What makes it unique is its use of Mexican beer as the base spirit, hot sauce for more spiciness, and a salt and pepper rim that adds a pleasant savoriness.
Ingredients
Method
Mix salt and black pepper on a plate, rub outer rim of a beer glass with lime rind, and roll rim of glass in salt and pepper mixture until rim is coated.
Fill salt and pepper-rimmed beer glass with cracked ice.
Add tomato juice, lime juice, and hot sauce to glass.
Top with beer.
Using a bar spoon, stir for 3-5 seconds.
Garnish with lime slice.
