How to make a Michelada that is well balanced, a bit spicy, and completely refreshing. This classic beer cocktail is made with tomato juice, hot sauce, Worcestershire, a juiced lime, and Mexican beer. Easy to make and even easier to drink.
I’m not a huge beer drinker. Every once in a while, on a super hot day or when eating really spicy food, I’ll get the urge for an ice cold beer (usually with lime and salt) but that’s about it.
A michelada, on the other hand, is beer I can get behind. I’m almost positive it is why tomato juice was created, because let’s be honest, why would anyone drink that stuff on its own?

In addition to the tomato juice, the base to a michelada has fresh-squeezed lime juice for tartness, funky Worcestershire sauce for depth, something spicy (usually hot sauce) and of course, beer.
The flavorings on the rim of the glass are also key. Many people rub the lime wedge around the rim and dip it in a salt mixture. My friend Aida, turned me on to using honey to rim the glass and I’ve never looked back—it is essential to the perfect michelada.
What is a Michelada?

If you’ve ever been to Mexico City, or heck, a Dodger’s game, you’ve seen a michelada on display.
It is a beer cocktail, which many compare to a Bloody Mary made with beer instead of vodka. It is served in a salt rimmed glass and, with the tomato juice added, is sometimes called an Ojo Rojo.
How To Make a Michelada

So whether you are making one or an entire pitcher the method is pretty much the same. First you combine the michelada mix (which you can do up to a day in advance) and then add the beer.
- Prepare the mix. Combine tomato juice (or Clamato juice) lime juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, soy sauce, black pepper, celery salt. If you are making one drink do this in a cocktail shaker with ice. If you are scaling up the recipe to make several drinks, stir everything together in a pitcher.
- Pour honey onto a small plate. Dip the rim of a cold pint glass in the honey very lightly. If you use too much honey it will just drip down the glass and make a mess. You barely want to cover the rim.
- Dip the honeyed rim into another small plate of Tajín or a combination of salt and chili powder.
- Add ice to the glass if you’d want (I like ice in mine). Fill halfway with the mix and top with beer. Stir and enjoy!

More cocktail recipes to try!
- Campari Wine Spritzer
- Blood Orange Beergarita Recipe
- Spicy Raspberry Jalapeño Margarita
- Fresh Tomato Michelada with Tamarind
- Cucumber Mezcal Margarita
- The Best Spicy Jalapeño Michelada
- The Original Cadillac Margarita
The Beer Cocktail That’ll Help You Love Beer
And tomato juice. I hope you enjoy this simple michelada recipe! When you make it, snap a pic and tag me on Instagram @holajalapeno and #holajalapeno so I can see or leave me a comment below (don’t forget to leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating) ! Also, make sure to sign up for my weekly newsletter, lots of recipe tips and other good stuff there too!

Michelada {Mexican Beer Cocktail}
How to make a Michelada that is well balanced, a bit spicy, and completely refreshing. This classic beer cocktail is made with tomato juice, hot sauce, Worcestershire, a juiced lime, and Mexican beer. Easy to make and even easier to drink.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon honey, for the rim
- 2 teaspoons Tajín, for the rim
- 1/4 cup tomato juice, chilled
- Juice of 1 lime, plus another lime cut in slices for garnish
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (I like Valentina)
- 1/4 teaspoon celery salt
- A few grinds of black pepper
- 1 (12-ounce) bottle cold pale ale or amber beer
- Tamarind candy straws, optional
Instructions
- Rim the glass. Spoon the honey onto a small plate. Spread the Tajín on a separate small plate. Dip the rim of a cold pint glass into the honey very gently. You don't want too much honey on the rim or it will just drip down the glass. If the glass is cold it will also prevent it from dripping, so it is a good idea to keep pint glasses in your freezer. After you dip it in the honey, dip it in the Tajín to coat. Fill glass with ice, if desired and set aside.
- Make the mix. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine the tomato juice, lime juice, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, hot sauce, celery salt, and black pepper. Shake vigorously until the outside of the shaker is beaded with water.
- Add beer. Strain mix into prepared glass, top with beer and stir. Garnish with a lime slice and tamarind candy straw and enjoy!
Notes
The recipe can easily be scaled up to make a pitcher. Multiply all the ingredients by 4 to make 4 drinks and stir together in a pitcher instead of a cocktail shaker.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 253Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 2561mgCarbohydrates: 39gFiber: 5gSugar: 13gProtein: 4g
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