Micheladas are Mexico's favorite drink! Like much of the country's cuisine, it's savory, spicy and full of lime and tartness - and it makes for an incredible hangover cure.
The michelada is made in many different ways all over the country's 31 states, and it's commonly sipped on the beach and can be accompanied with fresh seafood. Micheladas usually contain beer, clamato juice (pre-mixed tomato and clam juice), Worcestershire sauce, lime, Maggi seasoning sauce, Tajín seasoning and hot sauce. It's got a similar flavor to Bloody Caesars or Bloody Marys, but fizzy and light from the beer and intensely sippable. It's impossible not to have a second one once you've drained your first.
There are many conflicting stories that tell of the michelada's origin. Some trace it back to General Don Augusto Michel of the Mexican Revolution of 1910, and others credit its invention to a man from San Luis Potosí named Michel Ésper. Other say it's just an amalgamation of Mexican slang.
Whatever its origin, we love it! They've become a huge part of Mexican drinking culture, and it's the go-to drink for many.
If you're having a party, you can make a big pitcher of all the ingredients except the beer, and serve it up in half-full glasses with ice alongside a cold bottle of your favorite brew. The guests can then pour the beer in as they please, diluting the strong, savory, bright-red mixture with some golden bubbles.
The classic michelada is made with all of the ingredients mentioned above. It's just fantastic and you can adjust seasoning as much as you want to suit your tastes.
The most basic michelada is actually called a chelada, and it's just beer with lime served over ice in a glass with a salted rim. It's basically just an extra-refreshing beer, like a radler but without the sweetness.
If you want to add even more joy into a michelada, add lots of cooked shrimp and maybe a fresh oyster or two. Don't question it - it works. The brininess of the seafood enhances the flavor of the whole drink.
Make a michelada today! Make a few. Tuesdays are tough... and you made it through.
