Michelada is a beer cocktail of low strength (1,5-2% vol.) with a sharp tomato-citrus flavor and hot notes of red pepper. In Mexico, Michelada is used as a hangover remedy and an alcoholic drink for drivers (the country has a non-zero rate of alcohol while driving), they drink it in the morning or in the middle of the day. In fact, this is a kind of Mexican Bloody Mary.
Historical information
Mexicans have always drunk beer with spices and lime juice. Later, foamy alcohol began to be diluted with tomato and orange juice, but it never occurred to anyone to isolate this into a separate drink.
The Michelada cocktail became popular in Mexico in the 40s. The exact time of appearance, the author of the recipe and the essence of the name are unknown. In Mexican slang, “chela” is beer, and “mix” is a mixture of different sauces. According to another version, the name “Michelada” appeared due to the phrase “mi chela helada”, which translates as “my cold beer”. The third version says that the author of the recipe was a certain Miguel, in whose honor the cocktail was first named Miguelada, but over time the name was transformed into a modern one.
In fact, Michelada is not a cocktail with a well-formed composition and proportions of ingredients. A more or less traditional version uses lager beer, tomato and lime juices, and red pepper sauces. Some variations additionally include orange or pineapple juice, ground black pepper, salt, pieces of fruit and even celery.
Michelada cocktail recipe
Composition and proportions:
- light beer (American lager) – 0,33 l;
- tomato juice – 15-25 ml;
- lime – 1 piece;
- Tabasco sauce – 2-3 drops (optional);
- Worcestershire sauce – 2-3 drops (optional)
- oyster or soy sauce – 2-3 teaspoons (optional);
- salt – to decorate the glass.
A lager beer is often used in a cocktail, the best option is Corona Mexican beer or another American lager. Michelada on dark or bitter beer is too harsh to taste. Lime and tomato juices are required ingredients, and the classic composition should also contain at least one sauce with red hot pepper, all other ingredients can be added at your discretion.
Preparation
1. Lubricate the rim of a beer glass with a lime wedge and dip in salt (can be mixed with black pepper) to create a rim of salt.
2. Pour cold tomato juice into a glass, squeeze the juice of one lime, add sauces and other ingredients. Mix.
3. Pour well-chilled beer in a thin stream. You can gently mix again (a lot of foam will appear) to obtain a uniform consistency. Garnish with a lime wedge if desired. Serve without a straw, drink in sips.
A slightly different variation of Michelada’s cooking is shown in the video.
