Here’s how to make the best Micheladas, also known as red beer. It’s a savory beer drink, served with ice, lime, hot sauce and tomato juice. They are super refreshing on a hot summer evening.

Two glasses of Michelada's on a black tray next to hot sauce, lime wedges and beer bottles

What Is A Michelada

A Michelada is a tomato-based beer cocktail that originated in Mexico. I remember the first time I ever heard about them. We were down in Texas for my cousin Mariah’s wedding, and my older sister Jessie ordered one at the bar. Upon first inspection, it seemed as if he was mixing a Bloody Mary. Sort of, there was tomato juice at least. Tabasco and Worcestershire too. But that’s where the similarities stop. It was not really like a Bloody Mary at all.

For starters, the bartender salted the rim of the glass. It also departs from the realm of the Bloody Mary in that there was no horseradish. There was no lemon (micheladas are made with lime only.) The other glaring difference is that, when you’d expect the bottle of vodka to appear, the bartender poured in a bottle of Corona beer! He set the frothy red beer on the bar, gave it a stir, and set the three-quarter-empty bottle of beer on the counter next to it. My sister says that the tradition of serving the remaining beer with it is du rigor for a proper Michelada.

Two glasses of Michelada's on a black tray next to hot sauce, lime wedges, spoon and beer bottles

Why We Love This Best Michelada Recipe

Friends, you really need to try one of these red beers. I am telling you, they are a delight on a hot summer evening. I delight in their icy, salty, sudsy goodness. They can really hit the spot!

Jessie and I played around with the level of heat, at first with just ¼ teaspoon of Tabasco in each one. But since we have Texas blood runnin’ in our veins, we both agreed that ¾ teaspoons per glass- and the resulting tingling lips each sip brings, was much more delicious. Ultimately, I am going to leave it up to you, and I just put a range in the recipe.

Key Ingredients For Making Micheladas at Home

Limes

The tart, acidic flavor of limes adds a fresh lightness to the overall flavor profile of this cocktail and pairs well with the tomato juice and beer.

Worchestershire Sauce

Worchestershire sauce is a fermented condiment made from vinegar, anchovies, molasses, tamarind and other spices. It adds an awesome umami flavor.

Tabasco

A few dashes of Tabasco adds a welcome heat to this refreshing drink.

Clamato or Tomato Juice

Clamato juice is a blend of tomato and clam juice. Or you can use a plain tomato juice, V8 or even spicy V8. Either works well in this cocktail adding a rich acidity and viscous texture to balance the beer and other ingredients.

Lager Beer

The best beer is something light and refreshing. Mexican beers like Corona, Sol, Modelo Light or Tecate are perfect options. You can also use a light beer if you want fewer calories.

Other Ingredients For This Recipe

  • coarse salt for rims of glasses
  • ice to fill two glasses
Two glasses of Michelada's on a black tray next to hot sauce, lime wedges and beer bottles

Step By Step Instructions For This Red Beer Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the glass.

Run lime half on rims of glasses to moisten. Place salt on a plate. Dip rims into salt, and shake off any extra.

Step 2: Add the remaining ingredients to the glasses and mix.

Squeeze one whole lime into each glass. Add 4 dashes Worcestershire to each glass. Add Tabasco to each glass. Add Clamato juice, dividing evenly. Top with ice. Fill to the top with beer. Stir to mix. Serve with the remaining beer on the side.

Two glasses of Michelada's on a black tray next to hot sauce, lime wedges and beer bottles

FAQs and Expert Tips

What is the difference between a Michelada and Chelada?

Both are beer-based drinks served over ice. A Michelada is a tomato-based beer cocktail that also had tabasco and Worcestershire sauce. A Chelada is simply beer, lime and salt.

Is a Michelada the same as a Bloody Mary?

Although they are often referred to as a Mexican Bloody Mary a Michelada differs from a Bloody Mary because it features beer in place of the vodka traditionally used in Bloody Marys.

What beer is good for Micheladas?

The best beer for mixing a Michelada is a light lager. Mexican beers like Corona, Sol, Modelo Light or Tecate are perfect options. Caribbean beers like Pacifico and Carib work really well too. If you cannot find one of these look for another light lager or Pilsner like Heineken or Peroni.

More Tips For the best Micheladas

  • Go with Clamato for it’s savory flavor and thinner texture than V8 or tomato. You might think that’s icky because it contains MSG, but the whole MSG thing was debunked years ago.
  • Be generous with the lime. If your lime is particularly un-juicy, use two rather than one.
  • Some micheladas are made with only lime, no Clamato or tomato. They’re good, but I prefer the red.
  • Try a little lime zest along with salt on the rim. Also if you have it try guisano powder. (It’s great on margaritas too.) It’s made from ground agave worms, chiles and lime. It has a spicy, salty, meaty taste that’s amazing. It’s a specialty in Oaxaca and often served with mezcal, but it’s great on the michie as well.
  • Try other hot sauces besides Tabasco. And try other beers, though I don’t recommend a hoppier beer for this application.

Additional Cocktail Recipes To Try:

Thanks so much for reading! If you are new here, you may want to sign up for my email newsletter to get a free weekly menu plan and the latest recipes right to your inbox. If you make this recipe, please come back and leave a star rating and review. I would love to hear what you thought!

Happy Cooking! ~Katie

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Here’s how to make killer michelads by Healthy Seasonal Recipes, also known as red beer. It’s a savory Tex Mex beer cocktail, served with ice, lime, hot sauce and tomato juice.

Best Homemade Micheladas Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 5 reviews

  • Author: Katie Webster
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 2 servings 1x

Description

Here’s how to make killer micheladas, also known as red beer. It’s a savory beer drink, served with ice, lime, hot sauce and tomato juice. They are super refreshing on a hot summer evening.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 2 limes, cut in half
  • coarse salt for rims of glasses
  • 8 shakes Worcestershire sauce
  • Tabasco sauce, to taste (about 1/2 teaspoon each glass)
  • 2/3 cup Clamato Juice or tomato juice
  • ice to fill two glasses
  • 2 Corona Extra beers or other light-colored lager

Instructions

  1. Run lime half on rims of glasses to moisten. Place salt on a plate. Dip rims into salt, and shake off any extra.
  2. Squeeze one whole lime into each glass. Add 4 dashes Worcestershire to each glass. Add Tabasco to each glass. Add Clamato juice, dividing evenly. Top with ice. Fill to the top with beer. Stir to mix. Serve with the remaining beer on the side.

Notes

Best Beer For Micheladas:

The best beer is something light and refreshing. Mexican beers like Corona, Sol, Modelo Light or Tecate are perfect options.

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Category: Cocktail
  • Method: No Cook
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cocktail
  • Calories: 183
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 933 mg
  • Fat: 0 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 22 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 2 g
michelada in two glasses with a salted rim
photo collage with text