If you aren’t familiar with micheladas, think of them as a beer-based Mexican version of the Bloody Mary. It’s the perfect Cinco de Mayo cocktail and once you fall in love with this spicy, unexpectedly refreshing drink, it just may become your favorite summer cocktail. First you need to know how to make the Classic Michelada, with tomato juice, lime juice, hot sauce, beer and salt to rim the glass. Ingrid Hoffmann’s recipe keeps it even simpler by skipping the tomato juice.
Once you’ve got that down the variations are virtually endless. Some are practically meals while others stick to wetting your whistle. Here are some of our favorites.
Spicy Mango Micheladas
These feature V-8 juice, ginger and a few different types of peppers give them an extra kick. Spicy mango skewers are the best part and just to keep the heat going, the glasses are rimmed with lime juice, Del Viejo Datil Pepper Spice and chili powder instead of salt.
Read Related: The New Spicy & Savory Summer Cocktails to Try this Season
Sriracha-Lada
As you may have guessed from the name, Sriracha is the featured spice, helped along by Worstershire. Just add beer, lime and salt.
Big Game Michelada
Clamato is another popular michelada ingredient. The rest is beer, Jugo Maggie and Worstershire sauces with a sprinkle of Tajin. The glasses are rimmed with lime, salt and Tajin.
Mexican Michelada
This version uses dark beer, a dash of soy sauce and chipotle for a deeper, richer color and flavor.
Michelada con Camarones
Now this is how to make a michelada that you can sink your teeth into. It’s literally a shrimp cocktail. Garlic, serrano chile and Clamato create the perfect seafood sensation.
Michelada con Tequila y Sangrita
Now this has some serious bite! This is definitely a sipping drink if you want to remember your evening. Sangrita, tequila and beer…oh my!
Blackberry Michelada
For a slightly sweeter — but no less potent — cocktail, this recipe calls for blackberry puree, beer and habanero infused vodka.
Puesto’s Red Michelada
Roasted jalapeños, onion and orange juice result in a slightly more refreshing and complex drink. This recipe is from the Puesto restaurant in San Diego.
Smoked Tomato Michelada Popsicle
That’s right, savory smoked tomato popsicles are the garnish for this one. So awesome for the dog days of summer!
Chelada
Finally, here’s a michelada for those who don’t love spicy drinks. It’s simply ice, beer, lemon juice and salt.
