Micheladas and clamatos: Mexican beer cocktails for summer

The michelada culture in Mexico

If there is one thing we Mexicans have mastered, it is the art of turning a beer into a complete culinary experience. The michelada is not simply a beer with lime and salt: it is a tradition that varies from state to state, from family to family, and that has become one of the most popular cocktails in the world.

In the UK, where beer culture is equally strong, micheladas are gaining ground in bars and beer gardens. And the best part: you can make spectacular versions at home with ingredients you find in any supermarket, complemented by a few Mexican products from specialist shops.

What exactly is a michelada?

The name “michelada” has several possible origins. Some say it comes from “mi chela helada” (my ice-cold beer), others attribute its creation to a man called Michel Esper in San Luis Potosí. Whatever its origin, the michelada is a drink that combines beer with citrus juices, hot sauces and seasonings, served in a frosted glass.

There are two main families of michelada:

• Classic michelada: beer, lime, salt, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco or Valentina sauce, and sometimes Maggi
• Prepared michelada (or clamato): all of the above plus tomato juice or clamato, and often prawns, chamoy or fruit

The perfect classic michelada

For a classic michelada that transports you straight to a Mexican beach, you need:

• 1 well-chilled lager (in the UK, a crisp lager works perfectly)
• The juice of 2 limes (in Mexico we use green lime)
• Coarse salt for the rim
• 2-3 drops of Worcestershire sauce
• 3-4 drops of Valentina sauce or Tabasco
• 1 dash of Maggi sauce (optional but recommended)
• Ice

The key is in rimming the glass. Do not use fine table salt: look for coarse salt, or better still, mix salt with chile piquín or Tajín. Run a lime wedge around the rim of the glass and dip it in the salt mixture. This detail marks the difference between a homemade michelada and a professional bar one.

The clamato: the tomato-juice version

The clamato is the more elaborate and substantial version. In Mexico, especially on the coasts, clamatos are prepared with such dedication that they become genuine liquid meals. The base is tomato juice (or the Clamato brand, which includes clam juice), and from there the possibilities are endless.

For a spectacular clamato:

• 150 ml of tomato juice or Clamato
• 1 lager
• The juice of 2 limes
• Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco, Maggi
• Salt, pepper
• Ice

The premium version includes cooked prawns, sliced cucumber, jícama, mango and chamoy on the rim of the glass. On the coasts of Sinaloa and Nayarit, clamatos have ground dried shrimp in the rim, which gives them an incredible umami flavour.

Regional variations you should try

Cubana michelada (Monterrey style)

In Monterrey, the michelada has a secret ingredient: orange juice. It is mixed with lime, Valentina sauce and dark beer. The result is a sweet-and-sour, refreshing drink that surprises everyone.

Seafood michelada (Sinaloa style)

This is practically a seafood cocktail with beer. It contains prawns, octopus, cucumber, red onion, avocado and a special dark sauce. It is served in enormous glasses and shared. It is perfect for summer gatherings in the UK.

Chavela (Jalisco style)

The chavela is the michelada's cousin: it has the same base ingredients but is made with dark beer (such as Negra Modelo, or a British dark ale). The result is more intense with smoky notes that pair perfectly with tacos al pastor.

Ojo rojo

The ojo rojo is the simplest version: just beer with tomato juice, a little lime and salt. It is the favourite hangover cure in Mexico (although there is no scientific evidence that it works, tradition rules).

Mexican ingredients you can find in the UK

To make authentic micheladas in the UK, these are the key ingredients you can find in Mexican shops:

• Tajín: the chilli, lime and salt blend that has gone viral worldwide
• Valentina sauce: available in many shops
• Chamoy: the sweet-and-sour fruit sauce that transforms any drink
• Chile piquín: for rimming glasses with authentic Mexican heat
• Clamato: the tomato-and-clam juice, available online
• Maggi sauce: available in most supermarkets

Pairing: what to eat with micheladas?

Micheladas are not just a drink: they are part of a culinary experience. In Mexico, they are always accompanied by botanas (nibbles). The best combinations are:

• Classic michelada + Japanese peanuts + jícama with lime and chilli
• Seafood clamato + ceviche tostadas or Mexican ceviche
• Chavela + carne asada tacos or loaded chicharrón
• Ojo rojo + chilaquiles (the ultimate anti-hangover combination)

How to host a michelada party in the UK

A “michelada party” is the perfect way to introduce your British friends to Mexican culture. Set up a bar with all the ingredients and let everyone make their own version:

1. Prepare the rim with 3-4 options: Tajín, salt with chile piquín, chamoy with chilli, salt with lime
2. Put the sauces in dispensers: Valentina, Tabasco, Worcestershire, Maggi
3. Cut plenty of limes
4. Offer 2-3 types of beer: a lager, a dark beer and a craft beer
5. Prepare a base clamato in a jug
6. Add optional toppings: cooked prawns, cucumber, mango, chamoy

The music is essential: put on cumbia, norteñas or banda and you will have the perfect party.

Common mistakes when making micheladas

After years of making micheladas both in Mexico and in the UK, these are the mistakes I see most often:

• Using yellow lemon: the flavour is different from the green Mexican lime. In the UK, use lime.
• Not chilling the beer enough: the beer should be almost frozen
• Rimming the glass badly: the rim should be even and not fall off at the first sip
• Adding too much ice: the ice dilutes the beer quickly
• Not balancing the flavours: the perfect michelada has a balance between sour, salty, spicy and umami

The michelada in Mexican culture

The michelada is much more than a cocktail: it is a social ritual. In Mexico, micheladas are shared at family gatherings, on the beach, while watching the football, or simply as an aperitif before a meal. It is a democratic drink that unites all social classes and regions.

In the UK, the michelada has the potential to become the perfect alternative to a shandy or a Pimm's. With the right ingredients and a little practice, you can bring a piece of Mexican culture to any British beer garden this summer. Cheers!

Explore more Mexican recipes perfect for summer in our recipe collection and find the ingredients you need on our map of Mexican shops.