Fans of the bloody mary rejoice, there is a new tomato-based cocktail in town. This one, the michelada, is a Mexican specialty that you are likely to be familiar with if you are a student at our Austin culinary arts school. For the uninitiated, the michelada can seem somewhat daunting. It is a beer cocktail after all, a designation that has been known to raise eyebrows among many cocktail purists. And perhaps for good reason – using beer as the alcohol in a mixed drink is a subtle art that many bartenders fail to fully comprehend. The result is an unbalanced drink that can cause even the most avid drinker to swear off beer cocktails for life.
However, if you are one of the lucky ones who has been spared the scarring experience of an overly sweet shandy or malproportioned black and tan, prepare yourself for one of the best ways to cool down on a hot summer day. The michelada is much like a bloody mary in that it builds a savory cocktail on top of a tomato base. However, instead of vodka, the michelada adds alcohol in the form of Mexican beer, such as Corona or Sol. The result is a more subdued iteration of the liquor version that is perfectly suited to a mid-afternoon siesta.
Making your own michelada
To make a michelada of your own, start with a 1:1 ratio of beer to tomato juice. Mix 32 ounces of Corona with 32 ounces of tomato juice in a large pitcher. Stir to combine with 1/ 2 cup of lime juice and 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire, hot sauce and Maggi Seasoning each. Serve over ice in a tall glass.
As always, this cocktail recipe is up for your own personal modifications. Making mixed drinks is all about the right proportions, so keep trying things out until you have found the perfect combo.
The best micheladas in Austin
Don’t feel like mixing your own? There are a number of authentic hot spots around the Austin area that serve up some delicious micheladas every day. The trick is to always ask how the bartender makes his or her version. If they are using bloody mary mix, you know it isn’t legit. The micheladas at Dos Batos, Hopdoddy and Hotel San Jose come highly recommended.
