Recipe: Easy Michelada

Perhaps you’ve enjoyed a michelada at your favorite taco shop or Mexican restaurant. Or maybe you’ve never tried the spicy beer cocktail before. Whether you’re a stalwart fan or a newcomer, one thing is for sure: The list of ingredients will leave you scratching your head in confusion.

A whole bunch of things that don’t seem to make sense together — beer, hot sauce, lime juice, and Worcestershire sauce — are combined into one glass. Yet, after just one sip you won’t care if the combo sounded strange. Instead, you’ll just enjoy it for its spicy, refreshing self.

While sipping a can of beer is all well and good, making micheladas is a fun way to jazz it up. This classic cocktail takes many forms in Mexico, which means no one can quite agree on the exact ingredients. Hot sauce and lime juice are generally considered key players, and we’ve also added Worcestershire sauce (another common ingredient) to lend a surprisingly welcomed savory note.

This michelada pitcher is spicy, tangy, and extra refreshing. It’s a great companion to Mexican food, yes, but it also fits right in next to party-friendly apps and even brunch, given the low ABV (think Bloody Mary’s beer-forward cousin). Oh, and there’s no need to splurge on fancy beer here since you’re doctoring it up. A simple Mexican lager like Corona is really the best choice.