You’ve probably heard of a Michelada before, but aren’t exactly sure what it is or event how to say it. It’s really simple actually. A Michelada is a very popular beer cocktail that originated from Mexico. The truth is, the word Michelada truly refers to any cocktail made with beer. However, there is one Michelada that is widely accepted as the one and only traditional Michelada. That is the deliciously refreshing tomato based Michelada we wrote about here. So remember, a Michelada is a beer cocktail, but most people refer to the tomato based recipe when talking about this amazing drink.
Buy Michelada Ingredients on Amazon
What ingredients are in a Michelada.
Tomato Juice
This Michelada is the most popular and it’s made with a tomato juice known as Clamato. This tomato juice is unique because it’s also made with clam juice. Yes, you read that right. For that reason, it’s not a pure vegetable juice and wouldn’t be recommended for those on a vegan diet. With that said, any tomato juice is a perfect substitute, but Clamato is the most popular.
Tajin Powder
A Michelada is much more than tomato juice. What sets this drink apart is all the unique flavors that go into making this drink. For example, this drink also uses Tajin Powder, which is added to the rim of the glass. It has a chili lime flavor that is spicy and sour, but pairs perfectly with the drinks tomato flavor. With each sip you get a spark of sour flavor, but the drink quickly cools it down.
Hot Sauce
Then there’s the hot sauce. This spicy element separates a Michelada from most cocktails out there today. Most Michelada drinkers love their drink with a little heat. Some, with a lot. In order to achieve that spice, hot sauce is a must. Two hot sauce are more popular than others. They are the hot sauces Tapatio and Valentina, but truly any hot sauce will do. But that’s not all.
Jugo Maggi
A Michelada also uses Jugo Maggi, and this might be the secret sauce nobody talks about. Jugo Maggi is a very savory sauce that can be compared to soy sauce. It originated in Asia and is popular in noodle and fried rice dishes. Mexicans also fell in love with it and use it in their Micheladas. It tastes like salty beef broth. Tasting a spoonful of this sauce will wake you right up. It’s very potent, but super tasty.
Lime Juice
You also need fresh lime juice. The limes add a very citrus, refreshingly sour flavor to the drink. Some people love their Michelada with a lot of lime juice, which will make their drink taste more like a Chelada. Other drinkers like a little lime, which allows the tomato juice to be the star ingredient.
Beer
Finally a Michelada wouldn’t be complete without beer. In this recipe a cold Mexican Lager is usually the beer of choice. Lagers like Corona, Modelo or Tecate are the most popular, but any light beer will do. The reason lighter beers are more desired is they allow the other ingredients to come through. A strong flavored beer will mask those flavors and take away the special qualities of this drink.
Buy Chamoy Rim Pastes on Amazon
The history of the Michelada and the legend of Michel Esper Jorge.
How exactly Micheladas rose to fame is a bit uncertain. Clearly they are a delicious cocktail, but the story behind the very first Michelada is an interesting one. It’s the story of a man by the name of Michel Esper Jorge. He was a civil engineer and apparently had a long night of drinking. The next day Michel arrived to a Tennis match at Deportivo Potosino in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. He was hungover and needed a remedy. He found the bar and asked the bartender for a hangover cure. Moments later, the bartender returned with a glass full of ice, a beer and some lime juice — the ingredients to make a Chelada. Michel combined what the bartender gave him and included his own condiments. With a strange look, the bartender asked him what drink he just made. Michel smiled back with his drink in the air. He answered, “a Mich-chelada”, a combination of his first name and Chelada.
To this day, nobody knows how true Michel’s story is, but it’s a fun story to tell after you’ve downed a few Micheladas yourself. Maybe the true definition of the drink is much simpler than this tall tale. You simply have to understand what a Michelada actually means.
What does Michelada mean?
For many a Michelada is the combination of three Spanish words:
- Mi
- Chela
- Helada
Mi Chela Helada is Spanish for “My Frosty Beer.” But that’s quite a mouthful to say as is. So putting them together as “Michelada” would be a lot easier. You’ll notice the word “Chela” and the word “Helada” have been combined to make Chelada. Add “Mi” to the mix and it’s not just a cold beer. It’s my cold beer — or a Michelada.
Buy Lime Squeezers & Mugs on Amazon
How many types of Micheladas are there?
The quick answer to this question is an infinite number. Today a Michelada refers to any cocktail made with beer, and some would argue that’s a bit untrue. Purists say a Michelada has to have lime juice and hot sauce, and of course, a Mexican beer. It’s a Mexican drink over all so not having citrus and spice would cancel it from the conversation. However, as you travel the world you’ll notice others countries also have their own Micheladas, and they can be widely different. In Colombia for example, what they call a Michelada is beer, salt and mango slices. In Peru their Michelada includes fish stock to resemble their famous Peruvian ceviche. Of course the Mexican version is the most popular, but even in Mexico there’s a Michelada obsessed community brainstorming new ideas for the drink. It’s no longer just one version. It’s a growing culture. People absolutely love this drink and you can see it with all the Michelada festivals popping up in the United States.
Do Micheladas cure hangovers?
There’s a rising belief that Micheladas are the magical cure to a hangover. If it’s true, more than likely it’s temporary. It has more to do with how your body deals with alcohol. The symptoms of a hangover are at their worse when your blood alcohol levels return to normal. If you drink more alcohol when you feel hungover, the rising alcohol levels will diminish the feeling of being hungover. However, once your blood alcohol levels go back down, your hangover over symptoms shoot back up. With that said, you’re probably better off letting your body recover, drink water and return to a normal diet.
