Every summer, the American market sees a fresh wave of Micheladas, and this year is no exception. Introducing Modelo’s Sandia Picante Chelada, a spicy watermelon drink designed to provide escape from the scorching summer heat. Intrigued, I stumbled upon a 24oz can at my local convenience store and decided to give it a shot. As a fan of many types of Micheladas, I was curious to see if it would stay true to the classic original or venture into a unique flavor experience. Now, it’s your turn to find out. Before we delve into the taste test, let’s address the essentials.
Nutritional Facts (Serving Size 12oz. 2 Servings In Can)
- Calories: 144
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fat: 0g
- Protein: 0.8g
Flavor Balance
All Micheladas are a concoction of many various kinds of flavors coming together. Not one flavor should overpower the drink. Instead we find most our enjoyment when we get a little bit of all the flavors in the drink. The balance of flavor in this Sandia Picante Chelada came together nicely. The initial sweetness of the watermelon transitioned nicely into the spicy heat the drink name suggested. It wasn’t overpoweringly sweet and there was a savory element that almost always comes with a traditional Michelada.
Texture
This Michelada was very smooth and went down easily. The pleasantry of the flavors made it quite easy to take longer sips. While not exactly like drinking fruit juice, it’s a relatively enjoyable gulp.
Spice Level
The Sandia Picante Chelada has a noticeable kick of spice, but if you have a good tolerance for heat, you’ll most likely find the level of spice in the drink to be quite mild. In fact I found it to be more of a tongue tingle than a truly fiery ordeal. This is good news for casual drinkers and maybe a let down for spiceheads.
Citrus Freshness
We often relate a strong lime flavor with a lot of Micheladas, but that’s not the case with this Modelo chelada. The dominant fruit flavor in this can is obviously watermelon. There was no apparent citrus bite that I noticed when enjoying this beer cocktail. For that reason I would categorize this Michelada alongside other fruity options you can find on the market.
Tomato Flavor
Another common association is the presence of a well-pronounced tomato flavor. That’s why the Michelada is often nicknamed the Mexican Bloody Mary. However, I found the level of savory tomato flavor to be quite low. Again, this drink is targeting the casual drinker who is looking for a fruity summer refreshment. I would not rank it high for it’s tomato flavor.
Garnishes
I expect most people will drink this Michelada straight out of the can, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t pair this drink with a good garnish or snack. Snacking on watermelon chunks or other fruit is probably the easiest choice here. Of course, sprinkle on the Tajin. As always, if you’re looking for a good protein snack, our Cecina Beef Jerky is a great option for any Michelada.
Overall Enjoyment of Modelo’s Sandia Picante
I very much enjoyed this Chelada. If you’re looking for a sweeter refreshing drink for the summer, this is a great option. However, those of you who would prefer a savory tomato based cocktail might be disappointed here. This Sandia Picante Chelada will surely be a hit at summer parties. Keep it close by while the weather is nice.