Michelada is a unique and refreshing beer cocktail for summer. It’s a beer version of Bloody Mary made with tomato juice, beer, and spices. Learn how to serve Michelada with 4 different fun garnishes this summer.
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This post first appeared on Imagelicious on May 22, 2017. It is now updated with more information and a video.
Contrary to common belief that all Russians drink vodka or at least some kind of hard liquor, this is not true. At least not for me.
If I had to drink something strong, Tequila would be the spirit of choice. I am not much of a cocktail drinker either.
I prefer savoury and bitter flavours to sweet. Something refreshing and easy drinking, like the Sparkling Campari Orange or Bloody Mary.
A few years ago at some all inclusive vacation I ordered Bloody Mary. It wasn’t good. It was strong, it was bitter (in a bad way). I couldn’t drink it. The bartender was good and asked me what was wrong. “Wait,” he said, “I’ll make you a different kind of Bloody Mary. You’ll like!”
And a few minutes later he presented me with another glass that looked eerily similar to the first that I refused. It tasted different. It tasted light, refreshing, delicious.
That was the first time I tried Michelada or a beer version of Bloody Mary. Since then I order it often on vacations.
How to make Michelada
Michelada is made with either clamato juice or tomato juice, although after some research online I found out that juice is actually optional. The base of the drink is beer with lime juice and various spices.
Some prefer more beer and less juice, some change those proportions. I love my Michelada to be half tomato juice and half light beer. I add juice of half a lime or lemon, a few dashes of tabasco, Worcestershire sauce and, of course, salt and pepper on the rim of the glass.
Ingredients to make Michelada Beer Cocktail
- Tomato juice (feel free to use Clamato juice if you’d like)
- Light beer for a light tasting Michelada or dark beer for a stronger Michelada Beer Cocktail
- Lemon juice or lime juice
- Worcestershire sauce
- Tabasco (optional)
- Salt and pepper
- Fun garnishes
Here I’ll show you how to serve Michelada with 4 fun different garnishes. Surprise your loved ones this Father’s Day with one (or more) of these refreshing drinks. It’s a drink and appetizer in one!
Shrimp Cocktail Michelada
Ingredients: cooked and peeled shrimp, cucumber, lemon zest.
Alternate the shrimp and chunks of cucumber on a wooden skewer. For a fun twist dip each shrimp into cocktail sauce. Serve with lemon.
Bacon & Eggs Michelada
Ingredients: crisp bacon, boiled egg, piece of toast.
Fry bacon to your desired doneness (I like mine super crispy). Boil eggs (use my method for super easy Instant Pot No Peel Hard Boiled Eggs). On a skewer add a small piece of toast, piece of bacon, quarter of an egg and repeat. Serve with a piece of crispy bacon.
Caprese Tomato Salad Michelada
Ingredients: cherry tomatoes, bocconcini cheese, basil, cucumber.
Alternate cherry tomatoes and bocconcini on a wooden skewer. To make this into a Caprese salad add some basil leaves and drizzle with balsamic vinegar. Serve with a long cucumber spear. If you love Caprese Salad, then you should try my One-Pot Caprese Macaroni and Cheese, it’s super delicious and easy.
Charcuterie & Cheese Michelada
Ingredients: mix of various deli meats, cheese cubes, rye bread, olives/pickles.
Add some rye bread and various deli meats and cubes of cheese to a skewer. Use different flavours and textures such as smoked cheddar, edam, gouda, oven smoked turkey and salami. For an authentic charcuterie taste spread some grainy mustard on the bread and add olives. Serve with spicy pepperette.
Do you have other ideas for fun garnishes? I’d love to hear them!!!
More drink recipes:
- Festive and refreshing Sparkling Campari Orange cocktail
- Refreshing Watermelon Mimosa (with non-alcoholic option)
- Sinfully Good Peanut Butter Iced Coffee
Basic Michelada Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ounces tomato juice
- 2 ounces your favourite refreshing beer
- 1/2 lime juice
- 5 drops tabasco (or to taste)
- 5 drops worcestershire (vegan or non-vegan, to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- ice
Instructions
- On a saucer mix salt and pepper.
- Juice half a lime.
- Use the leftover lime wedge rub it all over the rim of the glass.
- Dip the rim of the glass in the salt and pepper mixture making sure that it gets all over the rim.
- Fill the glass with ice.
- Add tomato juice, lime juice, a few drops of tabasco, and worcestershire sauce.
- Top with beer.
- Add one of the 4 fun garnishes as described above and enjoy.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Milena | Craft Beering says
Yum! Wouldn’t mind one of these for breakfast even though it’s not yet the weekend:)
Julia says
The one with Bacon and Egg is totally breakfast appropriate!
Kelli Shallal says
Kelli@hungryhobby
What great drink ideas! I’m not a huge fan of tomato juice but these drinks are persuading me to reunite my tastebuds to tomato juice! My fav is the shrimp and cucumber garnish 🙂
Julia says
You could try this with Clamato juice or V8. Or, actually with no juice at all, just beer, lime, spices!
Amy says
I don’t drink alcohol but these are definitely some unique and creative combinations you have come up with here! Love the styling!
Julia says
Thank you very much!!
Heather says
What fun ideas!!! I love that this is combining a bloody mary and beer .. and what amazing garnishes… these would be the hit of any brunch or party..
Julia says
Yes, it’s totally great way to serve a lighter version of bloody mary at brunch!
ManilaSpoon says
I don’t drink beer or alcohol but you surely had some creative spin on these lovely beer cocktail! I bet this would be a big hit at any summer party!
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way says
I am totally fascinated by this drink. I’m not a vodka drinker or a beer drinker. Interestingly enough my Hubby loves a spicy bloody Mary I wonder if I would order this sometimes when I’m with him and let him have his regular Bloody Mary and I could have a Michelada. Now, I need to ask, how do you pronounce the name of the drink??
Julia says
Try this cocktail – it may surprise you even if you are not a beer drinker. It’s pronounced like the name Michelle but with ‘ada’ in the end
Renz says
My gosh. These are some gorgeous cocktails. I’ve never had Michelada now I def want to try it.
Julia says
Thank you! Yes, try it – it’s really good!
Christine McMichael says
Your photos are GORGEOUS! These cocktails look beautiful. Perfectly refreshing for hot summer weather! Saving these for later!
Julia says
Thank you very much 🙂 And yes, the cocktail is really refreshing. I had it again yesterday
Molly Kumar says
Omg, all 4 of them looks soooo good!! We love Michelada in summers and I’d totally try these versions…,.simce I’m abscon fan, I’ll start with bacon-egg combination first !
Julia says
Haha – that spicy salty rim of the glass and crispy bacon were an excellent combo!
Veena Azmanov says
Now that is so cool. Love how you served this beer up. I can’t decide which is my favorite but I’m definitely going to try this soon.
Julia says
Thanks, Veena! I took inspiration from how Bloody Marys are served now with lots of different “appetizers” and this drink is fun for summer and for Father’s Day!
Jodi @ Create Kids Club says
This is my kind of Bloody Mary! I always like the first few sips, but then it’s jus too much. The lightened up version sounds great!
Julia says
Totally! I have exactly the same issue – regular Bloody Mary is a bit too much but this version is just right!
Priya Srinivasan says
Wow, love how you have served it in four different ways! 🙂 Looks like a fun drink and with all these fun garnishes it will be a great hit in a fun party!
Julia says
Thank you! I wanted to make this drink fun and “Father’s Day Approved”
Adriana Lopez Martn says
I enjoy micheladas a lot I am Mexican so this cocktail is very close to my heart. Would have never occurred to me to serve it as a bloody mary but it works. Nice pairings.
Julia says
Yes, I took inspiration from how Bloody Marys are often served for brunches now
valmg @ From Val's Kitchen says
I’ve never heard of mixing beer with tomato juice before. It’s an interesting idea and it sounds like it has an intriguing taste. I love tomato juice so the juice wouldn’t make it any farther than my mouth.
Julia says
Until I had this a few years ago I also have not heard of this but it’s really good!
Pam says
I have heard of Bloody Mary’s before but I have never heard of a Michelada. I love the charcuterie garnish idea.
Julia says
It was also a surprise for me when I had it but it’s so light and refreshing
Amanda says
These are the most unique garnishes for beer cocktails I’ve ever seen! The shrimp is the one that would appeal most to me.
Julia says
Yea, I took inspiration from Bloody Mary and how they are served with lots of garnishes for brunch now