Easy Chelada (Mexican Beer Cocktail)
A chelada is a crisp Mexican beer cocktail made with cold lager, fresh lime juice, and a salted or Tajín-rimmed glass. It's a 5-minute drink that balances citrus, salt, and cold beer.
Total
2 minServings
1A chelada is a crisp Mexican beer cocktail made with cold lager, fresh lime juice, and a salted or Tajín-rimmed glass. It's a 5-minute drink that balances citrus, salt, and cold beer.
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Moisten rim of glass with a lime and salt the rim or use Tajin.
Add ice and lime juice.
Add beer, and drink before the ice melts.
Cheladas must be consumed fresh immediately after mixing; they do not store.
A chelada is the basic version with beer, lime juice, and a salted rim. A michelada typically adds hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and spices for more complexity.
Mexican lagers work best—Dos XX, Tecate, and Modelo Especial are ideal. Light, crisp beers let the lime and salt shine without heavy flavors.
Fresh lime juice is strongly preferred for bright, natural citrus flavor. Bottled juice tastes flat and lacks the acidity that balances the salt and beer.
Sal Limón (lime salt) is traditional and adds a citrus note. Coarse salt works if you prefer pure salt, and Tajín adds chili-lime spice for extra flavor.
Melted ice dilutes the beer and lime juice, weakening the balance of flavors and making the drink watery.
