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Michelada Especial is a refreshing Mexican beer cocktail combining cold lager, lime juice, chili powder, and green hot sauce for a bold, tangy flavor. It's a simple, crowd-pleasing drink that comes together in minutes.
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Chill 2 tall beer tumblers in the freezer. Put the salt into a shallow dish. Remove the glasses from the freezer and wet the rims using a wedge of lime. Dip the glass rims into the salt to cover. Add the lime wedges and ice into the glasses, then add a pinch of chili powder to each glass. Stir in 1 teaspoon of light brown sugar to each glass and 4 dashes of hot sauce. Top off with beer and serve immediately.
No—assemble each drink fresh to keep the beer carbonated and ice from melting. Prepare the salt rim and hot sauce mixture in advance if serving multiple guests.
Modelo Especial is traditional and recommended, but any light lager works. Avoid heavy or dark beers, which overpower the citrus and spice balance.
Yes—use Serrano hot sauce, green Cholula, or any green hot sauce you prefer. Tabasco is recommended for consistent heat and flavor.
Moderately spicy from chili powder and hot sauce. Reduce hot sauce dashes or omit chili powder if you prefer milder heat.
No—just a glass, bar spoon, and lime. A shallow dish for salt rimming is helpful but optional.
