This post is sponsored by Collective Bias, Inc. and Constellation Brands. All opinions are mine alone. Recipe is intended for readers who are 21 or older.
Learn how to make an easy Chelada recipe! This simple, refreshing beer cocktail is the ultimate summer drink, and it’s ready in minutes!
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With temps hitting the nineties here in Texas, I’m in full summer mode. I’m not ready for this heat!
Of course, this hot weather gives me a good excuse to enjoy all my favorite summer beer cocktails, from shandies to beergaritas. Maybe there is a bright side to this sweltering heat after all.
Luckily, my favorite beer drink takes almost no effort at all. Meet the Chelada!
This refreshing, citrusy cocktail is as perfect for cooling off after work as it is for serving guests. And the best part is that you can make it in five minutes … maybe less if you’re fast.
Chelada Recipe
Have you ever had a Chelada … or a Michelada? And what exactly is the difference between the two?
Ha ha … it gets confusing since the two names are often used interchangeably. When we were in Mexico City for example, I saw everyone drinking these refreshing cocktails, and the waiter didn’t quite understand what I meant until I asked for a Michelada (my crappy Spanish probably didn’t help!).
What is a Chelada?
Generally speaking though, a Chelada is a Mexican beer cocktail made with beer and lime juice. Super simple. A Michelada, on the other hand, is a beer drink made with tomato or clamato juice, as well as other spices and seasonings. It’s usually spicy.
Today, we’re going to make a the simpler version of this drink … cerveza con limón!
Chelada Ingredients
The ingredients for this Mexican beer cocktail couldn’t get much simpler:
- Salt
- Fresh Lime Juice
- Beer (I prefer to use a lager.)
Of course, since you’re using such basic ingredients, they all need to be top notch. Which is why I prefer to use an authentic Mexican beer, like Modelo Especial!
Modelo Especial is a rich, full-flavored Pilsner-style Lager that’s characterized by a crisp, clean finish and an orange blossom honey aroma with a hint of herb. It’s the quintessential summer beer!
This refreshing beer has been brewed with the Fighting Spirit since 1925! It’s been an integral part of Mexican culture ever since, and today it’s the fastest-growing import beer in America over the past three years.
How to Make a Chelada
Now that you have the ingredients, it’s time to make this Mexican beer drink.
The first step is to salt the rim of a tall glass (I like using a Collins glass). Not only is a salted rim a nice garnish for your beer cocktail, it also enhances the flavor of the drink.
Simply moisten the rim of your glass with a small lime wedge. Then, dip the glass into a small, shallow dish filled with kosher salt.
If you’d like to add a mild kick to your drink, you can use chili lime seasoning (a combination of chili powder, lime, and salt) instead of plain salt.
Fill your glass half full of ice, then add the lime juice.
The amount of lime juice is up to you. Start with one lime, and if you want the drink tarter, add another. I prefer to use about one and a half small limes.
Limes vary a lot in quality and size, so buy more than you think you’ll need. And make sure to use a juicer. That way, you can get every last drop of juice out of those limes.
The last step is adding the beer.
Fill the glass with Modelo Especial, then garnish with a slice of lime. Perfection!
You’ll probably have a little beer left in the bottle, which means more cocktails later. Or you could share … it’s up to you.
Of course, you’ll want to take a sip … is that not the most refreshing drink?
I love how simple this easy Chelada recipe is. In under five minutes, you have a refreshing drink that’s as perfect for relaxing on the porch as it is for entertaining guests.
Sounds like the ideal summer drink to me!
Learn how to make a Chelada ... this light, citrusy Mexican beer cocktail is the ultimate summer drink!
- kosher salt
- 1 to 2 small limes (plus more for garnish)
- 1 (12-ounce) bottle Modelo Especial®
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Fill a small, shallow dish with kosher salt.
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Cut a small wedge from a lime and use it to wet the rim of a tall glass.
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Dip the rim into salt. Then, fill the glass half full with ice.
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Add juice from 1 to 2 limes (to taste) to the glass. (If you prefer, use a fine mesh strainer to strain out the pulp first.)
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Fill glass with beer, then garnish with a slice of lime, if desired.
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Serve immediately. Enjoy!
Loved this Mexican Beer Cocktail?
If you enjoyed this easy beer drink, here are some other summery cocktails you’ll love!
- Easy Beergaritas
- Lemonade Shandy
- Cuba Libre
- Mojito
- Spicy Paloma Cocktail
- Strawberry Mint Gin and Tonic
- Spiked Raspberry Lemonade
By the way, you can find all my cocktail recipes here!
What is your favorite summer drink?
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