How to make a Chavela drink with Modelo lager and optional tequila shot.
A shot of tequila is often served alongside Chavela.
- Go straight to the Recipe Card or
- Read on for relevant tips and step by step pictures (2 mins)
What is a Chavela Drink?
Chavela is Mexican beer cocktail with tomato juice, seasoned with hot sauce, garnished with lemon or lime and served in a glass rimmed with coarse salt or spicy chile lime salt such as Tajin.
How is Chavela Different from Michelada?
A chavela is a classic cerveza preparada (prepared beer), just like its close relative the Michelada. However, there are several principal differences between the two beer cocktails.
- Chavela is a bit simpler compared to Michelada – it uses fewer ingredients.
- Chavela includes tomato juice while authentic Michelada does not.
- Chavela is typically made with cerveza clara (golden, crisp lager similar to pilsner), whereas Michelada is more commonly mixed with cerveza obscura (dark, amber colored lager in the style of Munich dunkel or Vienna lager).
- Chavela is sometimes spiked with a shot of tequila or served with a shot of tequila on the side.
What’s In the Glass
Authentic Chavela uses these few simple ingredients.
- Lemon/lime. A wedge to wet the edge of the glass before dipping it in rimming salt and to use as garnish.
- Coarse salt. To rim the glass. Use kosher salt, sea salt or a chile lime salt such as Tajin.
- Beer. The classic choice is a Mexican golden lager brewed in the style of pilsner such as Modelo – light bodied, highly effervescent and crisp.
- Tomato juice. Use good quality organic tomato juice. If you’d like season it with a pinch of salt (totally optional, depends on your taste).
- Hot sauce. Your favorite brand, to season the cocktail.
- Tequila. Completely optional. Blanco or reposado work great, no need for expensive aged tequilas.
How to Mix a Chavela
- Onto a small plate pour some coarse salt or Tajin. Run a wedge of lemon/lime around the rim of a pint glass, then dip the rim into the salt to coat.
- Place a few ice cubes into the glass. Add tomato juice and a few dashes of hot sauce. Stir to combine and then fill to the top with Modelo. Optional – add a shot of tequila (#6)
- Garnish with lemon/lime wedge.
Ways to Serve the Cocktail
Chavela is a light, refreshing cocktail which you can enjoy on its own – tequila shot included or not.
The flavor base and the effervescence of the lager make it an excellent partner to spicy Mexican food dishes as well as a viable brunch cocktail option.
Chavela also has quite the affinity for seafood – pair it with ceviche, fish tacos, crab boils. It is commonly served with a built in snack of cocktail shrimp – draped over the edge of the glass or skewered, similarly to this Clamato beer.
Other Beer Cocktails You Might Like
Mexican Chelada
Bloody Roman
Grapefruit Beer Paloma
Mexican Mule
Chavela (Mexican Drink with Modelo)
Ingredients
- lime or lemon wedge
- coarse salt or chile lime salt like Tajin (to rim glass)
- ice cubes
- 3 oz tomato juice
- 12 oz Modelo (or similar Mexican lager, brewed in the style of pilsner)
- hot sauce (to taste, about 5-6 dashes)
- 1 1/2 oz tequila blanco or reposado (optional)
Instructions
1. Run a wedge of lemon/lime around the rim of a pint glass, reserve it for garnish. Pour coarse salt or Tajin onto a small plate and dip the wet rim of the glass to coat.
2. Place a few ice cubes into the glass. Add the tomato juice and the hot sauce. Stir to mix. Add the Modelo lager* and (optional) shot of tequila.**
3. Garnish with the lemon/lime wedge.
Notes
*Most likely you will only be able to fit about 9-10 oz of the beer.
**The optional tequila can also be served separately in a shot glass.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 360Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 2363mgCarbohydrates: 44gFiber: 8gSugar: 10gProtein: 6g
Amanda says
You always have the best beer cocktails! I’m definitely putting this on my Super Bowl menu — I can’t think of a more perfect pregame drink.
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says
I love that you say the tequila is optional. I LOVE tequila so it’s never optional for me! I’ve never heard of a chavela so thank you for the education; it sounds delicious!
Leanne says
I would definitely add the shot of tequila! 😉 Looks tasty and refreshing. While it’s only Monday morning, I’m imagining sipping on this during brunch this weekend! Have a great week ahead!