Cervezas Preparadas - Mexican Beer Drinks

Michelada vs Chelada vs Clamato beer vs Chavela - we cover the building blocks of these refreshing beer based Mexican cocktails, compare and contrast them and give you authentic recipes. 

If you ever felt confused about what makes a Michelada different from a Chavela or exactly how to prepare a Clamato drink and if it is the same as an Ojo Rojo - you are not alone.

Besides the fact that they all include beer, there are two other key components of Mexican beer drinks:

• seasonings (collectively known as preparations) and
• juices (citrus, tomato, clam juice, various tropical fruit)

The combination of these determines the type of beer cocktail or cerveza preparada (prepared beer) as they are commonly referred to. 

Key Components

Beer. A cerveza preparada is always centered around a Mexican lager. It can be cerveza clara (clear, light-bodied golden beer brewed in the style of pilsner lager) or cerveza oscura (flavorful dark beer brewed in the style of Vienna lager or dunkel lager). Even though many people use them interchangeably, the authentic recipes call for a specific type of beer, which is always bottom fermented, i.e. lager. The beer contributes specific flavors on account of its grain bill, hops and effervescence.  

Preparations. The seasonings aka preparaciones are blends of salt, spices (chiles, dried citrus rinds etc), picante and umami sauces. When mixed with beer the result is literally a prepared beer. 

Juices. Mixing lime, lemon or tomato juice with beer is a fundamental practice when it comes to Mexican beer cocktails. When the tomato juice has clam juice added to it, the resulting clamato adds unique umami and brininess to the drink. (Here is How to Make Clamato Juice in case you are not interested in using the commercially sold one loaded with corn syrup, MSG and artificial flavorings).

Juices from tropical fruit such as pineapple, coconut, papaya and mango are used in versions of Michelada and in practically all Chamochelas. Occasionally, fermented and distilled agave juice aka tequila makes an appearance - always optional.

TIPS: Always add the beer last by pouring it from high above the glass to help the rest of the ingredients mix. Be careful to stop pouring before the beer reaches the salt rimmed glass edge - salt forms nucleation sites and causes the beer to fizz up excessively.

Mexican Chelada

The Chelada is typically made with cerveza clara - a light-bodied lager brewed in the style of pilsner. Most commonly Modelo or Corona are enlisted. If you like a squeeze of lime in your beer or enjoy salt rimmed cocktails you will love this drink. Be sure to use ice cold beer - no ice is added to authentic Chelada. Read more.

Michelada

The classic Michelada always uses an amber Mexican lager with caramel notes such as Dos Equis Ambar or Modelo Negra. Instead of simply salt and lime juice as with Chelada, the preparation is spicier and zestier and includes chile lime salt (such as Tajin) and salsa Ingles (Worcestershire sauce) among other ingredients.

There is no tomato juice involved in authentic Mexican Michelada - just the beer and the preparation. If you add tomato juice to these ingredients you will get an Ojo Rojo.

Michelada is also popular in Central and Latin American countries where most versions include the addition of tropical juices - Michelada de Maracuyá with passion fruit juice, Michelada de Mango with mango nectar and so on. Read more.

Clamato Beer

Recipe-wise this is possibly the most controversial cerveza preparada - definitely on account of Clamato juice and its complex history. We bring clarity to all that and present the original Clamato beer recipe. Definitely use a dark Mexican lager for a richer flavor.

Overall, if you take a Michelada and add Clamato juice to it you will be mixing the classic Clamato cocktail. Read more.

Chavela

The Chavela is based on cerveza clara, most frequently Modelo. Tomato juice is added as well as a healthy dose of hot sauce. Frequently the drink gets spiked with tequila or is simply served with a tequila shot.

Just like with the Clamato beer, a garnish of cocktail shrimp draped over the edge of the Tajin or salt rimmed glass or presented as a skewer is common. Read more.