Chelada Recipe

This chelada recipe is a fun twist on a classic michelada! This beer cocktail is made with Modelo beer, lime juice, and Worcestershire sauce, and has a savory flavor that everyone will love. Whether you’re hosting a party or just want something different to drink, this Chelada recipe is definitely worth trying!

For more cocktails with a Mexican flair, try our tomatillo bloody marys, easy skinny margarita, and our hibiscus margarita!

What is a Chelada?

A Chelada is short for Michelada, which is a Mexican beer cocktail that is traditionally made with beer, lime juice, and spices. It can be made in several ways using soy sauce, tomato juice, or Worcestershire sauce.

I love how easy a Chelada is to make. My husband orders these often and being a Bloody Mary fan myself, I really enjoy the savory flavors in this drink.

I’ve had this drink a few ways and this recipe is by far our favorite. It combines a little of the traditional cocktail with the modern one.

The overall flavor is beer flavor, but with added spices and a lot of lime! It’s one of the easiest cocktails you can make, too.

This recipe does not use tomato juice. It’s perfect without it and has a delicious, refreshing, and savory flavor. However, for us, the added tajin rim is a must!

Again, this is not traditional, and a salt rim has more history with this drink, but we swear it adds so much flavor to give it a delicious, sticky tajin rim!

Why You’ll Love This Chelada Recipe

Refreshing beer cocktail: It’s the perfect mix of savory and tangy that takes your regular beer to the next level. Trust me, it’s so good!

Super easy to make: You only need a few ingredients and about 2 minutes to put this together. No fancy equipment or bartending skills required!

Make it your way: Like it spicy? Add more tajin. Want it tangier? Squeeze in extra lime. This drink is totally customizable to your taste.

Chelada Ingredients

Modelo Beer – We use Modelo because it’s an authentic Mexican beer. You can also use Pacifico too. Any Mexican lager will work.

Lime Juice – Use fresh lime juice for the best flavor. We usually do 1 1/2 limes per drink. You can add less or more amount of lime juice.

Worcestershire Sauce – A savory sauce made with molasses, vinegar, anchovies, garlic, and other spices. Just a few dashes add a lot of flavors.

Tajin Seasoning – Tajin seasoning is a Mexican condiment that is made with chili peppers, lime, and salt. It’s often used to rim cocktails and can be found at most grocery stores.

Chamoy – A sticky, sweet, and sour condiment that is perfect for rimming glasses. This is optional, but we really love the flavor it adds to the drink.

How to Make a Chelada

Prepare the Glass: Apply chamoy sauce around the rim of a tall glass, then dip in tajin seasoning for that signature spicy-tangy rim.

Add Lime Juice: Squeeze fresh lime juice (about 2 ounces) directly into the glass for that essential citrus kick.

Add Worcestershire: Add a few dashes (about 3/4 teaspoon) of Worcestershire sauce for savory depth.

Mix Base Ingredients: Give the lime juice and Worcestershire a quick stir to combine the flavors.

Add Ice: Fill the glass with ice cubes to keep your drink perfectly cold.

Pour Beer: Slowly pour a cold Modelo beer over the ice, allowing it to mix with the other ingredients.

Garnish: Finish with a lime wedge or dehydrated lime wheel for extra flair and a final dash of tajin on top if desired.

Recipe Variations

If you want to try a different variation of this Modelo Chelada recipe, here are a few ideas:

Use your favorite beer – If you’re not a fan of Modelo, feel free to use your favorite beer instead. Just make sure it’s a light-colored beer so that the lime juice really stands out.

Add a little spice – If you want to add a little spice to your Chelada, try rimming your glass with Tajin or adding a dash of hot sauce.

Use tomato juice – If you prefer, you can add tomato juice. We recommend adding about 4 ounces tomato juice and 8 ounces beer. You can also use clamato juice.

Eden’s Tips

Here are some tips for making the best chelada!

Spice it up: Add a few dashes of hot sauce for a spicey Chelada that really wakes up your taste buds.

Perfect rim technique: We prefer using Chamoy sauce to rim the glass. It adds even more flavor and is super sticky for the tajin to stick to. You can also use the wedge of lime too. If you don’t want Tajin, try a salty rim.

Find the ingredients: Tajin seasoning can be found in the Hispanic aisle at most grocery stores, making this an easy recipe to shop for.

Beer flexibility: Modelo Especial is a great beer, but Corona, Pacifico, or any light beer will work just fine in this recipe.

Customize your rim: If you want a salt rim, just omit the Chamoy and Tajin and use kosher or sea salt for a more traditional approach.

Ice is your friend: Adding ice to the glass is optional, especially if you’re pouring a nice cold beer. However, I like to add ice as it makes the drink super cold and smooth.

Chelada Garnishes

I like to garnish the drink with a dehydrated lime wedge (just follow the same steps as my dehydrated oranges) and a dash of Tajin. Here are some more options:

• Tamarind Candy Sticks
• Beer Salts
• Lime or Lemon Wedge
• Chili Pepper

Best Beer for a Chelada

We prefer using Modelo Especial but Corona, Pacifico, or any light beer will work.

Are Micheladas healthy?

The main ingredient in a Michelada is beer. Beer can have some health benefits, but it is also high in calories and carbohydrates. Some micheladas also often contain tomato juice, which is a good source of vitamins A and C.

Chamoy Sauce

Chamoy sauce is a Mexican condiment made from pickled fruit, chili peppers, and salt. It’s sweet, sour, and slightly spicy all at the same time. Chamoy sauce is often used to rim cocktails, like this chelada recipe.

You can also make a chelada without Chamoy by using the lime wedge to wet the rim of the glass before adding Tajin or salt.

More Mexican-Style Drinks

If you love cocktails with a Mexican twist and tequila, here are a few more cocktail recipes to try!

• How to Make Ranch Water
• Tequila and Orange Juice
• Golden Margarita
• Skinny Margarita Recipe
• Frozen Paloma Cocktail
• The Best Homemade Tomatillo Bloody Marys

I hope you love this chelada beer cocktail as much as we do! Let us know if you make it by leaving a comment and review below!