Hot Honey Michelada Cocktail
The michelada is one of Mexico's most famous beer cocktails, combining refreshing light lager with lime, aromatic spices and savoury sauces. In this version the classic recipe takes on a new voice thanks to spicy honey, which adds a soft sweetness, a subtle heat and a pleasing balance of sweet, sour, salty and spicy. Every sip delivers a bright palette of flavours: the freshness of lime, the depth of Clamato, the gentle heat of the spices and the delicate sweetness of honey. It is the perfect cocktail for summer evenings, barbecues or catching up with friends — especially served well chilled. A michelada is wonderfully refreshing in hot weather and pairs superbly with Mexican food, snacks and anything off the grill.
Preparation
- 1
Prepare the rim mix. Combine kosher salt with Tajín seasoning or chilli powder.
- 2
Rim the glass. Rub the rim of the glass with a lime wedge, then dip it into the salt and spice mix.
- 3
Add ice. Fill the glass about halfway with ice.
- 4
Make the base. Stir the fresh lime juice with the spicy honey until the honey has fully dissolved.
- 5
Add the juice. Pour the Clamato and the lime-honey mixture into the glass.
- 6
Add the sauces. Add a few drops of soy sauce, hot sauce and Worcestershire sauce to taste.
- 7
Add the beer. Slowly pour in the well-chilled Mexican lager.
- 8
Finish. Stir the cocktail gently and garnish the glass with a lime wedge.
- 9
Serve. If you like, drizzle a little more spicy honey on top and serve immediately, well chilled.
Chef's tips
- —Use well-chilled beer to keep the cocktail as refreshing as possible. If the honey is thick, let it warm to room temperature — it will dissolve in the lime juice much faster.
- —Do not skimp on the spices around the rim: they are what give a michelada its signature flavour from the very first sip. The amount of hot sauce and honey is easy to adjust to taste.
- —For a non-alcoholic version, use an alcohol-free lager — the flavour stays just as bright.
