master-cooks | Classic Clamato Michelada Recipe

The Classic Clamato Michelada is a refreshing and savory Mexican beverage, perfect for those hot summer days or to accompany spicy dishes. This drink is a flavorful blend of beer and Clamato juice, which is a mix of tomato and clam juices, offering a unique twist to the traditional beer cocktail. To make this Michelada, start by rimming a chilled glass with lime and salt, adding an extra layer of flavor. Fill the glass with ice to ensure the drink is cold and crisp. Next, add a few dashes of hot sauce, a splash of Worcestershire sauce, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. These ingredients provide a robust, zesty kick that complements the Clamato's savory taste. Pour in the Clamato juice, leaving enough room for your favorite Mexican beer, such as a light lager, to top off the drink. Stir gently to blend the flavors without losing the beer's carbonation. Garnish with a lime wedge or a stick of celery for an extra touch. This Classic Clamato Michelada is a perfect balance of spicy, tangy, and refreshing, making it a beloved choice for those who enjoy bold and complex flavors.

Collect the ingredients for this classic Clamato michelada

De Witt prepares these micheladas using Clamato, lime juice, Tabasco, Worcestershire sauce, and a Mexican lager. She adds ice cubes to cool the beverages and serves them in glasses that are rimmed with Tajin.

Step 1: Prepare the limes

Squeeze the juice from one lime and slice the other lime into wedges.

Step 2: Sprinkle the Tajin on a plate

Pour Tajin onto a small plate, ensuring the bottom is fully covered.

Step 3: Moisten the glass rims with a lime wedge

Moisten the edges of two glasses with a lime wedge.

Step 4: Rim the glasses with Tajin

Coat the rims with Tajin.

Step 5: Drop the ice into the glasses

Add ice to the glasses.

Step 6: Pour the lime juice, Tabasco, and Worcestershire into the glasses

Pour the lime juice into the glasses, then add a few dashes of Tabasco and Worcestershire sauce, adjusting to your preference.

Step 7: Add the Clamato

Pour the Clamato juice evenly into the glasses.

Step 8: Pour in the beer

Add beer on top and mix.

What are some ingredient swaps that could work in this classic Clamato michelada?

There are several ways to modify this recipe, starting with the glass rim. De Witt recommends using "salt and chili powder instead of Tajin," and you might also consider substituting lemon juice for lime. Tabasco isn't your only hot sauce option; you could choose a Mexican-style sauce like Tapatio or Cholula, or a Louisiana favorite like Frank's RedHot or Crystal. According to De Witt, "Any hot sauce will work," so even a fruity habanero sauce could add a nice touch of sweet heat.

While De Witt prefers to use Mexican beer, suggesting options like Corona, Dos Equis, Modelo, or Pacifico, you can also select a domestic lager. Both Bud Light and Bud Heavy offer their own canned Clamato cheladas. Alternatively, you could use a non-alcoholic beer to create micheladas that are sure to be hangover-free.

What foods go well with this classic Clamato michelada?

If you're in search of a tasty snack to accompany your Clamato michelada, De Witt recommends that it "complements your favorite Mexican cuisine" and suggests ceviche, chips and guacamole, and tacos as excellent choices. She also notes that it pairs wonderfully with "any dish featuring smoky chipotles."

We have a chiles rellenos recipe that could be a great match for these micheladas if you want to maintain the Mexican food theme, but there are plenty of other pairing options. Cheladas are quite similar to beery Marys, making them suitable for brunch alongside eggs, bacon, and pancakes. These zesty, beer-based drinks also pair perfectly with bar snacks, and we particularly enjoy them with classic Buffalo wings, as well as Scotch eggs, fried cheese curds, and sliders.

Classic Clamato Michelada Recipe