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A Chelada is a classic and simple Mexican beverage made by combining beer with lime juice, and pairing it with a salted rimmed glass. The result is a refreshing drink that you’ll more and more of. Serve them with my Birria Tacos, Queso Fundido or Birria Ramen and Sopapillas for dessert.
I first was introduced to a Chelada when I visited Mexico City years ago. It was everything I’ve ever wanted in a cocktail: it’s bright, refreshing, super tart with punch of salt. YUM!. And the best part, is it couldn’t be more simple to make.
I love serving this with something rich like a big bowl of Beef Birria or Carne Asada Tacos. A heavenly combination.
Ingredients You’ll Need for a Chelada
- Limes. Lots of them.
- Beer of choice. I like using a lager beer with this type of cocktail.
- Salt. I like using kosher salt because of the size of granules.
How to Make a Chelada
- Run a lime around each of the glasses. Dip them in salt so they have a salted rim.
- Squeeze lime juice into each glass.
- Pour in cold beer. If you like you can add ice. Totally optional. Garnish with a slice of lime and serve.
Tips and Tricks
Batch cocktail prep. This isn’t a batch cocktail BUT if you do want to save some time, feel free to squeeze your lime juice before. You can keep it in a pitcher so guests won’t have to mess with squeezing their own limes.
TajÃn Rim. If you want, use Tajin to rim the glasses with instead of salt.
Recipe FAQs
I love serving them with tacos like my Cauliflower Tacos, Double Decker Tacos, or these Jackfruit Tinga Tacos. Or you could serve them alongside appetizers like my Hot Honey Lime Wings, Crispy Chicken Taquitos and Garlic Chicken Wings.
You want to use a Mexican lager. Brands like Modelo, Pacifico and Corona are perfect for Cheladas.
A Chelada just has lime juice, while a Michelada is a tomato-based cocktail. Both are amazing.
More Cocktails to Enjoy
Summer
Watermelon Margaritas
Game Day
Frozen Daiquiris
Drinks
Cranberry Margarita
Quick and Easy
Summer Rosé Sangria
If you tried this Chelada Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Chelada
Ingredients
- Kosher salt , for rim
- Ice cubes
- 3/4 cup lime juice, from about 8 limes
- Lager beer
Instructions
- Add a few tablespoons of salt to a shallow plate. Flip over the glasses and dip the rim in the simple syrup and then immediately transfer to the plate of salt. Repeat with the remaining glasses. Next, drop a few ice cubes into each glass; divide the simple syrup and lime juice amongst them. Lastly, top each drink with a healthy amount of beer. Stir and serve.
heyyy!! these look incredible and are getting me so excited for summer. the recipe says to add simple syrup with the lime juice to the glass. I’m not seeing how much to add – just to taste? thank you!
ahh apologies about that. let me fix that!
You’re allowed to be as grumpy as you wanna be! I so love when people on the internet keep it real. I love beergaritas… I make mine almost just like this, butttttt I still add a shot of tequila. I’m a lush. Whoopsies.
Yum! What a perfect afterwork treat.
Kari
www.sweetteasweetie.com
its imaging that
wow yummy i liked it in the evening time
Great recipe and the drink is actually very special. Even people from my home country (Czech Republic), who are sceptical about any other drinks but beer, liked your Beergaritas. I pinned the recipe and wish you all the best with your blog.
Oh awesome! So glad you loved it!
You are a genius!
I had this one night with sixteen where I thought the funniest thing in the world is drinking Tequila (licking salt-drinking out of these tiny glasses-biting into a lemon), well you know how this story ends! Tequila is dead for me since that night! I can smell it out of every cocktail from miles and my stomach turns.
So Beergaritas are the answer for me!!!! Thanks to you! Enjoy your weekend!
P.S.: thank god the word MARGS hasn’t come to Germany yet!
Giiirrrrl I’ve had this same thing happen to me with tequila. Never. Again.
Sounds wickedly good. Going to give this one a try. Had a good laugh reading it too!
UGH PREACH. Margs is so ugly and harsh. I’m so glad I’m not the only one who shudders at it.
Would it be safe to say El Camino and add a shot of Grand Marnier (do not stir just settle on top)….
I’m confused as to what you’re asking?! :/ I’m used to an el camino having tequila?