Fresh and Tart Chelada (Mexican Lime and Beer Cocktail) Recipe

A chelada is a more basic version of the michelada, the chili-spiked Mexican beer cocktail—just fresh lime juice, beer, and a little salt, with none of its cousin's spicy intensity.

By
Daniel Gritzer
Daniel Gritzer
Daniel Gritzer
Senior Culinary Director
Daniel joined the Serious Eats culinary team in 2014 and writes recipes, equipment reviews, articles on cooking techniques. Prior to that he was a food editor at Food & Wine magazine, and the staff writer for Time Out New York's restaurant and bars section.
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Updated Apr. 29, 2019
20170621-michelada-chelada-vicky-wasik-3.jpg
Photograph: Vicky Wasik

Why This Recipe Works

  • The right amount of lime juice keeps the drink bracingly tart and fresh.
  • A pinch of salt in the drink itself ensures every sip is perfect.

Related to the michelada, the chili-spiked Mexican beer cocktail, a chelada is a more basic version of the drink, with just fresh lime juice, beer, and enough salt to keep things refreshingly savory. It's perfect when you're in the mood for something cold and light, without the spicy intensity of a michelada.

Recipe Details

Fresh and Tart Chelada (Mexican Lime and Beer Cocktail) Recipe

Active 5 mins
Total 5 mins
Serves 1 serving

A chelada is a more basic version of the michelada, the chili-spiked Mexican beer cocktail—just fresh lime juice, beer, and a little salt, with none of its cousin's spicy intensity.

Ingredients

  • Kosher or sea salt

  • 2 ounces (60ml) fresh juice from 2 limes (see notes), half a juiced lime reserved for the rim

  • 1 (12-ounce; 355ml) can or bottle light Mexican beer, such as Modelo, Pacífico, Tecate, Victoria, or Corona, well chilled

Directions

  1. Pour kosher or sea salt into a small, shallow dish in an even layer. Rub a pint or pilsner glass's rim with the cut side of the reserved juiced lime half, then dip glass into the dish to create a salt rim.

  2. Set glass right side up and fill with lime juice. Add a pinch or two of salt, fill glass with ice, and top with beer. Stir gently if you want to mix it up a bit. Serve with remaining beer, topping up as you drink.

Special equipment

Pint glass or pilsner glass

Notes

If you want a less tart version of the drink, experiment with using less lime juice—1 or 1 1/2 ounces can work, too.

This Recipe Appears In

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
167 Calories
0g Fat
17g Carbs
2g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 167
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 597mg 26%
Total Carbohydrate 17g 6%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 2g
Vitamin C 17mg 85%
Calcium 23mg 2%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 163mg 3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)