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Cool down with a refreshing chelada! This Mexican beer cocktail features a salt-rimmed glass, lime juice, and a Mexican lager beer. It’s simple, quick to make, and perfect to enjoy with friends on your patio!
What Is a Chelada?
A chelada is a simple and refreshing beer cocktail that features Mexican lager beer in a glass with a salted rim and lime juice. You’ve probably seen this popular drink at a Mexican restaurant, but they’re so simple you can definitely make your own at home!
Chelada vs Michelada. What’s the difference?
Although they sound similar, cheladas and micheladas are very different. Micheladas are beer cocktails similar to a bloody mary in that it uses tomato juice, hot sauce, and other spices along with a Mexican lager beer. Cheladas are strictly Mexican lager beer with salt and lime. Check out my michelada recipe!
Chelada Ingredients
- Mexican lager beer: My favorites to use are Corona, Modelo Especial, Dos X, Tecate, Sol, and Pacifico.
- Lime wedge and kosher salt: Used to make the salted rim. You can also use a tub of margarita salt.
- Lime juice: You can use freshly squeezed limes or store-bought lime juice, but I find fresh limes to have better flavor.
- Ice: This is optional, but it definitely makes it more refreshing.
Tip!
Using ice is optional. It definitely makes the drink extra cold, but it also has the potential to water it down if left sitting too long. To prevent it from getting watered down, make sure the beer and lime juice are chilled before using.
How to Make a Chelada
- Make the salted rim. Run a lime around the rim of your glass. Dip the edge of the glass in kosher salt.
- Add some ice cubes, if using, and pour in the lime juice and beer.
- Garnish with a lime wedge, and enjoy!
Chelada Variations
Cheladas are inherently simple and refreshing drinks to make. If you’re wanting to jazz it up a bit, here are a few things you can do!
- Try using Tajín or chili lime seasoning on the rim instead of kosher salt for a spicy kick.
- Traditionally this drink is made with Mexican lager beer, but you can use any of your favorite refreshing beers, like an IPA or even a wheat beer.
Recommended Tools
- Beer glasses. Basic 16-ounce pint glasses for beer are the best for this recipe.
- Lime squeezer. A must for squeezing out as much lime juice out of every lime.
- Margarita salt. Not totally necessary, but this makes rimming glasses for various cocktails super easy! I use mine all the time, and it lasts a long time.
Serving Suggestions
An ice-cold chelada pairs beautifully with so many Mexican appetizers and dishes! Here are a few suggestions:
More Mexican Drinks
Mexican Chelada
Ingredients
- lime wedge and kosher salt, for rimming glass
- 3 tablespoons lime juice (about 1 ½ limes), chilled
- 12 ounce Mexican lager beer, chilled
- ice, optional
Instructions
- Run a lime wedge around the rim of a pint glass. Dip the edge of the glass in kosher salt.
- Add a few ice cubes to the glass (if using). Pour in the lime juice and beer.
- Garnish with a lime wedge and enjoy.
Notes
- Mexican lager: A light Mexican lager is best for making cheladas. Corona, Modelo, Tecate, and Sol are all great options!
- Ice: This is optional and has the potential to water down the drink if it’s left sitting for a while. If you don’t want to use ice because of this, make sure the beer and lime juice is extra cold.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
So refreshing. Add a shot of tequila and you have a Chavela!
This is one of my favorite summer drinks! Super easy and refreshing.