Best Beer and Clamato & Red Beer

In its most basic form, the Chelada is a simple mixture of beer with lime and salt, originating in sunnyJamaica. This delicious combination migrated to Mexico in the 1940's and the Mexicans eventually put a new twist on the Chelada by substituting Clamato juice. Sometimes called a Michelada (mexican slang for "my little cold one"), especially when it involves hot pepper sauce, it became wildly popular south of the border and soon spread like fire through the Hispanic communities of the southwestern United States.

Beer and tomato juice has long been popular in the Midwest as well, and whenever tomato juice is in a drink, spices will be added according to individual taste, as people are wont to do. These are often called Red Beer, Red Eye, or Bloody Beer. Many Canadians love Beer and Clamato, calling them a “two and juice”. A blonde Mexican beer is the preferred choice for a chelada/michelada, such as Corona or Tecate', but any regular or light beer will do nicely.

Now, even the major brewers are cashing in on the trend, and prepared Cheladas and mixes are appearing on grocery shelves across America. But don't let those poor imitations fool you. These recipes offer a complex flavor with a kick, perfect as an eye-opener, a special treat with brunch, or a cool refresher on a lazy, hot summer afternoon. Invariably, you'll adjust the spices over time to create your own perfect concoction, but this is a great place to start. So call over your fellow pachucos and start mixing. It's la combinacion perfecta!

Clamato Ultimato

Ingredients:

• 1 regular or light beer (preferably Mexican)
• Clamato juice
• 5 dashes Tabasco
• 3 dashes Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon horseradish
• 2 pinches celery salt
• 2 pinches ground black pepper
• 6 ice cubes (if desired)
• 2 cubes of pepper jack cheese (garnish)
• 3 stuffed green olives (garnish)
• ¼ wedge kosher dill pickle (garnish)
• 1 large lime wedge
• chili powder (for rim)
• margarita salt (for rim)

Directions:

1. Ring the edge of a frozen, 1 pint beer glass with chili powder and salt. Pour in Clamato juice ¼ of the way to the top.
2. Add Tabasco, Worcestershire, horseradish, celery salt, black pepper, and ice cubes. Stir well.
3. Pour in cold beer in a manner that incorporates the juice and leaves a medium head ½ inch from the top of the glass. Stir if necessary.
4. Squeeze lime wedge into the drink, add olives and pepper jack cubes, arranged on a toothpick, then the pickle. Enjoy.

Note: If using a regular 12oz beer mug, halve all spice quantities.

Bloody Beer: Use V8 instead of Clamato juice.

“Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” - Benjamin Franklin

Stuffed olives & Pepperjack

Clamato Ultimato

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