How to Make a Michelada: An Easy Guide to the Perfect Michelada

Cold beer, lime, a little heat, savory flavor and that unmistakable michelada kick. There’s a reason the michelada has become one of Mexico’s most iconic beer drinks.

The best part? There’s no single “right” way to make one.

Micheladas can be spicy, tangy, savory, fruity or somewhere in between. You can build one from scratch with a collection of sauces and seasonings, or keep things simple with a ready-to-use michelada mix.

Here’s what you need to know to make a michelada your way.

What Is a Michelada?

A michelada is a Mexican beer cocktail typically made by combining cold beer with lime, savory seasonings, spice and other flavorful ingredients.

Recipes can vary depending on where you are, who’s making it and what flavors you like. Some versions are simple and lime-forward, while others include tomato or Clamato-style juice, hot sauce, Worcestershire-style sauce and additional seasonings.

That versatility is part of what makes micheladas so good. You can adjust the ingredients, spice level and flavors to make your chela exactly how you like it.

What Goes in a Michelada?

A homemade michelada can include ingredients such as:

• Mexican lager or your favorite beer
• Fresh lime juice
• Hot sauce
• Savory sauces and seasonings
• Chile and salt
• Tomato or Clamato-style juice, depending on the recipe
• A chile-salt rim

But you don't need every ingredient on that list to make a great michelada.

Depending on the recipe, making one from scratch can mean measuring several different sauces, seasonings and ingredients every time you want a drink.

That's where michelada mix comes in.

What Is Michelada Mix?

Michelada mix brings together the flavors you'd normally add separately to your beer into one convenient mix.

Instead of pulling out several bottles, sauces and seasonings every time you want a michelada, a prepared mix makes it easier to get the flavor you're looking for with fewer ingredients and less mess.

That's exactly why we created Chela Stix.

Chela Stix are individually portioned instant michelada mix sticks designed to make a flavorful michelada without measuring ingredients or carrying around bottles of mix.

One stick. One chela. No guesswork.

How to Make an Easy Michelada with Chela Stix

Making a michelada with Chela Stix is easy, but there's one important trick: Chela Stix goes into the glass first, and you'll want to take it slow when adding your beer.

1. Pour in your Chela Stix

Tear open one Chela Stix and pour the powder into an empty glass.

2. Slowly add your beer

Grab your beer of choice and slowly pour it into the glass over the Chela Stix mix.

You'll notice some fizzing as the beer hits the powder. That's normal!

Pour slowly and give the foam a chance to settle as you go. Pouring the beer too quickly can create a lot of foam, so don't rush this part.

3. Mix it up

Once you've added your beer, mix well until the Chela Stix has completely dissolved.

No grainy mix left behind. Just michelada flavor throughout your drink.

4. Make it yours

Drink it as-is or add ice, fresh lime, a seasoned rim or your favorite garnishes.

That's it.

Mix. Sip. Viva la Chela!

What Beer Is Best for a Michelada?

Mexican lagers are a classic choice for micheladas because their crisp, refreshing flavor pairs well with lime, chile, spice and savory flavors.

Beers like Mexican-style lagers and pilsners are an easy place to start, but there really isn't a rule saying you have to use a particular beer.

Already have a favorite? Try it.

Part of the fun of making micheladas is experimenting with different combinations until you find yours.

And if you're skipping alcohol, you can make a non-alcoholic michelada by using your favorite non-alcoholic beer instead.

Find Your Chela Stix Flavor

Not every michelada has to taste the same, which is why Chela Stix isn't just one flavor.

Whether you want to keep things classic, turn up the heat or try something completely different, there's a Chela Stix for your kind of chela. - Meet our flavors

Clásica
Our take on that classic michelada flavor. A solid place to start when you want the familiar savory, tangy experience that makes a michelada a michelada.

Big Dill – Spicy Pickle
Tangy, pickle-forward flavor with a spicy kick. If you're the person who always wants an extra pickle, this one's calling your name.

Mangonada
A fruity, tangy mango-inspired option that brings a completely different vibe to your beer.

La Diabla
For the spice lovers. This is the one to reach for when you want your chela with some extra heat.

El Camarón
A savory michelada-inspired flavor with its own distinct profile for when you want something beyond the classic.

Can't decide? That's what the Sampler Pack is for.

Micheladas Without All the Bottles

We love a good michelada.

What we don't love is needing half the refrigerator door to make one.

Chela Stix was created to make micheladas easier to enjoy wherever the good times happen. Each 7g stick is individually portioned, easy to carry and ready when you are.

Keep some at home. Throw a few in the cooler. Bring them to the carne asada. Pack them for the beach. Have them ready for game day, pool days, camping trips, house parties or a random Tuesday when a regular beer just isn't going to cut it.

No measuring. No collection of bottles. No guessing how much of everything to add.

Just pour, mix and enjoy.

Your Chela, Your Way

There's no single perfect michelada recipe.

Maybe yours is extra spicy. Maybe you want mango. Maybe you're team pickle. Maybe you want a classic michelada with a squeeze of fresh lime and an ice-cold Mexican lager.

That's the point.

Start with a cold beer, grab your favorite Chela Stix and make it yours.

Mix. Sip. Viva la Chela!