Feb 3, 2012

Chavela (Mexican Beer with Tomato Juice)

A classic version of a Mexican cerveza preparada (prepared beer), the chavela couldn't be simpler: tomato juice, hot sauce, beer, lemon, and ice, with a salted rim. Drink it on its own, or pair it with a shot of tequila for a real kick.

Credit: Maxime Iattoni

MAKES ONE COCKTAIL

Ingredients

Lemon wedge
Kosher salt, for rimming the glass
3 oz. tomato juice
6 dashes hot sauce, like Tabasco or Cholula
12 oz. bottle light-bodied Mexican beer, like Corona
1.5 oz. tequila (optional)

Instructions

Rub the lemon wedge around the rim of a glass; reserve the lemon wedge. Pour some sea salt out onto a plate, and rub the rim of the glass in the salt to coat. Fill the glass with ice, add tomato juice, hot sauce, and beer to fill. Drop in the lemon wedge. Serve with a shot of tequila, if you like.