Brunchers know the Bloody Mary like the back of their hand—but have they met its beer-based, chili-spiced sister, the michelada?
This classic summer refresher takes an ice-cold beer and kicks it up a notch with spice, bold seasonings, and even seafood. Similar to a Bloody Mary, with beer instead of vodka, the michelada delivers citrusy, savory, and spicy flavors in a refreshing drink perfect to pair with a sun-warmed patio, a plate of tacos, or a turn at the grill. You’ll find it at Mexican restaurants across Virginia—or you can whip one up at home for a simple, mouthwatering treat that’s almost a salsa in beverage form.
Try it for yourself with this recipe from Tysons’ Tex-Mex dining destination, Ometeo.
2 ounces Michelada Mix*
Half a lime, juiced
12-ounce Mexican lager (light or dark—Ometeo prefers Monopolio Negra)
Chilled, Tajín-rimmed glass
Pour lime juice, Michelada Mix, and beer over ice in a Tajín-rimmed glass. Drop lime shell in glass. Gently stir to incorporate all ingredients.
Optional: Add a shot of tequila or mezcal.
Plus, Virginia Living’s suggestion? Garnish with cooked, Tajín-seasoned shrimp and a skewer of sliced mango.
Ometeo’s Michelada Mix Recipe for a Spicy Summer Cocktail
You can’t make the summer’s spiciest—and most refreshing—cocktail, the michelada, without the essential spice blend. That’s where Ometeo, the upscale Tex-Mex restaurant from Tysons, comes in. Their bold seasoning mix brings out the best in this classic Mexican beer cocktail, making the michelada a must-have drink for summer entertaining.
Michelada Seasoning Mix Recipe (from Ometeo):
8 ounces tomato juice
2 garlic cloves, peeled
2 ounces Maggi sauce
4 ounces Valentina Hot Sauce
3 ounces agave nectar
1 juiced serrano pepper
½ tablespoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
½ tablespoon citric acid
½ ounce (by weight) of ground ancho chile
6 ounces tomatillo juice (or lemon juice)
8 ounces orange juice
Add all ingredients to a blender and blend thoroughly until smooth. Add this flavorful mix to your next batch of micheladas to create a spicy, crowd-pleasing summer drink that’s perfect for parties, barbecues, and sunny weekends. OmeteoTexMex.com
This article originally appeared in the August 2025 issue.
