Chelada
The Chelada is a Mexican beer cocktail that’s become my warm weather staple! With just three ingredients—Mexican lager, fresh lime…
The Chelada is a Mexican beer cocktail that’s become my warm weather staple! With just three ingredients—Mexican lager, fresh lime juice, and a spiced salt rim—it’s an easy way to transform ordinary beer into something truly special.
Want a refreshing beer cocktail that’s as irresistible as it is easy to mix up? Try a Mexican-style Chelada! I still remember my first Chelada. That first refreshing sip—the perfect balance of cold beer, tangy lime, and savory salt—instantly transported me to vacation mode.
Top it off with a salty rim and it’s ideal for anytime: brunch, cocktails on the patio, or a dinner of shrimp tacos. As two cocktail experts, we love the zingy, hoppy flavor of this drink paired with a salty rim. It also couldn’t be easier to mix up, making it one of our top picks for laid-back entertaining!
After experimenting with beers, lime ratios, and rim seasonings, I finally perfected this simple yet transformative cocktail. Now it’s our go-to drink for everything from casual weeknight taco dinners to backyard gatherings with friends. There’s something magical about how just a splash of lime and a salt rim can elevate an ordinary beer into something extraordinary.
Ingredients in an authentic Chelada
A Chelada is a type of cervesa preparada: a beer cocktail or “prepared beer” in Spanish. There are a few types of this popular beer cocktail: best guess is that it came to be in the 1960’s. There are all sorts of variations on it all over Mexico, so there’s no “official” recipe. One theory on where the name came from: ordering “mi chela helada“, which means “my ice cold beer” in Spanish! But know one knows for sure.
Another cervesa preparada is called the Michelada, which is very similar. But the standard definition is that the Chelada features Mexican lager with lime, where the Michelada is like a Bloody Mary made with beer. Here’s what you’ll need for a Chelada:
- Mexican lager beer (like Sol, Corona, Modelo, or other)
- Lime juice
- Fine sea salt and Old Bay or tajin, for the rim
Tips for making a Chelada
It’s so easy to make a Chelada: you don’t even need to dirty a cocktail shaker! My favorite cocktails are the types that are built right in the glass. Here are my tips for a next level Chelada:
- Add the lime juice first. This recipe has just enough lime juice to add a zing, but not so much that it overwhelms the delicate beer flavor.
- Consider using clear ice for a polished look. Clear ice is ice you can make at home that’s perfectly crystal clear, instead of cloudy like normal ice. It’s easy to make and makes your cocktails look like they’re from a fancy bar. Here’s How to Make Clear Ice.
- Pour in the beer: and that’s it! Use your favorite Mexican-style lager, like Modelo Especial, Corona, Sol, or Pacifico. Their light, crisp character pairs with lime without overwhelming it.
The rim makes the drink
The key to a good Chelada? The salt rim! Like a good margarita, it’s absolutely essential to the overall flavor. Using salt on the rim helps to bring out the sour flavors of the lime-infused beer. Here’s what to know about rimming the glass:
- Place equal parts fine salt and Old Bay or tajin on a plate. Old Bay is an American spice blend that packs a powerful punch. Use purchased or homemade. Or for a more traditional Mexican vibe use tajin, a popular chili, lime and salt blend.
- Cut a wedge in a lime to wet the glass rim. This is much easier than using your finger! Just cut a notch in the lime and run it around the edge.
- Dip the outer edge of the glass in the salt. All you want is the outer edge of the glass, not the inside where it can fall in the drink. Shake off any loose salt into the sink.
Make it your own—a few variations
Once you’ve mastered the classic Chelada, try these personal variations I’ve developed over years of experimentation:
Spicy Chelada: Add 2-3 dashes of hot sauce and a small slice of serrano or jalapeño pepper to the glass before pouring the beer.
Chelada Especial: Add a splash (about ½ ounce) of fresh orange juice along with the lime for a slightly sweeter, more complex citrus flavor.
Non-Alcoholic Chelada: Replace the beer with a non-alcoholic Mexican lager for a refreshing mocktail.
What to serve with it
Some cocktails don’t pair well with food: they’re more meant to be the main event (like an Old Fashioned or a Manhattan). Other cocktails go very well with food: like the Chelada! It’s meant to be enjoyed with food. Here’s what to food to serve with a Chelada:
- Tacos: Try taco recipes like fish tacos or shrimp tacos
- Chips & salsa: Pair it with warm homemade tortilla chips and salsa
- Elote: Try it with Mexican grilled corn (elote), elote salad, or Mexican street corn dip
- Guacamole: Homemade guacamole is fabulous with a Chelada
- Queso or bean dip: Try our bean dip, vegan queso, or refried bean dip
- Grilled dishes: Try it with grilled shrimp or grilled chicken
- Enchiladas: Try it with chicken enchiladas or cheese enchiladas
Frequently asked questions
Light Mexican lagers like Corona, Modelo, or Pacifico are the most common choices for Cheladas. However, you can experiment with other light beers to find your preference.
Fresh lime juice is always best for the freshest flavor.
Yes! You can easily make a virgin Chelada by using non-alcoholic beer. Here are our top recommendations for Best Non Alcoholic Beer.
I don’t recommend pre-mixing Cheladas as the beer will quickly lose its carbonation. Instead, prepare your rimmed glasses in advance and keep Mexican beer well-chilled. Set up a station with fresh lime juice measured into small containers so guests can assemble their own drinks, maintaining that perfect fizz.
Chelada (Beer Cocktail)
Pin Recipe
Print RecipeThe Chelada is a Mexican beer cocktail that’s easy and refreshing! This irresistible drink pairs lager with lime juice and a salt rim.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 2 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink
- Category: Drink
- Method: Stirred
- Cuisine: Cocktails
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Instructions
- On a plate, mix the Old Bay and salt and spread it into an even layer. Cut a notch in a lime wedge, then run the lime around the rim of a glass. Dip the edge of the rim into a plate of salt.
- Add the lime juice and pinch of salt to the beer glass. Fill the glass with ice and pour in the beer. Stir gently and serve.
More Mexican cocktails
Love Mexican-style drinks? Here are a few more great Mexican cocktails to try:
- Go for the classic margarita, or try all our best margarita recipes
- Try the Michelada, a spicy Mexican beer cocktail made with tomato juice, lime, and hot sauce
- Opt for the Paloma or Cantarito, made with grapefruit and tequila!
- Go for tequila-based spins on classics, like the Mexican Mule or Bloody Maria
