Beat the summer heat with our straightforward Chavela recipe! Tequila, Clamato, hot sauce, lager beer and a dash of lime make this cocktail ideal to cool off on the hottest summer days.
Prep time:
1 minute
Mixing time:
1 minute
Servings:
1
Calories:
181
Ingredients
- 2 oz Clamato
- 1 oz Tequila
- 1 oz lime juice
- 1 bottle Mexican Lager Beer
- Hot sauce - to taste
- Ice cubes
- Salt and chili powder or Tajin - for rimming the glass, optional
- Lime slice - for garnish, optional
Equipment
- Pint Glass
- Measuring Jigger
Instructions
- Prep Glass: Rim your pint glass with Tajin or salt mixed with chili powder. To do so, use a lime slice to slightly wet the rim of the glass. Then, delicately press the edge of the glass into the surface of a plate filled with chili salt or Tajin.
- Fill Glass: Add ice cubes to your pint glass.
- Add Lime Juice: Squeeze in 1 oz lime juice.
- Add Hot Sauce: Add a few dashes of hot sauce (to taste).
- Add Clamato Juice: Follow with 2 oz Clamato.
- Add Tequila: Pour in 1 oz Tequila. If you prefer, you can also serve it in a shot glass on the side.
- Top with Beer: Fill the rest of the glass with 1 bottle Mexican Lager Beer.
- Garnish: Finish off with a lime slice for garnish and serve immediately.
Notes
Substitutes:
- Mexican Lager Beer: Any light-bodied lager will do the trick if you need help finding a Mexican lager. I've even used a pilsner in a pinch, and it worked fine.
- Tequila: If Tequila isn't your thing, try substituting it with mezcal for a smokier flavor profile.
- Clamato Juice: Tomato juice is an excellent alternative if you still need to get Clamato juice on hand. Just add a dash of Worcestershire sauce to mimic the savory flavor of Clamato.
Making a Pitcher of Chavela:
- Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 16 oz Clamato, 8 oz Tequila, 8 oz Lime Juice, 8 bottles of Mexican Lager Beer, and Hot sauce to taste.
- Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the Tequila, Clamato juice, hot sauce, and lime juice. Stir well.
- Serve: Pour the mixture into individual ice-filled pint glasses rimmed with salt and chili powder, top with beer, garnish with a lime slice, and serve immediately.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Beer Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic lager as a substitute for the Mexican lager beer.
- Tequila Substitute: Opt for a non-alcoholic spirit that mimics the flavor of Tequila.
- Proceed As Usual: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes instead of the regular ingredients, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.
Making it Vegan:
- Clamato Juice Substitute: Since Clamato juice contains clam broth, it's not vegan. Substitute it with tomato juice and add a dash of soy sauce to mimic the umami flavor. Proceed with the rest of the recipe as usual.
What is a Chavela Drink?
A Chavela Drink is a beer cocktail made of Clamato (a blend of tomato juice and clam broth), hot sauce, and lime juice and often served in a salt-rimmed glass. This drink is relatively easy to make as it requires only a few ingredients and no special equipment or techniques. It’s a variant of the well-known Michelada cocktail but with its unique twist due to the addition of Clamato.
What is a Chavela Drink made of – The ingredients
If you’re making a Chavela Drink, here’s what you’ll need:
- Clamato Juice: This tomato-clam juice blend forms the base of the Chavela, providing a savory and slightly sweet flavor.
- Mexican Lager Beer: Adds a crisp, refreshing element to the drink. The beer’s carbonation also helps to blend the flavors.
- Lime Juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice brings a tangy acidity that balances out the sweetness of the Clamato juice.
- Hot Sauce: A dash of hot sauce gives the Chavela a spicy kick. The heat level can be adjusted according to personal preference.
- Tequila: The Tequila is the backbone of the mixture, it adds character and complexity.
- Tajin Seasoning: A sprinkle of this chili-lime salt on the rim of the glass enhances the overall flavor profile and adds a touch of heat.
- Ice Cubes: Used to chill the drink, ensuring it is served refreshingly cold.
