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SavourySpicyBrunchLow sugar

Virgin Michelada

Savoury, spicy and citrus-sharp, with a chilli-salt rim. The most interesting savoury drink you can make without alcohol.

Prep
5 min
Serves
1
Glass
Highball
Difficulty
Easy

Ingredients

  • 1 oz fresh lime juice
  • 2 dashes hot sauce
  • 2 dashes Worcestershire sauce (check the label if you avoid anchovy)
  • Pinch of salt and black pepper
  • 6 oz chilled non-alcoholic beer (or soda water for a lighter version)
  • Tajín or chilli-salt, for the rim
  • Lime wedge, to garnish

Method

  1. 1Rim a tall glass with lime and chilli-salt.
  2. 2Fill with ice and add the lime juice, hot sauce, Worcestershire, salt and pepper.
  3. 3Top slowly with the non-alcoholic beer — poured fast it foams straight over.
  4. 4Stir gently once and garnish with a lime wedge.

Notes

  • Non-alcoholic beer is genuinely good here, because the drink is mostly lime, salt and spice anyway.
  • Pour the beer down the side of the glass and slowly, or you'll lose half of it to foam.
  • Add a splash of clamato or tomato juice for the michelada's heavier cousin.

Common questions

Can you make a michelada without beer?

Yes — either use a non-alcoholic beer, which works very well since the drink is built on lime, salt and chilli, or use soda water for a lighter, sharper version.

Make one of these next

  • Virgin Bloody Maria

    A Virgin Mary with smoke and heat. Better than the original if you like chilli.

  • Virgin Mary

    A Bloody Mary without the vodka — which loses almost nothing, as long as you season it properly.

  • Cranberry Orange Spritzer

    Tart, bright and barely sweet. Two minutes, and it looks like an occasion.

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