This week’s Friday Drinks says hola to May and Cinco de Mayo – a Mexican day of celebration countries all over the world have taken to. And to drink, we’ll be serving the ‘Michelada’ Mexican Bloody Mary – a fiery beer-based cocktail that shoves its gringo cousin to the floor!
As 5th May is a Mexican celebration, we thought a Mexican drink should feature. So when Cinco de Mayo comes, we’ve all got a delicious beverage to raise a glass to and say salud to a great Mexican tradition.
But what is this celebration for? I just presumed it was for Mexican independence against the Spanish or the French, but it’s not. Mexican Independence Day is 16th September – nowhere near May!
Cinco de Mayo remembers an unexpected victory against the French occupation in 1852. The victory at the Battle of Puebla was not a significant one though and despite beating the French then, the invaders came back a year later and stayed in Mexico for a further three years.
However, the Battle of Pueblo and 5th May symbolises unity and national pride in Mexico. So there.
The Mexican Bloody Mary
We were introduced to this amazing cocktail by Regina at Mr Moustache in Bondi . It’s a delicious blend of Mexican beer, smoky mezcal and spicy tomato juice. You can’t get more Mexican than that!
The recipe at Mr Moustache contains a few in-house secrets they were understandably reluctant to share with us, but there are many variations on this classic drink anyway, so here’s our version of the Michelada Mexican Bloody Mary.
Here’s what you need:
- 100ml tomato juice
- Single shot of mezcal
- A bottle of Corona cerveza
- Single shot of beef consommé
- Single shot of orange juice
- ½ a lime
- Salt flakes such as Maldon sea salt and dried chilli flakes mixed together about 2:1 ratio.
- At least two or three dashes of Tabasco sauce
- Ice
- Beer mug.
Here’s what you do:
- Make the consommé by dissolving a beef stock cube in 500ml of boiling water (or using one of those ready to use cartons) and chill it.
- Wet the edges of the beer mug with a little beer and dip the glass rim in the salt and chilli flakes.
- Mix the tomato juice, consommé and orange juice in the glass over ice.
- Add the Tabasco and mezcal, and squeeze the lime juice in on top.
- When you’re ready to serve the drink, top up with the beer and leave the rest in the bottle for further top-ups.
- Garnish with a lime wedge.
- Throw your hat in the air and yell arriba in a very loud voice!
You can add Worcester sauce to this as well if you like. I don’t like, so I don’t add!
The combination of all these flavours makes this an impressive cocktail. The sweetness from the orange, the savouriness of the consommé and the spicy edge from the Tabasco mix perfectly with the tomato juice base.
Meanwhile the beer adds fizz and bitterness, and the mezcal gives that lovely smoky flavour I love about this unsung spirit.
Have a happy Cinco de Mayo, everyone!
How will you celebrate 5th May? Tell us in the comments!
For more beer-based cocktails, click here for our Aussie Sailor recipe.
Smaggle
Holy shit yes. I want one. Even though it’s freezing, I could definitly go a cold beverage.
Mr Romance
The best this is this has enough heat in it to keep you warm till the alcohol kicks in, Smags!
Sonia Life Love Hiccups
You had me at Friday drinks lol. YUM! x
Mr Romance
Always a good way to end the weekend if you ask me, Sonia! This week we’ll be doing our monthly wine review for Friday Drinks. Hope you’ll be able drop by then too. 🙂
Jx