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Easy Summer Chelada Recipe

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If you’ve never tried a Chelada recipe, you’re going to love it! This simple beer-based cocktail is refreshing and bright and full of flavor. It’s easy to make and is a perfect pairing for tacos and nachos.

A tall glass filled with a chelada and a lime slice next to a whote lime.
Let’s make this easy chelada recipe.

What is a Chelada?

Have you heard of Micheladas? They are basically a beer-based version of a bloody mary and they look delicious. But I can’t really wrap my head around a tomato-based cocktail. I want to like it. I just don’t think I can.

The term “chelada” is basically slang or a shortened version of Michelada. BUT there are tons of variations. I’m not an expert but I think a basic chelada is without the savory, tomato components. I might be wrong, but this is how I make mine. 

Related post: Easy Michelada with Pumpkin

I saw the Chelada recipe in Rachael Ray, and got so excited! It called for just two ingredients and sounded super easy to make. And I’m always looking for other Mexican inspired things to drink for parties or Cinco de Mayo. 

The pairing of Mexican beer and lime is classic. And this is just turning that combo into more of a cocktail. It’s kind of like a Mexican Arnold Palmer. And it’s super tasty. 

Chelada Ingredients

The ingredients to make a chelada - beer and limeade next to fresh lime slices.
Here’s what you’ll need to make this Corona chelada.
  • 1 bottle Corona
  • Batch of limeade (prepared)
  • lime to garnish

Personally, I LOVE Corona but you can use another type of light Mexican beer. But Corona is so good on a hot, hot day. 

I made a batch of limeade from frozen concentrate but you could also buy ready-made.

And then sliced lime for a garnish.

Some recipes call for just unsweetened lime juice instead of the limeade. And that wouldn’t be bad either. It’s really up to you! To me, adding just lime juice is basically how I drink Corona anyway. 

So swapping that out for limeade makes this a little “fancier.”

How to Make a Chelada

A striped towel beneath a corona, limeade and fresh limes to make a corona chelada.

Are you ready? It’s SO easy. It’s basically 1 part limeade to 2 parts Corona.

I’m not a fan of salt on my margaritas so I definitely didn’t do that here. A Corona Chelada is delicious on its own but if you like salt, feel free to rim your glass before making! 

Variations

  • Mint – muddle 8 to 10 mintleaves in your glass before adding the limeade and beer.
  • Pineapple – add about 1/4 cup pineapple juice to your chelada and stir (pineapple can be strong and over powering so I would recommend adding a little at a time until you make it the way you like it.)
  • Add a kick – Do you know what would be extra delicious?? A Tajin rim! I fell in love with that on my last trip to Mexico (OMG – I LOVE Riviera Nayarit!).
An easy chelada recipe in a glass filled with ice on top of a white and gray striped towel.

The Chelada is super refreshing and a great idea for warm weather entertaining. It’s also a great alternative to a margarita on Cinco de Mayo or any time you’re serving Mexican food! 

This fast and easy beer-based cocktail is perfect for warm days and taco nights! Try out this Chelada recipe with some friends and get the fiesta jumping! 

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More Mexican Inspired Cocktails

Mexican Snacks to Pair with your Chelada

A glass filled with an easy chelada beer cocktail next to a fresh lime.

Easy Chelada Recipe

If you're looking for a super refreshing beer-based cocktail, you'll love this Chelada recipe made with tart limeade!
5 from 1 vote
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Course: Drinks
Cuisine: Mexican
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 3 minutes
Servings: 1 cocktail
Calories: 92kcal

Ingredients

  • 6 oz. Corona or other light Mexican beer
  • 3 oz. Limeade prepared, if frozen

Instructions

  • Fill a glass with ice.
  • Add beer.
  • Top with Limeade.
  • Add fresh lime juice to taste.
  • Give a gentle stir.
  • Consider rimming the glass with salt if you like that sort of thing.

Notes

Variations
Mint – muddle 8 to 10 mint leaves in your glass before adding the limeade and beer.
Pineapple – add about 1/4 cup pineapple juice to your chelada and stir (pineapple can be strong and over powering so I would recommend adding a little at a time until you make it the way you like it.)
Add a kick – Do you know what would be extra delicious?? A Tajin rim! I fell in love with that on my last trip to Mexico (OMG – I LOVE Riviera Nayarit!).
  •  

Nutrition

Serving: 1Servings | Calories: 92kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 0.4g | Sodium: 12mg | Potassium: 36mg | Sugar: 10g | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 0.1mg
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4 Comments

  1. these look amazing! I cant wait to use these next week for cinco de mayo!

    1. Make sure to add the extra lime juice! Otherwise they taste a lot like beer. Which isn’t awful. :) Next time I might use the limeade concentrate but not add the water. It’s so refreshing!

  2. This looks like my kind of drink. The husband is a Corona fan so this might be one he would like too. xo

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