Go beyond the tequila beer chaser with this refreshing drink that will transport you to a Mexican beach.
Beer-based cocktails, also known as “beertails,” are nothing new. The English Shandy, the German Radler, and the French Panaché are all good examples of an old tradition of mixing a light beer or ale with lemonade or lemon-flavored soda. In Mexico, the savory, spicy Michelada is a beer cocktail often enjoyed after a night of indulgence, and locals often accompany their ice cold refreshing lagers, perhaps enhanced with a squeeze of fresh lime and a salted rim, with a shot of tequila on the side, chasing one after the other during a lively conversation.
This here cocktail eliminates the chasing step, combining the beer, lime and tequila into one single libation. Think of it as a beer-based Margarita. In fact, some people call this Tequila and Beer Cocktail a “lagerita,” which is an apt description for this thirst quenching, citrusy beertail. Light and effervescent, it is a welcome change of pace from boozier cocktails, perfect for pairing with spicy foods or as an apertif on a sunny day. Think ceviche, sushi, or an Asian noodle salad. Heck, it would be lovely with some classic fish and chips.
It’s incredibly easy to make, whether you’re making one or 10, so it is great to kick off an afternoon party if you want to start slow on the alcohol intake. The flavor balances the bitterness of the beer with tartness from fresh lime and a hint of sweetness from the Cointreau. It still has the boozy kick from tequila, but the beer and lime soften it considerably. Be careful, however, as it is very easy drinking. Close your eyes, have a sip, and transport yourself to a sun drenched beach with your toes in the sand.
What is the Best Alcohol to Use to Make a Tequila and Beer Cocktail?
Your favorite lager will do for the beer, just be sure it’s nice and cold. A Mexican beer is an obvious choice, but experiment with any blonde ale if you like. A sour beer or gose would be a no-brainer. Our recipe recommends Cointreau for its pronounced orange flavor, but you could use any orange liqueur you prefer. As always, choose a 100% Blue Weber agave tequila. Stick with a blanco or reposado, as I think an añejo’s complex flavor would be lost in translation here.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces tequila
- 3/4 ounce Cointreau
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- 4 ounces Mexican lager
- lime wheel for garnish
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- Fill a shaker with ice, and pour in the tequila, Cointreau, and the lime juice. Shake well.
- Pour from the shaker into a highball glass filled with ice cubes.
- Slowly add the beer on top.
Nutrition
FAQs & Tips
A highball glass or a large beer mug or a pint glass will do fine. Make sure you use plenty of ice for this one. Garnish with a lime wheel, and salt the rim if you like.
This cocktail is best made at the moment you’re going to drink it. It is so easy to make that it won’t take you five minutes to assemble, and you can make more than one at a time if you need.
This cocktail contains around 254 calories.
A Mexican lager is preferred since it is refreshing and is light in flavor, but you can use any lager or pilsner that you prefer. An amber ale such as XX Amber or even Shiner Bock will work. Step out of the box and try a fruit flavored sour such as passion fruit or guava.
Any orange liqueur you have on hand will be fine, and if you want to vary the flavor, you could try any other fruit liqueur here. Think passion fruit, grapefruit, limoncello, or add a bit of spice using Ancho Reyes.
Tequila and Beer Cocktail Variations
- Classic Margarita: Combines the ingredients and flavors of the Tequila and Beer Cocktail, without the beer.
- Michelada: The spicy, tangy and effervescent beer cocktail of Mexico.
- Shandy and Radler: Half beer, half lemonade or lemon-lime soda, popular in Europe in the summer.
- Tequila and Beer Mocktail: Use a non-alcoholic beer and a tequila substitute, such as Ritual or Lyres.
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