Inspired by the michelada served at Leon’s Fine Poultry & Oyster Shop in Charleston, the recipe is a South Carolinian take on a michelada, a well-known Mexican beer drink, is based on the Charleston-based Red Clay Hot Sauce for hot tingling flavor with a robust foundation made of sherry vinegar. While it is OK to substitute your preferred vinegar-based hot Sauce, Red Clay brings the perfect balanced balance of acidity, heat, and fresh pepper flavors.
This Charleston-inspired take on micheladas features the same traditional ingredients, including lime juice, hot Sauce, and a light flavor lager. Although there are many variations on this essential cocktail–some consist of savory Clamato or ginger juice – this more simple version veals the complex nature of the Red Clay hot sauce. It is made with pequin chiles, sweet cayenne chiles, and sherry vinegar. The red clay Carolina hot Sauce offers a sweetness that shines when served with lager and lime.
Selecting a beer to drink in a michelada is crucial for its popularity. For this case, the Red Clay Michelada, we were drawn to American-style lagers like Miller High Life, the Champagne of Beers, and, of course. This light lager permits the aromas and flavors of hot sauce and lime to shine. It also offers more of a savory base which balances everything.
To bring everything together to make everything more harmonious, the Red Clay Michelada gets an ample border made of Tajin Clasico, a Mexican spice blend made from dried chile, powdered lime, salt, and some sugar. Although Tajin was initially popularized in street snacks — it’s the perfect condiment to fresh fruit slices it’s quickly become a vital ingredient in bartenders’ arsenal too. It’s the perfect mix of spice, salt, and sweetness, playing off the michelada within the glass. It doesn’t matter if you drink the Red Clay Michelada out of a plastic cup or in a fancy highball glass; make sure to have the ingredients available. The drinks will go fast, and you’ll want to drink another.
Ingredients
- Tajin Clasico
- Three tablespoons fresh lime juice (from 1 lime)
- Two tablespoons Red Clay Carolina Hot Sauce (see Note)
- 6 ounces American-style lager (such as Miller High Life)
- Lime wheel
Directions
- The glass should be rimmed using Tajin. Add hot sauce and lime juice into the mirror and stir to mix. Add the beer and ice until it is all combined, approximately 10 seconds. Add lime wheels and serve.
