This recipe is featured on These Are My Storys.

When you think of Cinco de Mayo, what comes to mind? I think of margaritas, guacamole, lots of fajitas and, of course, cervezas! Capitalized on by the beer industry in the 1980’s, Cinco de Mayo has become synonymous with parties, fun, and lots of booze. So, in honor of this 5th of May, I decided to take my own spin on a cerveza with two variations of beer cocktails. Both pack a spicy kick, yet are refreshing and go down so easy!  To create these cocktails, I decided to use a local Philadelphia brewery’s version of a Mexican-style lager, Manayunk Brewing Company’s El Rio.

Manayunk Brewing Company’s El Rio Mexican Style Lager

ABV: 4% | IBU: 19

Manayunk Brewing Company’s El Rio is the perfect light-bodied lager to feature in these festive Cinco de Mayo beverages! Crisp, with toasty malt flavors, this brew has a bready aroma and finishes very clean. It is just as enjoyable and easy to drink straight from the can as it is in a cocktail!

Chavela

This is a classic version of a Mexican cerveza preparada (prepared beer) that is so simple and tasty and basically a Mexican version of a bloody mary!

Ingredients (Makes one cocktail)

• Lemon or lime wedge
• Lime salt (I prepared my own, but prepared salt is available in grocery stores)
• 3 oz. tomato juice
• 6 dashes hot sauce, I used Louisiana Hot Sauce
• 12 oz. can of Manayunk Brewing’s El Rio Mexican Style Lager
• 1 1/2 oz. of tequila

Directions

1. Rim the edge of a glass with a wedge of lemon or lime; put aside the wedge
2. Pour the lime salt onto a plate and roll the rim of the glass in the salt to coat the rim
3. In a mixer, blend the tomato juice, hot sauce, tequila and beer; shake thoroughly
4. Fill the glass with some ice, then add the cocktail mixture
5. Garnish with the slice of lemon or lime

With this cocktail, the El Rio lager balanced with the tomato juice to add a crisp refreshing flavor! The tequila adds a slight kick, but it doesn’t overpower the drink.

Michelada

A michelada is another version of a Mexican cerveza preparada, but this version is much lighter and resembles a very spicy shandy.

Ingredients (Makes one cocktail)

• 1 lemon or lime, cut into quarters
• Lime salt
• 2 dashes Worcestershire sauce
• 3/4 teaspoon hot sauce (I used Louisiana Hot Sauce)
• 1 can of Manayunk Brewing’s El Rio Mexican Style Lager
• Ice

Directions

1. Rim the outside of a tall pint glass with 1 quarter of the lime
2. Pour salt on a plate, then press the rim of a glass into the lime salt to rim the edge
3. Squeeze the rest of the limes into the glass and drop the limes into the glass
4. Add the Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce
5. Fill glass with ice, add beer, and stir. Garnish with a lemon or lime wedge

Enjoy and Happy Cinco de Mayo!!

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