Whilst engaged in an online discussion regarding gross soft drinks, the usual suspects of seasonal Mountain Dew flavors versus Mr. Pibb XTREME were thrown around, until someone dropped a big, fat, curious bombshell:
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Yes friends, if your eyes are working properly you are seeing the same thing that I did; the unholy union of Budweiser Brand beers and Clamato.
CHELADA. After stifling a dry heave, I decided to look into this seemingly nightmarish drink idea and sure enough, dated January 14th 2008, the fine folks at Anheuser-Busch put out a press release announcing their triumphant foray into the world of…. latin-themed drinks. Apparently, “Chelada” is like a Mexican’s drinkable BFF. |
The press release is a true gem of industry-speak in motion, observe:
The name Chelada is a shortened form of the Spanish word michelada which loosely translates to ‘my cold beer.’ To order Budweiser or Bud Light & Clamato Chelada, one might say: “Una michelada con clamato, por favor.” To shorten that but still keep the beer recognizable as the traditional recipe, Anheuser-Busch focused on the name Chelada.
“One look at the can and you know that this beer is the real thing – Budweiser and Bud Light mixed with authentic Clamato,” Vitrano said. “This is a savory beer that will appeal to adult beer drinkers, particularly those who enjoy beer mixed with Clamato.”
That last sentence is *hysterical.*
At any rate, I electronically saunter over to wikipedia and find that yes, in fact, Michelada is a real drink made by real Mexicans. Having read the full list of ingredients provided, the immediate words out of my mouth were “It’s a ghetto bloody mary.”
Michelada Recipe (thanks Wikipedia)
Into a chilled salt-rimmed mug or glass pour 325 mL (12 fl. oz.) of tomato juice or Clamato. Clamato is becoming more common.
* A few drops of hot sauce, such as Valentina, Bufalo or McIlhenny’s Tabasco sauce.
* A few drops of Worcestershire sauce
* A few drops of Maggi seasoning or soy sauce.
* Squeeze a lime wedge (lemon would neither be strong nor sour enough).
* Mix the ingredients in the glass.
* Slowly add one 325 mL (12 Fl. oz.) Mexican beer (preferably a light beer like Tecate or Dos Equis)
And as I read about this savory beer, this once revolting concept, a certain curiosity overwhelms me…. I have to try this shit. I’m going to try this shit. Will you try this shit?
To a New Jerseyan, it is one seriously weird concept and I guess the further you get from Mexico.
The existence of Clamato, it’s self still causes a mild sense of tilt.
A visit to Wikipedia gives the history and popular use of Clamato: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clamato
and it’s use in a Canadian concoction called “Caesar”: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caesar_(cocktail)
A Michelada Cubana includes the addition of hot sauce like this one: Evil Hot brand Habanero Hot Sauce : http://www.evilhot.com/
I’ll let you be the guinea pig or test subject on this one.
Bottoms up!
you do know that between this, the bacon vodka, and what ever else you’ve decided to drink in your life, at some point your liver will actually lead a revolt against you, from the inside, right?
You have to drink stuff like this occasionally, because you want to show your liver who’s boss, and that it should appreciate the day to day abuse it gets. it could be worse mister!
I actually bought a can of that when it first came out on a whim when I saw it at a gas station. I took about three extremely painful sips before pouring the rest out.
My buddy, who is decidedly un-Mexican, and his entire family chug clamato much like normal white people might drink milk.