DRINK UP

Make a spicy Mexican beverage for your next gathering

Move over bloody Mary, the michelada is THE beverage for those who prefer savoury over sweet. It is believed to have been born in the 1970s in Mexico when a guest at a restaurant ordered their lager with ice and lime. They called it ‘mi chela helada’, which translates to ‘my cold beer’. As the drink gained popularity, it evolved into two drinks. The original cocktail with beer, lime, ice and a salted rim is called chelada. Add a tomato-based juice, chilli and an elaborate garnish and you get a michelada. Besides being super tasty, the michelada is also a fuss-free drink. There are numerous recipes for it and you can go wild with garnishes. I’ve even seen an entire roast chicken propped up on this drink.

Keeping these elaborate garnishes in mind, start with a tall, heavy-bottomed glass that can balance the weight of the garnishes. Use large bamboo skewers so you can load them with a variety of snacks and still balance them securely in the drink. For a one-stop-shop for garnishes, head to the Spinneys deli counter for pickles, antipasti, cold-cuts and cheese. You can also make your own signature version with different ingredients. Instead of Clamato, try Big Tom Tomato Juice and add a spicy kick with Tabasco or Frank’s Red Hot. Use Waitrose Cooks’ Ingredients Barbacoa Seasoning or celery salt on the rims. Heineken 0.0 or Drynks Unlimited Smashed Citrus are also good options. Viva la michelada!

3 to try

CALENO DARK & SPICY

A non-alcoholic rum, this delicious tropical drink combines, vanilla, ginger, pineapple and coconut. calenodrinks.com

NIX AND KIX BLOOD ORANGE TURMERIC

With turmeric and cayenne extracts, this sparkling juice is also free of added sugar and sweeteners. nixandkix.com

270° WEST SPICED CARIBBEAN BLEND

Spicy and fruity with subtle notes of caramel, this non-alcoholic rum is created from 100% natural botanicals. 270degrees.co.uk

Prep time: 10 minutes

Makes: 2-3 drinks

1tbsp Tajín Clásico chili lime seasoning

3 tsp lime juice

1 Drynks Unlimited Smashed Pale 250ml Clamato juice

1½ tsp Springs Habanero Premium Wood

Aged Hot Sauce

1 tsp Maggi Soya Sauce

SpinneysFOOD Ice

To serve

Cherry tomatoes

Olives

Cornichons

Bamboo skewers

Celery sticks with leaves

Lime slices

1 Rub a lime wedge around the edge of the glasses then dip the rims in the chili lime seasoning. 2 Prepare the garnishing by threading the cherry tomatoes, olives and cornichons onto the skewers. 3 In a pitcher, combine the lime juice, alcohol-free beer, Clamato juice, hot sauce and soya sauce. 4 Add ice cubes to the glasses and top with the michelada mixture. 5 Garnish and serve.

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Making