Beer And Tequila: Mixing Alcohol Safely

Beer and tequila are both popular drinks, but can you drink beer after tequila? The answer is yes, and there are even cocktails that combine the two. One such cocktail is the Lagerita, which is a combination of a traditional margarita and a light and crisp Mexican beer. Another option is the Tequila Shandy Beer Cocktail, which includes hard lemonade, lager-style beer, and a shot of tequila. The Corrido Prohibido is another tequila and beer cocktail that is perfect for a hot summer day. So, while you can certainly drink beer after tequila, there are also creative ways to combine the two for a unique and refreshing cocktail experience.

Beer and tequila cocktails

Lagerita

The Lagerita is a unique cocktail that combines a traditional margarita with an icy cold Mexican lager. It is a creation of bartending veteran, distiller, and consultant Simon Ford. This cocktail is best served in a highball glass with ice and optionally, a salted rim. To make the cocktail, add tequila, Cointreau (or another orange liqueur), and lime juice to a shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled. Strain the mixture into the prepared glass and top it off with a light and crisp Mexican beer like Modelo, Corona, Pacifico, or Tecate. Garnish with a lime wheel, and your Lagerita is ready to be enjoyed!

Corrido Prohibido

The Corrido Prohibido is a simple and refreshing tequila and beer cocktail. All you need is your favourite blanco tequila and a lightly bodied Mexican beer such as Corona, Imperial, Modelo, Presidente, or Azteca. Start by wetting the rim of a small chilled beer mug or 8-ounce glass with a lime wedge and dipping it into coarse salt. Pour in 2 ounces of blanco tequila and slowly pour in 6 ounces of beer. Garnish with a lime wedge, and your Corrido Prohibido is ready to be savoured.

Tequila Shandy

The Tequila Shandy is a fun twist on the classic Mexican beer cocktail, the Shandy, which is typically made with half beer and half lemonade. For the tequila version, grab a bottle of Mexican lager and a bottle of hard lemonade. Pour half of each into a glass, add a shot of tequila, and squeeze a wedge of lemon or lime over the top. This cocktail is perfect for those who want a light, lemony drink with a kick.

Margarita Beer Shandy

This cocktail combines the flavours of a classic margarita with the buttery goodness of beer. All you need is blanco tequila, limeade, and a lager beer like Dos Equis. Mix the tequila and limeade, and pour them into a glass. Top it off with the beer, and garnish with a fresh lime slice. You can even float the lime wheel on top of the cocktail to allow the lime juice to mix with the beer and limeade slowly. This cocktail is perfect for those who want a well-rounded, bubbly margarita with a unique twist.

The Lagerita

Ingredients

• Salt (optional)
• Lime juice (freshly squeezed)
• Beer (Mexican lager, such as Modelo, Corona, Pacifico, or Tecate)
• Tequila (preferably silver tequila made with 100% agave)
• Cointreau or another orange liqueur
• Ice

Instructions

• If desired, coat the rim of a highball glass with salt.
• Fill the glass with ice and set it aside.
• In a cocktail shaker, combine the tequila, Cointreau, and lime juice with ice.
• Shake until well-chilled.
• Strain the mixture into the prepared glass.
• Top it off with the beer.
• Garnish with a lime wheel.

Tips

• It is important to use a light lager for this cocktail. Avoid ales like IPAs, stouts, or porters as they can add too much bitterness or overwhelm the other flavours.
• While Cointreau is the typical choice for Margaritas, you can substitute it with a more affordable orange liqueur like dry curaçao.
• Taste the cocktail after adding the beer and adjust the sweetness level with additional simple syrup if needed.

The best beers to mix with tequila

While beer is an uncommon cocktail ingredient, it can be used to make drinks such as shandies, micheladas, and even beer margaritas. Here are some of the best beers to mix with tequila:

Mexican Lager

A light, crisp Mexican lager such as Modelo, Corona, Pacifico, Tecate, Dos Equis, or Sol is a perfect choice for a beer margarita. These beers add carbonation and brightness to the cocktail without overwhelming the other flavours.

Hard Lemonade

For a refreshing summer drink, mix a shot of tequila with a Mexican lager and hard lemonade. This drink is known as a Tequila Shandy or a "turbo" shandy. The lemonade adds a tangy twist to the cocktail, and the tequila gives it an extra kick.

Topo Chico

Topo Chico mineral water has gained a cult following, and for good reason. Its high mineral content and refreshing fizz make it an ideal mixer for tequila. Simply add some tequila to a bottle of Topo Chico and a squeeze of citrus, and you've got a simple yet sophisticated drink.

Grapefruit Shandy

For a fruity twist on the classic shandy, try using a grapefruit beer such as Leinenkugel’s® Grapefruit Shandy. The grapefruit flavour pairs surprisingly well with tequila, and the low carbonation makes it easy to mix.

When mixing beer and tequila, it's important to use a light lager or beer. Heavier styles like stout or porter will overwhelm the other flavours and give the drink an unpleasant colour. As for the tequila, a blanco or silver tequila is a good choice, but avoid cheap bottles that may not have the desired flavour.

The best tequilas to mix with beer

There are many different tequilas that can be mixed with beer, depending on your taste preferences. Beer is an uncommon cocktail ingredient, but it can add carbonation and brightness to a drink without diluting the flavours as much as club soda.

A classic Mexican beer cocktail is a shandy, which is half beer and half lemonade. To make a "turbo" shandy, add a shot of tequila. For this cocktail, it is recommended to use a lager-style beer and a mid-range tequila.

A margarita can also be adapted to include beer. This cocktail usually consists of tequila, triple sec, and lime juice, but a light lager can be added to create a drink known as a Lagerita. It is important to use a light lager, such as Modelo, Corona, Pacifico, or Tecate, as an ale like an IPA will add too much bitterness.

When it comes to the tequila, a quality silver tequila is recommended, but it doesn't have to be top-shelf as you will be adding beer. It is also important to avoid tequilas that aren't made with 100% agave. Some recommended tequilas include:

• El Tesoro
• Cimarron
• Lunazul
• Tapatio
• Tequila Ocho Plata
• Elvelo
• Teremana
• Volcán De Mi Tierra Blanco
• PATRÓN Añejo Sherry Cask Aged
• Maestro Dobel Diamanté
• Pueblo Viejo Blanco

Corrido Prohibido

The Corrido Prohibido is a delightful combination of tequila and beer, offering a refreshing drinking experience, especially during those hot summer days. The name, which translates to "prohibited corrido", is derived from a subgenre of Mexican folk music that celebrates a life of crime. While the drink itself may not be as risqué as its name suggests, it certainly adds a touch of intrigue to your drinking experience.

Ingredients and Preparation:

To craft this beverage, you'll need the following ingredients:

• Blanco tequila: Opt for a mid-priced bottle, such as Espolón Blanco, Casamigos, or Herradura Silver. Blanco tequila contributes peppery and citrus flavours to the mix.
• Mexican beer: Go for a light-bodied option like Corona, Imperial, Modelo, Presidente, or Azteca.
• Lime wedges: Used for rimming the glass and adding a citrusy garnish.
• Coarse salt: This is optional and used for rimming the glass, adding a salty contrast to the drink.

The preparation is simple:

• Wet the rim of a small chilled beer mug or 8-ounce glass with a lime wedge and dip it into a small dish of coarse salt to create a salted rim (if desired).
• Pour 2 ounces of blanco tequila into the glass.
• Slowly pour 6 ounces of Mexican beer on top.
• Garnish with a lime wedge, and your Corrido Prohibido is ready to be enjoyed!

A Word of Caution:

While the Corrido Prohibido is a delightful drink, it's important to pace yourself. These drinks are easy to sip and can lead to overindulgence without you even realising it. The alcoholic content can vary depending on the tequila and beer used, but on average, a Corrido Prohibido sits at around 14% ABV, similar to a glass of wine. So, drink responsibly and savour the unique flavours of this Mexican-inspired cocktail!

Frequently asked questions