The 2-Ingredient Mexican Cocktail I Make All Summer Long

My wife and I live in Mexico, where the standard yellow lemon isn’t embraced in the way that it is in the United States. Instead, Mexico has limes (limónes), an ingredient so beloved and common that lime juice is served on (or in) more foods than you might think possible. That even includes beer, and that combination here in Oaxaca is called a suero.

I turned 21 during the great rise of craft beer, and for more years than I like to admit, I was one of those self-righteous craft beer guys. If you’d asked Twenty-Something-Year-Old-Me if he thought one of his favorite drinks would someday be a beer dosed with a healthy amount of fresh lime juice and salt, he would have laughed in your face and said something silly about hop terroir and International Bitterness Units. 

But now, in this next chapter of life, I’m less of a purist. A cold beer mixed with a couple of ounces of lime juice that’s served in a tall, frosty mug with a salted rim is my go-to drink. And, for that matter, one of the favored drinks of millions of other people in Mexico.

What Is a Suero (Or Chelada)?

In Oaxaca, we call it a suero—the same word used in Mexico for electrolyte recovery drinks like Gatorade. Elsewhere in Mexico, you’re just as likely to see it called a cheleda. Sueros/cheledas are refreshing and supremely easy to drink, the kind of beverage that’s just as good consumed in a relaxed restaurant as it is on the beach or next to a pool.

Sueros are ridiculously easy to make: All you need is a can or bottle of beer, two ounces of fresh lime juice, a tall beer mug or glass, and some coarse sea salt to dip the rim of the glass into.

Key Ingredients for Sueros 

You can use just about any kind of beer. Mexican lagers like Victoria, Dos Equis, Modelo, and Corona are especially popular pairings, but this is a forgiving recipe, and if you want something a little darker, give it a try with an amber ale.

Because this drink has so few ingredients, quality matters. Use freshly squeezed lime juice, as bottled juice or juice from concentrate will taste bitter and stale. 

Also, make sure you don’t skip the salt! It’s not just for show, it’s an important part of the flavor of the drink. If you don’t have sea salt, coarse kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal brand) will work as well. Just don’t use table salt, which won’t coat the glass well.

How To Make a Suero (Cheleda)

To make one serving, you’ll need:

• Coarse sea salt or kosher salt, for rimming the glass
• 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice (1 to 2 limes), 1 rind reserved
• 1 (12-ounce) can or bottle of beer, preferably a Mexican lager like Victoria, Dos Equis, or Corona 

Spread the coarse sea salt into an even layer on a saucer or other small plate. Wet the rim of a tall glass with the rind of the lime you just squeezed and dip the glass into the salt, coating the rim thoroughly. 

Fill the glass two-thirds full with ice and pour the lime juice into the bottom of the glass. Then, carefully pour in the beer, taking care to minimize foam. You won’t be able to get all of the beer into the glass at once, and that’s okay! Top off your drink with fresh beer as you drink it until it’s all gone and you’re ready for your next one.

More Summertime Sips