What’s The Difference Between A Bloody Mary & A Michelada?
Have you ever wondered what the difference between two popular and savory drinks – the bloody mary and the michelada? Delve into the flavors, ingredients, and cultural influences that make each concoction unique. Although there is tomato in both, there are a few distinct differences between a bloody mary and a michelada.
Are you team Bloody Mary or team Michelada? Leave a comment below and let me know!
We all know my long history with tomato juice as a kid which turned into bloody marys when I turned 21. However, being from the east coast, I had never heard of or even known what a michelada was until I moved to California back in 2015. Which sounds so crazy to me now because I am OBSESSED with micheladas!
There’s nothing more satisfying than a hot summer day at a baseball game, sipping on an ice cold, fizzy michelada. PREACHHH! But don’t worry, bloody marys will always be first in my heart.
I get a lot of questions about what different kinds of bloody marys there are and how to make variations of the cocktail so I thought I’d explain what the difference is between a traditional bloody mary and a michelada is.
If you’ve ever wondered what the difference between a bloody mary and a bloody caesar is then check out this guide HERE!
How about a a bloody maria? Here’s my guide to what’s the difference between a bloody mary and a bloody maria! Check out the guide HERE!
Liquor
Bloody Mary
When it comes to the differences between a bloody mary and michelada the spirit in the cocktail is the most glaring and obvious difference. A traditional bloody mary is made with vodka. The vodka hides behind all of the robust flavors of the bloody mary and is definitely not the star of the cocktail.
Michelada
A michelada does not actually have a spirit in the cocktail. A michelada is made up of mostly beer. You’ll want to use a light beer like Pacifico or Modelo but I’ve also had a tasty variation at Petco Park. Made with Golden Roads’ Mango Cart beer for a fruity and savory suprise.
If you didn’t know, tropical fruits like mango and pineapple actually go really well with savory tomatoes. Check out my Pineapple & Bacon Infused Vodka Recipe.
Grab my Yellow Heirloom Bloody Mary Recipe pictured above HERE.
Tomato Juice
Bloody Mary
A traditional bloody mary is made with a base of tomato juice. You can make the juice from scratch, buy tomato juice from the store, or use a bottled bloody mary mix as the base of your bloody mary.
Michelada
In most cases, a michelada is made with Clamato which is a tomato juice that has different components such as sugar, clam broth, and spices. Don’t knock it until you try it!
You can also use regular tomato juice or a store bought bloody mary mix. There are many purveyors who brand their mix as michelada mix in addition to bloody mary mix.
Proportions
Another major difference is the proportion of the tomato mixture. While a bloody mary typically has a 3:1 ratio of bloody mary mix to vodka, a michelada has the opposite. A michelada has a 3:1 ratio of beer to tomato mixture whether that’s tomato juice, bloody mary mix, or Clamato. That means a michelada has far less tomato than a bloody mary.
Flavor
Bloody Mary
Bloody marys can be bold or subtle but one thing for sure is that they are robust and complex. Traditional ingredients of a bloody mary are tomato juice, salt, pepper, lemon juice, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce.
The savory tomato combined with umami of Worcestershire sauce creates a rich cocktail. The horseradish adds a tantalizing punch that quite literally awakens your senses (why it’s great for hangovers) and the hot sauce gives you that extra pep in your step and melds perfectly into the drink.
Lemon juice brings this typically heavier cocktail a bright and refreshing component while the salt and pepper enhances the flavors of the ingredients for a perfect savory and bold morning libation.
There are really endless possibilities when it comes to a bloody mary beyond the classic ingredients. I love a briney bloody mary spiked with pickle or olive juice, Lovejoy’s Bloody Mary Mix contains ingredients like strawberry and lemongrass for a zany and bold mix, or switch up the vodka for gin or mezcal to really enhance your bloody mary flavor journey.
Ever wondered how to make a beet bloody mary? Check out my recipe HERE!
Michelada
A michelada typically is made from Clamato, light beer, and fresh lime juice. 3 simple ingredients that pack a great deal of flavor. Oh, and you can’t forget about the salty and sour Tajin rim. No michelada would be complete without it.
The sweetness of the Clamato juice brings a sweet and savory component to a michelada. The lime juice adds a tangy and brightness to the michelada. The main component, the light beer is fizzy, bubbly, and effervescent, making it the perfect drink to enjoy on a hot summer day. In my opinion, the best part about a michelada is if you love bloody marys but you want something lighter, not so heavy, and refreshing!
As I mentioned earlier you can switch up the beer for something like Mango Cart beer for a tropical twist, use regular bloody mary mix for a more savory and umami michelada, or switch up the tajin rim for candy flavored chamoy rim, for those who love a sweet treat!
Food Pairings
Bloody Mary
Bloody marys typically pair with anything for breakfast or brunch. Choose a thinner and lighter bloody mary to pair with heavy meals like french toast and go for a more hearty and savory bloody to accompany avocado toast or an omelet. A bloody, if outrageously garnished could be considered a meal in itself.
A citrus-forward, horseradish, hair of the dog bloody mary accompanies seafood like crab, oysters, and lobster so well. Can anyone say seafood tower?? Use a beef broth spiked bloody mary to accompany cheeses, bacon, red meat or umami veggies like tomatoes and mushrooms.
Host an elegant baby or bridal shower with a cucumber infused bloody mary for a light and elevated bloody mary that goes great with charcuterie boards or tea sandwiches.
Check out my Umami Mary Recipe HERE
Check out my Cucumber & Gin Bloody Mary Recipe HERE
Check out my Guide to Hosting A Baby Shower Brunch HERE
Michelada
Originating from central Mexico, the michelada brings a unique blend of flavors that go exceptionally well with a variety of Mexican dishes. Its crisp and tangy profile, complemented by ingredients like beer, lime, hot sauce, and spices, makes it a versatile companion for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Pair a michelada with traditional Mexican street foods like chips and salsa, fish tacos, elote, ceviche, or a breakfast staple, Chilaquiles. The refreshing qualities of the Michelada act as a palate cleanser, enhancing the savory and zesty notes in these dishes.
Venturing beyond the traditional, the michelada opens up exciting opportunities for more eclectic pairings. The savory and slightly spicy notes in the cocktail can elevate the experience of enjoying grilled meats, seafood, or even spicy snacks. Imagine sipping on a well-crafted michelada while indulging in a plate of spicy buffalo wings, and you'll discover how the effervescence and flavor profile of the cocktail complement and enhance the boldness of the dish. Or uplevel your game day hot dogs and sausage, peppers and onions with a crisp michelada to wash it all down!
History
Bloody Mary
The consensus points to Fernand Petiot as the mastermind behind the creation of the contemporary Bloody Mary in 1934, a defining moment that unfolded at the King Cole Room, situated within the St. Regis Hotel in New York City. Legend has it that this iconic cocktail initially emerged to alleviate the colossal hangovers of none other than Hemingway and his eclectic circle after their nocturnal "enlightened" escapades.
Michelada
The michelada traces its origins to central Mexico. Contrary to popular misconceptions, the drink did not emerge as a mere variation of the bloody mary but has its own distinct cultural roots.
I traveled to Tijuana a few years ago with a friend who was born and raised there and she let me know a true michelada was simply beer, lime juice, and hot sauce. If you’re off the beaten path in Mexico, which we were, you need to specify you want it made how we typically enjoy it in the U.S., with Clamato or tomato juice added.
Rooted in a Mexican tradition of customizing beer to suit personal preferences, the michelada has evolved into a beloved beverage with various regional adaptations. Some accounts attribute its creation to a bartender in Mexico City who concocted the first michelada in response to a patron's request for a beer mixed with hot sauce and lime.
Over time, this crisp and flavorful drink has become a staple, enjoyed not only in its place of origin but also embraced internationally. As the michelada continues to gain popularity, its diverse and fascinating history adds an extra layer of zest to this classic beer cocktail.
Brunchfaced Community sound off - Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
Looking for some other great food and drink recipes and ideas? Check out some other delicious recipes or guides below!
