If you can’t stand the heat, grab a michelada! That curious elixir of Mexican beer, fresh lime and spicy tomato juice is the perfect solution for the summer doldrums.
How can something so intense and so savory be this refreshing? It’s quite a mystery, but I do know one thing: The monsoon rains are twice as nice when you watch them from a plush booth at BK Carne Asada and Hot Dogs, staring out the window and sipping one of these bad boys. (I probably did this a little too often last summer, but I blame the swamp cooler at my house.)
But it helps that BK has the best michelada I have ever tasted. In the corner by the salsa bar, the bartender takes a giant goblet and fills it with Clamato, lime and a “secret sauce” made up of various condiments. The bartender also throws in some of those crazy dried plum Saladitos for a salty kick, and crisp little cuts of fresh celery. The glass is rimmed with spicy Tajín powder; gosh that stuff is addicting.
When the goblet comes to your table, the flaming red liquid looks like it’s gonna destroy you from the inside out. But don’t worry, just pour some Dos Equis in there and the drink gets nice and fizzy. It goes down so easy: A little spice, a little tang from the lime and a touch of sweetness to offset the bitterness. There’s not enough room for all the beer at one time, so you’ve gotta keep pouring little by little as you go. Each sip tastes a bit different. Each is wonderful.
If by now you’re hooked, make sure to save the date Aug. 15 for the Michelada Challenge at Tucson Convention Center. More than 30 restaurants from across town will duke it out for the title of Tucson’s best. A $22 ticket lets you taste the lot.
But yeah, you might want to pack some Tums for that one!
