Summer weather has arrived in Chicago with sweltering temperatures and high humidity (for May, at least). The later parts of this week will mercifully drop back down to the 70's. Here's to hoping my office will be able to figure out a method of cooling the building that doesn't make the power go out ten times a day before the next heat wave.
These are the nights when I love to sit on our porch, watching the neighborhood come alive, hoping for a breeze. A cool drink doesn't hurt either. Here is a recipe for one of my favorites. After an inconclusive internet search, I've decided to call this simple concoction Porch Beer. I've seen this drink labeled a Chelada, but in my experience that name most often refers to a beer and clam juice cocktail. I certainly wouldn't want to confuse the two. Please let me know in the comments if you happen to know a more appropriate name.
Porch Beer
Ingredients
12 oz. lager beer (I use Tecate)
1 lime
Kosher flake salt
4 large ice cubes
Method
Cut the lime into quarters and run one of the wedges around the rim of a 20 oz pint glass. Pour a tablespoon of salt into a flat dish and coat the glass rim. Add four large ice cubes to the glass, squeeze in the lime juice, and add the lime quarters. Top with beer.
show hide 22 comments
Suzanne - Sounds refreshing,can’t wait to try this!
Suzanne - Sounds refreshing,can’t wait to try this!
Tim - Sounds DELISH! We’re going to try this (with Tecate, of course!) for our next “porch date.”
Tim - Sounds DELISH! We’re going to try this (with Tecate, of course!) for our next “porch date.”
dana - i could go for one right now. but it’s 9 am. sigh.
dana - i could go for one right now. but it’s 9 am. sigh.
kickpleat - This sounds perfect and it’s not even that warm out here yet. Nor is it even close to noon.
kickpleat - This sounds perfect and it’s not even that warm out here yet. Nor is it even close to noon.
and flowers pick themselves - it’s dreadfully humid in northeast ohio, too. this drink sounds like heaven.
xo Alison
and flowers pick themselves - it’s dreadfully humid in northeast ohio, too. this drink sounds like heaven.
xo Alison
keeanga - Its actually called a michelada…its from Mexico. While some micheladas can come with clam juice, its really just beer mixed with lime juice and salt.
keeanga - Its actually called a michelada…its from Mexico. While some micheladas can come with clam juice, its really just beer mixed with lime juice and salt.
My Communal Table - Oh, I used to do this and forgot all about it and I never gave is such a great name. Very Chicago! I am going to sit out on my back porch of my traditional Chicago three flat and have one tonight. Thanks
My Communal Table - Oh, I used to do this and forgot all about it and I never gave is such a great name. Very Chicago! I am going to sit out on my back porch of my traditional Chicago three flat and have one tonight. Thanks
gemma - Ha! Well, the jury is still out a name. I’ve had multiple emails/tweets insisting that this drink is both a michelada and a chelada. I am sticking with “Porch Beer” for now.
Thanks everyone! I hope you have had time to enjoy a tall glass as the country heats up for the summer.
Tim, so glad to hear others have porch dates! I really love watching our neighborhood.
My Communal Table, thanks! You’re right, there is something very Chicago about that name.
gemma - Ha! Well, the jury is still out a name. I’ve had multiple emails/tweets insisting that this drink is both a michelada and a chelada. I am sticking with “Porch Beer” for now.
Thanks everyone! I hope you have had time to enjoy a tall glass as the country heats up for the summer.
Tim, so glad to hear others have porch dates! I really love watching our neighborhood.
My Communal Table, thanks! You’re right, there is something very Chicago about that name.
ANdrea - I love this photo! IT makes me super thirsty.
ANdrea - I love this photo! IT makes me super thirsty.
KImproved - Looks awesome, I can’t wait to give it a try!
KImproved - Looks awesome, I can’t wait to give it a try!
Gemma - Thanks Andrea and KImproved!
Gemma - Thanks Andrea and KImproved!