Today we feature a simple Bloody Mary for a warm climate. It’s a very simple change to a standard Bloody Mary but results in a lighter and easier drink for a warm and/or humid climate. And, dare I say it, this drink is easier to chug down than the standard Bloody Mary if you are looking to make a night of it.
Before we reveal the secret of the simple Bloody Mary for a warm climate, it would be remiss of us not to comment on what you can expect in Guatemala in the way of alcoholic beverages. Our trip through Guatemala came about because of a family reunion in Antigua. Look for our upcoming post on how to plan a family reunion.
The reunion took place over Christmas and New Year in both Guatemala City and Antigua, with side trips to Chichicastenango and Lake Atitlan. As a result, we enjoyed family dinners at relatives’ houses and at Mil Flores Hotel, our beautiful accommodation in magnificent Antigua, as well as a host of bars and restaurants throughout Antigua.
Having enjoyed a fun time over such a festive period, we feel we are well qualified to comment on imbibing in Guatemala!
What’s Your Drink in Guatemala?
Various family members arrived from Australia, the United States as well as from the Guatemala chapter of the family. There were family members present from 3 generations, including some younger ones (ably assisted by a few of the older generation) who were quite keen to explore the bar and drink scene in Antigua.
Without doubt, the most popular drink in Guatemala is any beer produced by Gallo. Locally owned and produced, they dominate the market in Guatemala. Light in taste, it is great beer for the warm and tropical, Guatemalan climate. It is reasonably priced and is the drink of the “common man” in Guatemala. Beer from overseas breweries are naturally more expensive in Guatemala, with the usual range from the big brewers.
As you would expect, wine is not really produced in Guatemala and is all imported. Buying wine from a liquor outlet is quite reasonable, and in fact South American wine from Chile and Argentina was downright cheap. However, buying the same wine at a restaurant, there was quite a pronounced mark-up, but no more expensive than a restaurant in the US (and in many cases cheaper).
Buying spirits from liquor outlets and supermarkets in Guatemala is also very reasonable. The cost of cocktails in a bar, on average, were slightly more expensive than in the US. This is a rather sweeping statement, however, as the cost of the same drink in New York City is a lot more expensive than say, Cincinnati. Cocktails in Guatemala are generally hand-made and of good quality.
And on cocktails and spirits, Guatemala is home to the famous, Zacapa Rum, often vying for world’s best rums in various shows around the world.
There is one last drink we need to talk about and that is the michelada. Found throughout Central America, it is indeed the perfect, simple Bloody Mary for a warm climate. Yes, if you haven’t guessed by now, you replace the vodka in a standard Bloody Mary with a beer.
The photo below was the Fuego Volcano in Antigua, doing its thing while we enjoyed our first ever michelada at Cafe Sky in Antigua. Something I will never forget.
At Last a Simple Bloody Mary for a Warm Climate
Who needs a beer chaser with a Bloody Mary, when you can enjoy a michelada? To enjoy your drink, you need about 2/3 of a large glass of Bloody Mary mix, topped up with your favorite beer. As you drink your michelada, keep topping up it up with the beer.
It is a much lighter taste than a standard Bloody Mary, making them go down very well in a warm and humid climate.
You need to choose a beer which is light in taste, such as a lager.
We hope you enjoy this drink. Read on for the recipe.
Servings | Prep Time |
1drink | 3minutes |
Servings | Prep Time |
1drink | 3minutes |
- 1/4 tsp salt or to taste
- 1/4 tsp black pepper, ground or to taste
- 1/4 tsp celery salt or to taste
- 1 lime cut into wedges
- ice cubes
- 4 fl ozs tomato juice or V8 vegetable juice
- 1 dash tabasco sauce optional
- 1 dash worcestershire sauce optional
- 1 bottle beer lager or light tasting
Ingredients
Servings: drink
Units:
|
- On a small plate, mix together well the salt, pepper and celery salt. Use 1 of the lime wedges to wet the rim of the glass. Then dip the glass in the salt mix , making sure there is a good coating on the rim.
- Squeeze any remaining lime juice into the glass, along with a pinch or 2 of the salt mix. Add the ice cubes, tomato juice, Tabasco sauce and Worcestershire sauce. Stir well. Garnish with the second lime wedge.
- Open the bottle (or can) of beer and serve next to the Bloody Mary mix. Allow each person to add their own beer.
angie
thank you for sharing such a pretty environment with so much history the drink sounds amazing as well
come see us at https://shopannies.blogspot.com
Editor
My pleasure Angie. The drink is certainly a lighter taste than the standard Bloody Mary.