A michelada. Photo: Winemeup, Flickr.

Alabama-born LeNell Smothers defines herself first and foremost as a bartender, but she's been called many things -- most recently, the proprietress of LeNell's liquor store. She's owned her own whiskey label called Red Hook Rye and been recognized by her home state as an honorary Colonel. Other interests include gin, sin and men.

I love cocktails. I love my wine. However, sometimes nothing hits the spot like a cold beer when the sun's blistering down. If you are still in the mood for a cocktail but craving that beer, try a michelada.

As with many mixed drinks, you may get a different flavor depending on your location and bartender. A michelada may have some sort of tomato juice or it may not. Like a martini, always specify how you like your drink.

In Baja if you ask for a michelada, you'll typically get a cocktail with beer, salt, and fresh Key lime juice. On the mainland you can order a Clamato (which has clam broth) or some type of tomato juice spiked with various sauces. It's similar to a Bloody Mary, with beer instead of vodka. (Even if the cocktail does not contain the brand-name Clamato mix, the drink is still often referred to as "a Clamato.") I prefer a Clamato as a brunch drink rather than an afternoon refresher.

Two recipes for a michelada and a michelada Clamato, after the jump!

Michelada
Beer, preferably Mexican. I love it with Negra Modelo.
2-3 Key limes
Sea salt

Rub rim of chilled glass beer mug with lime then dip glass in salt. Squeeze two or three Key limes into glass. Fill glass with ice. Pour your favorite beer over ice. Add a straw and a lime wedge for more fun.

Michelada Clamato or Clamato Preparado
Beer
3-4 key limes
Clamato juice
5 dashes Worcestershire Sauce
5 dashes Maggi Jugo Sazonador Sauce (similar to Worcestershire)
5 dashes Tabasco sauce
3 dashes black pepper
3 dashes sea salt, plus extra for rim
1 dash chili powder

Rub rim of chilled glass with lime then dip in salt. For a bit more zing, add some chili powder to the salt rim. Squeeze lime juice into glass. Fill with ice. Add Maggi or Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco, black pepper and sea salt. Stir. Fill glass 3/4 full of Clamato. Top with beer. Garnish with chili powder and whatever else floats your boat, like shrimp, tamarind pods, lime, your sweetheart.