Members get FREE Delivery on metro orders $149+ (T&Cs apply*)
Beer is the not-so secret ingredient in this sweet and tangy party-perfect punch.
About the cocktail
Don’t sleep on beer cocktails. Our favourite bitter brew seems to get a little overlooked for spirits, liqueurs and wine when it comes to mixed drinks but, as this Spicy Cerveza Punch proves, beer absolutely belongs in a cocktail. In this recipe, the Mexican lager known as cerveza provides a light bitterness and plenty of fizz alongside the tropical tang of fresh pineapple juice, earthy tequila, and a bunch of punch from spicy hot sauces and smoky paprika. The result lands somewhere between pineapple soda and beer, while a good whack of spicy heat brings some depth to the mix. Besides the summery flavours, one of the best reasons to make this punch – and a big tick for beer-based bevs in general – is that it doesn’t require much in the way of cocktail know-how. As long as you’ve got all the right ingredients (check out our tips below for more on those), you can whip up a party-sized serving of Spicy Cerveza Punch in no time. You can also tweak it to be as spicy – or mild – as you like, making this punch a proper crowd pleaser. Without a tonne of complicated steps in this recipe, we reckon you’re best putting thought into when to serve this refresher. The obvious answer, we think, is a Taco Tuesday get-together, but this Spicy Cerveza Punch will also work a treat at barbecues (it’s a ripper alongside anything fresh off the grill), special occasions and anytime the sun is shining and you have a thirsty crowd on your hands. Keep this recipe in your back pocket for entertaining – it’s a deadset winner.
Ingredients
120mL fresh pineapple juice 6 dashes Green Tabasco 2 dashes Tapatio Hot Sauce Large pinch smoked paprika Large pinch salt 90mL lime juice 30mL agave syrup 2 x 355mL Mexican-style lagers Glass: Jug and tall glasses Garnish: lime wheels
Method
In a large jug, add all ingredients, except the beer, and stir well until combined Half fill the jug with ice, slowly add one of the beers to avoid too much froth building, and stir well Fill with more ice and place the remaining beer into the jug by gently placing the neck of the bottle in the mix and inverting it Garnish with the lime wheels
Dan’s top tips
Cerveza just means ‘beer’ in Spanish but, really, it means we’re talking about a particular type of light-bodied Mexican lager. You know the classics like Corona and Sol, but Aussie breweries like Balter are doing their take on the cerveza these days, too. We think this style is bang-on for a punch like this, but any light lager will work. When it comes to the hot sauces, it’s ultimately your call. Our version leans on Green Tabasco (which uses ripe jalapeño chillies instead of the traditional red tabasco peppers) and Tapatio, but you can use whatever you prefer. Both sauces are pretty mild, but they’re packed with flavour and usually available in the supermarket. If not, El Yucateco and Cholula are good swaps. And if your friends are the types of people who ask for an extra spicy Bloody Mary, you probably already have a cupboard full of super hot sauces, so feel free to use those. And you know we say it all the time, but fresh is definitely the way to go for the pineapple juice. That means either juicing the fruit yourself if you have the means, or buying some from your neighbourhood juicer. Just avoid the cheap, longlife stuff if you can – fresh will make all the difference.
What’s in a Spicy Cerveza Punch?
Spicy Cerveza Punch is a mixed drink based on a Mexican lager called cerveza. The drink also includes pineapple juice, tequila, hot sauces, spices and citrus.
Where can I find Tapatio Hot Sauce?
You should be able to find Tapatio at your local supermarket but, if not, sub it out for your favourite flavoursome (and mild) hot sauce.
- What does a Spicy Cerveza Punch taste like?
We love the Spicy Cerveza Punch because it has a light, sparkling beer base, a bit of heat and plenty of juicy pineapple flavours.
