michelada – THE DUDE OF FOOD

Clamato, History and Corn Syrup.

In 1935 The Clamato Corp had filed a patent in NY as the Clamato Products Co as early as January 23, 1935.
In 1938, House & Garden magazine Vol 74 printed a recipe for “Tomato-Clam Juice Cocktail” consisting of tomato juice, clam broth, salt and celery salt.
In 1940, “Lobster King” Harry Hackney was granted the Clamato trademark.

In 1957, McCormick & Company Inc. applied for and acquired the Clamato brand name for the seasoned blend of tomato and clam juice. This trademark is still valid and now owned by Keurig Dr Pepper.

San Diego Red claims it was in the Acueducto Bar, located inside the renowned Hotel Lucerna in Mexicali, where the drink was invented. According to Hotel Lucerna in 1967 a client entered the bar with an awful hangover and asked for a fix. The bartender chose to mix tomato juice with some of the broth from “abulón rojo” (red abalone).
The abalone broth was eventually changed to a more affordable product like clam juice and today many sauces are added during preparation like traditional ‘Maggi’ sauce, soy, Tabasco, horseradish, english sauce, Worchester and lemon or lime juice among others. Maybe Hotel Lucerna did help create the formation of the michelada.

Clamato Original is the main ingredient in the Authentic Clamato Michelada and a primary go-to for many michelada makers. You can mix it with your favorite lager beer or mix it with a little vodka.

While reading the label recently I noticed a huge reason for me to stop using this product. I have a huge problem with the 3rd ingredient. Sorry, but the Dude of Food is a hard no on having High Fructose Corn Syrup unnecessarily in my food. The 4th ingredient is Monosodium Glutamate, which I also try to avoid. I discovered these are a main part of what makes Clamato and decided that I’m done using it. I now make my michelada mix from scratch.

CLAMATO is a registered trademark of Mott’s LLP, used under license.
©2025 Mott’s LLP. DR PEPPER, SCHWEPPES, and 7UP are registered trademarks of Dr Pepper/Seven Up, Inc.
©2025 Dr Pepper/Seven Up, Inc. | SQUIRT is a registered trademark of A&W Concentrate Company
©2025 Dr Pepper/Seven Up, Inc.

Mexican lager beer and micheladas.

Above you see pictured a variety of a few of Mexico’s famous lager beers. Not pictured are Estrelle Jalisco, Corona Familiar, Montejo and Victoria.

It’s interesting because my German friends who visit the states choose Mexican lagers when they are here as they resemble Munich Helles beer a little bit.

Another similarity about Mexican lagers when compared to Munich Helles is the ABV content. Both share a roughly 5% count, German beer a touch over and Mexican beer a touch under. Following are the ABV levels of Mexico’s most popular lagers.

Bohemia Lt 5.3 %
Carte Blanca 4 %
Corona Extra 4.6 %
Corona Familiar 4.8%
Dos Equis Green 4.2 %
Estrelle Jalisco 4.5 %
Modelo Especial 4.5 %
Modelo Negro 5.4 %
Montejo 4.5 %
Pacifico 4.5 %
Sol 4.5 %
Tecate 3.9 %
Victoria 4 %

Now you see why folks can drink so many beers while trying to hit the pinata.

In Munich three major breweries are Augustiner, Hacker – Schorr and Lowenbrau. There are many more.

Augustiner Helles 5.2 %
Hacker-Schorr 5.5 %
Lowenbrau 5.2 %

Germans don’t put anything in their beers and have a law dating back to 1516 called Reinheitsgebot. In Mexico they make an awesome drink called a Michelada which is like a bloody Mary except with beer instead of vodka. Now the Dude of Food enjoys making micheladas.

2 great michelada mixes. Both on Instagram

Next Sunday try making some of these delicious day starters while planning what to BBQ.

If you love fish then you will certainly love adding these mixes into your favorite ceviches. I add the spicier, LA Pinche Mezcla, to mine and it is the best! Guaranteed satisfaction. It’ll make you wanna say Odele!

The Dude of Food likes Loveless Cafe Plain Ol’ Hot Sauce.

Off of Highway 100 in Nashville is a place called the Loveless Cafe. You may not be close enough to walk in but you can go to their web page and check out the stuff they make.

http://store.lovelesscafe.com/product/hot-sauce/sauce-seasoning

The Plain Ol’ Hot Sauce is one of the secret ingredients the Dude of Food adds to his homemade micheleada recipe. It adds the perfect amount of spice. Truth be told, the Dude of Food also likes Red Rooster from Louisiana hot sauce. They both go great in my micheladas and on my grits, greens, smothered chicken, gravy, stuffing and waffles.