A London variation on the classic Mexican drink.

As I’ve said before, I don’t always drink martinis. I also like beer and lager, to name but a few alternatives. I recently wrote about the Mexican drink Micheladas and here I’ve come up with another variation.

In its most simple terms, a Michelada contains beer/lager, the juice of a lime, a dash of Worcestershire sauce and a salt rim around the glass. Hot sauce, soy sauce and tequila are also frequently added.

I recently bought one or two Laura Santtini ingredients and thought they would make a good addition for this variation on the recipe. You will need:

• A lime
• A beer
• Salt (preferably a good quality sea salt)
• Worcestershire sauce
• Soy sauce
• Tabasco sauce

And the following enhancements:

• Taste 5 Umami paste
• Taste 5 Umami Rush condiment

I often rub the umami paste into meat, fish and vegetables before cooking them. However, if you don’t have any to hand, use tomato purée as a substitute and add a little more soy sauce.

The condiment is like a salty umami-citrus pepper. You can use normal salt instead but the condiment adds a zesty, umami buzz to the drink.

• Run a tall glass under a tap and leave it in the freezer for at least 20 minutes (but preferably several hours)
• Sprinkle salt and the Umami Rush condiment on a plate
• Remove the glass from the freezer, cut the lime and rub half of it around the rim of the glass

• Rim the glass in the salt and Umami Rush mixture to create a reddish crust
• Juice the lime and add it to a jug
• Add a dash of Worcestershire sauce and a dash of soy sauce.
• Add a few drops of Tabasco sauce (to taste)
• Add a smudge of Taste 5 Umami paste
• Add some of the beer and stir the mixture
• Pour the mixture into the rimmed glass then top up with more beer
• Add ice and stir gently before serving. Try not to get the salt rim wet during this process.
• Instead of ice I use lime segments that I store in the freezer (these are good for gin and tonics as well)

It’s perfect for a hot day. It’s also good for a… err… hangover.

Soooo… ¡Salud!