Apparently More People Are Drinking "Beer Margaritas"

According to a new report by the hospitality consultancy CGA by NIQ, bar patrons are getting increasingly fond of beer Margaritas. If that seems unusual, it’s maybe because you haven’t heard of a “beer Margarita.” But maybe you have heard of a beer-ita (same thing), which varies by recipe but usually involves beer, limeade concentrate, tequila and ice. Or even a CoronaRita, in which a Corona is overturned in a Margarita.

“More than two in five beer and/or cocktails consumers have opted for a beer Margarita in the past three months,” says Matthew Crompton, CGA by NIQ regional director – Americas, in the new study. “Consumer trends, like cocktail-inspired serves, encourage trial and experimentation of new categories and act as a gateway to expand [sic] brand offering. In the upcoming months, the cocktail-inspired serve will continue to experience engagement from beer and/or cocktail drinkers with almost four in five expecting to try the beer Margarita or chelada, and more than three in five expecting to try a shandy, Michelada, radler, or beermosa.”

How to Not Screw Up Your Beer Cocktails This Summer

They’re perfect for warm weather — provided you know a few simple ground rules

Quick explainers here:

Chelada: beer, lime juice, salt
Shandy: beer and lemon-lime soda
Michelada: beer, lime juice, salt, tomato juice and/or Clamato (Happy Michelada Day, btw)
Radler: beer, fruit-flavored soda
Beermosa: beer, orange juice

So, what’s going on with this beer Margarita craze? Well, beer is versatile, and beer cocktails have a surprisingly long history — there’s even a whole book on the concept written by InsideHook contributor Jacob Grier. And served properly, they’re refreshing, particularly in the summer, because they tend to be lighter and fruitier than straight-forward beer and much lower in ABV than liquor-based cocktails.

The key is picking the right beer — stouts are not your friend here (aka keep it light). And while we’d rather have a real Margarita with fresh lime juice, we’re all for experimenting with new flavors and keeping our summer drinking sessionable.

Meet your guide

Kirk Miller

Kirk Miller is InsideHook’s Senior Lifestyle Editor (and longest-serving resident). He writes a lot about whisk(e)y, cocktails, consumer goods and artificial intelligence.