The El Berraco michelada counts as a dish. It has vegetables.

Around Tucson, the michelada usually consists of a Clamato base with (lots of) lime juice, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, or Maggi Jugo served on ice in a Tajín-rimmed glass.

El Berraco doesn’t fuss around with any fancy exotic ingredients. Their michelada garnishes include cool cucumber and a mouth-puckering saladito. It’s essentially the same recipe as the beloved michelada from sister restaurant BK Tacos, but features the bottle of beer upside in the cocktail. It may look gimmicky, but it serves well for gradually refilling the cup without diluting it too quickly.

The blend of savory, sour, spicy, and salty with just a touch of sweet creates a drink that is salivating to just think about. The umami notes pair well with seafood dishes, while the acidity and bubbles make it pair well with chips and salsa or tostadas.

For more information on El Berraco, read El Berraco: Desert Submarine with Torpedoes of Flavor.

El Berraco is located at 2960 N. 1st Ave. For more information, call (520) 620-9828 or visit el-berraco.com.