Time Killer

The Time Killer is a no-nonsense, two-ingredient build that delivers a quick hit without much fuss. It is essentially a dressed-up shot and a beer, combining tequila with a crisp Mexican lager and a touch of salt. This is the kind of drink you throw together when the night is getting started or when you need something easy to keep the party moving. It is for those who appreciate straightforward boozy refreshment and are not looking for anything complicated.

Time Killer

4.43 from 26 votes

Calories: 156kcal

Prep Time: 3

Total Time: 5

Ingredients

▢ 1.5 oz Tequila
▢ 5 oz Mexican Beer
▢ .5 tsp Salt

Instructions

▢
Pour the tequila and beer into a highball glass almost filled with ice cubes. and stir. Sprinkle the salt on top. garnish with lemon wedge. and serve.

Estimated Nutrition:

Calories: 156kcal (8%)

Where it came from

This is a working bartender’s invention, pure and simple. There is no grand historical narrative for the Time Killer, no speakeasy legend or celebrity endorsement. It is a drink born from combining two common bar staples: tequila and beer. Given the use of Mexican beer, it is safe to assume its roots are somewhere in the US Southwest or Mexico, a natural progression from a simple beer and a shot.

The Time Killer fits squarely into the beer cocktail family, alongside drinks like the Michelada or a Shandy. Unlike the often complex Michelada with its sauces and spices, the Time Killer is stripped down. It shares the same spirit of a boilermaker or a depth charge, but instead of dropping a shot, the tequila is integrated, making it a smoother, albeit still potent, pour.

You would find a Time Killer at a casual backyard barbecue, a lively dive bar, or maybe a beachside cantina where the focus is on good times and easy drinking. It is a party starter, not a contemplative sipper. This drink is for when the sun is out, the music is loud, and nobody wants to wait around for a complicated build.

What it tastes like

The first sip of a Time Killer hits with the crisp, slightly sweet and malty notes of the Mexican lager, quickly followed by the distinct peppery and earthy character of the tequila. The salt sprinkled on top provides an immediate savory counterpoint, enhancing the beer’s effervescence and brightening the tequila’s edges. The finish is clean, refreshing, and distinctly boozy, leaving a lingering warmth from the tequila.

With 1.5 oz of 40% ABV tequila (0.6 oz pure alcohol) mixed with 5 oz of 4.5% ABV Mexican beer (0.225 oz pure alcohol), the total alcohol content is roughly 0.825 oz in about 6.5 oz of liquid. This puts the Time Killer around 12.7% ABV. That is significantly stronger than a typical beer, which averages 4-5% ABV, and approaches the strength of a standard cocktail, often around 15-20% ABV, making it a potent, fast-acting drink.

The technique

Building a Time Killer is as straightforward as it gets. Start with a highball glass and fill it generously with ice. Pour in the tequila first, then top with the Mexican beer. A gentle stir brings the two components together. Finish with a quick sprinkle of salt and a lemon wedge for garnish. This is a fast pour, designed for speed and minimal fuss.

The single most important technique here is controlling the salt. Do not just dump it in. A light, even sprinkle across the top ensures each sip gets that bright, savory pop without overwhelming the drink. Too much salt makes it undrinkable, and stirring it in too early dilutes its impact. The idea is a subtle accent, not a brine.

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Ingredient Spotlight

The bottles that make or break this drink.

Tequila

Use: A clean, crisp blanco tequila is the best choice here. Brands like Espolon, Olmeca Altos, or even a solid house pour will do the trick. You want something with a clear agave profile without too much barrel influence.
Skip: Aged tequilas, like reposados or añejos, tend to clash with the light, refreshing profile of the beer. Their caramel and oak notes get lost or muddy the clean finish. Save those for sipping or different cocktails.
Why: Tequila is the boozy backbone and the flavor driver. Its peppery, earthy notes are what give the Time Killer its distinctive edge and differentiate it from a simple beer. Without it, you just have a beer.

Mexican Beer

Use: A light, crisp Mexican lager is non-negotiable. Think Corona Extra, Modelo Especial, Pacifico, or Tecate. The goal is a clean, refreshing, slightly malty profile that complements the tequila without overpowering it.
Skip: Darker beers, IPAs, stouts, or anything heavily flavored will fight with the tequila and create a muddy, unpleasant drink. Craft beers with strong hop profiles are also a bad match; they just do not work here.
Why: The beer provides the volume, the carbonation, and the refreshing character that makes this drink so approachable. Its light body and crisp finish are crucial for balancing the tequila’s potency and carrying the salt.

Three Variations

Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink. Same idea, three different jackets.

Spicy Killer

A kick of heat for the adventurous.: Introduce a couple of dashes of your favorite hot sauce, or muddle a thin slice of jalapeño in the glass before adding ice. It adds a welcome layer of complexity and warmth.

Citrus Killer

Brighten it up with a squeeze of fresh citrus.: Add a quarter ounce of fresh lime or grapefruit juice to the mix. The acidity cuts through the richness and makes the drink even more refreshing, especially on a hot day.

Michelada Lite

A stripped-down, less fussy Michelada.: While not a true Michelada, adding a dash of Worcestershire sauce and some black pepper to the salt creates a savory, umami-rich version that hints at its more complex cousin.

What if I don't have…

Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.

No Tequila?

Try a light rum for a different but still potent spirit base. The flavor profile will shift from agave to sugarcane, but it will still be a strong beer cocktail.

No Mexican Beer?

Any light, crisp lager will work as a substitute, but avoid anything too hoppy or dark. American light lagers like Bud Light or Miller Lite can get the job done in a pinch.

No Salt?

The drink will be less bright and a bit flatter without it, but it is not essential for the core experience. You could try a dash of celery salt for a twist if you have it.

No Lemon Wedge?

An orange slice or even a lime wedge works just fine. The garnish is mostly for presentation and a slight aromatic lift.

No Highball Glass?

Any tall, straight-sided glass will do. A pint glass is a perfectly acceptable stand-in, especially if you are pouring for a crowd.

Frequently Asked Questions

Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.

What is in a Time Killer?

A Time Killer contains tequila, Mexican beer, and a sprinkle of salt, often garnished with a lemon wedge.

How strong is a Time Killer?

A Time Killer is moderately strong, typically around 12-13% ABV. It is significantly more potent than a standard beer but slightly less than many traditional cocktails.

What does a Time Killer taste like?

It tastes like a crisp, slightly malty beer with a noticeable tequila kick, brightened by a savory touch of salt. It is refreshing and boozy.

Is the Time Killer a type of Michelada?

Not really. While it shares beer as a base and often salt, the Time Killer lacks the complex sauces, spices, and citrus usually found in a traditional Michelada. It is far simpler.

What kind of tequila should I use for a Time Killer?

Stick with a blanco or silver tequila. Its clean, unaged agave flavors pair best with the light profile of the Mexican beer.

Why is salt sprinkled on top of the Time Killer?

The salt enhances the beer’s effervescence and brightens the tequila’s flavor profile, adding a savory counterpoint that makes the drink more refreshing and complex.

Can I use any beer for a Time Killer?

A light, crisp Mexican lager is ideal. Avoid dark beers, IPAs, or anything with strong, complex flavors that would clash with the tequila.

Is the Time Killer served hot or cold?

The Time Killer is always served cold, over plenty of ice, to ensure maximum refreshment.

From the Drink Lab catalogue

Drink Lab has been collecting cocktail recipes since 2013. Some we wrote ourselves, plenty came in from readers, and the rest got passed across a bar somewhere along the way.

Last updated May 8, 2026 · 1 min read