Picture this: It's a Friday afternoon in Mexico City. The traffic was brutal, the sun is finally setting, and you’ve just walked into your friend’s apartment. Everyone is sitting around the living room, music is playing, and the vibe is finally relaxing.
You’re thirsty. But you don't just want water. You want the universal cure for a long week.
You look at your friend and say, "¡Ya llegué! Saca las frías."
If you want to sound like a local and not a textbook, you need to know this phrase. It’s one of those essential commands that instantly signals you’re ready to switch from "work mode" to "party mode." Let’s break down exactly what it means, why we say it, and how to use it without sounding awkward.
What exactly does "Saca las frías" mean?
Let’s keep it simple. Saca las frías translates literally to "Take out the cold ones."
Saca: This is the imperative (command) form of the verb sacar, which means to take out, bring out, or extract. In this context, it’s like saying "whip out" or "bring out."
Las frías: This means "the cold ones." In Mexico, this is practically a synonym for beers. We don't always say cervezas. We focus on the most important quality a beer can have in our climate: its temperature.
So, when you put it together, you are telling someone: "Get the beers out."
It’s a call to action. It means the waiting is over, the social gathering has officially started, and it’s time to crack open a bottle. It’s casual, slightly demanding (in a friendly way), and very Mexican.
The Cultural Obsession with Temperature
You might wonder, why don't we just say "Saca las cervezas"?
Here’s the thing: In Mexico, beer culture is temperature culture. We don't do room-temperature ales or "cellar temperature" stouts when we're hanging out casually. We want our beer muerta (dead)—meaning so cold it hurts your teeth.
By referring to them as "las frías," you are emphasizing that refreshing quality. It implies that the beers have been sitting in a cooler or a fridge, waiting for this exact moment. If someone hands you a warm beer after you asked for a "fría," they have failed the assignment.
This expression is most common among friends, young people, and generally in any informal setting where the chela (beer) is the beverage of choice. It’s the kind of slang that bonds people because it implies you are close enough to demand a drink from them.
How to use it in real life
Ready to try it out? Here are a few scenarios where this phrase fits perfectly. Notice how it’s usually short and punchy.
1. The Arrival
You just arrived at a house party or a small get-together.
You: "¡Qué onda! Ya llegué. Saca las frías, que vengo con una sed peligrosa."
(What's up! I'm here. Get the beers out, I've got a dangerous thirst.)Friend: "Simón, ahí están en el refri."
(Yeah/Bet, they're there in the fridge.)
2. The Post-Game Celebration
You just finished playing a soccer match (a "cascarita") and everyone is tired and sweaty.
Player A: "Jugamos bien, ¿no?"
(We played well, right?)Player B: "Sí, pero ya hace calor. Saca las frías para celebrar."
(Yeah, but it's hot now. Get the beers out to celebrate.)
3. The Impatient Guest
You’ve been sitting talking for twenty minutes and your host hasn't offered a drink yet.
You: "Oye güey, mucho bla bla bla, mejor saca las frías."
(Hey dude, lots of talk talk talk, better get the beers out.)
Want to practice using expressions like this in real conversations? Ahorita drops you into interactive stories where you'll use them naturally — like ordering at a taquería or chatting with locals.
Variations you might hear
Mexican slang is nothing if not creative. While "Saca las frías" is a classic, you’ll hear plenty of colorful variations on the same theme.
Saca las chelas: The most direct variation. "Chela" is the universal Mexican slang for beer.
Saca las muertas: "Bring out the dead ones." This refers to beers that are so cold they are frozen or "dead" to the touch.
Saca el pisto: "Pisto" is a general term for alcohol (booze), though in the north of Mexico, it specifically means beer.
Saca las banqueteras: This refers to beers you drink while sitting on the sidewalk (la banqueta) outside a convenience store or house.
Tips for using it naturally
Before you go shouting this at every person you meet, keep these tips in mind to make sure you don't look like a tourist trying too hard.
Read the room
This is extremely casual. Do not say "Saca las frías" to your father-in-law the first time you meet him (unless he’s really cool), and definitely don't say it to a waiter in a nice restaurant. This is for your cuates (buddies), your uña y mugre friends.
It implies sharing
Usually, when you say "saca," you are implying that the beers are already there (in the host's fridge) or that you brought them and you want someone to distribute them. It’s communal. It’s about sharing the moment.
Don't be bossy
Tone is everything. If you say it with a smile and a laugh, it’s friendly banter. If you say it with a serious face, you might sound like a jerk. It’s usually best paired with "por favor" if you aren't super close, or a friendly insult if you are.
So next time the sun is beating down and you're with your friends, don't ask for a beverage. Look them in the eye and tell them to bring out the cold ones. Salud!
