The 14 Best Mule Cocktails to Make at Home
October 28, 2022 by Helena Lombard
The Moscow Mule has been around since the 1940s, and it’s a classic combination that’s opened up the door to loads of exciting variations and twists. We’ve searched far and wide and have done all the donkey work to find the best mule cocktails you can easily make at home. You’re welcome!
If you didn’t know any of these 14 mule cocktails even existed, you’re in for quite a ride. And if you want to know how to spot a mule, it’s pretty simple. If it contains a base spirit and is mixed with ginger beer, chances are it’s a mule cocktail. And while we’re giving you some nifty life lessons, here’s another: You don’t need fancy copper mugs to make mules! While they look great and keep drinks cooler for longer, good old highball glasses will work just fine.
Consider yourself schooled!
1. Moscow Mule
This mule is the original that started the whole craze. Made with a classic combination of vodka, fresh lime and ginger beer and served in a copper mug, the Moscow Mule is great if you want to cool down. This iconic vodka drink is one of the world’s most popular cocktails – and has been for 8 decades.
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2. Kentucky Mule
Bourbon steals the show in this Kentucky Mule cocktail and is the perfect companion for fresh lime juice and spicy ginger. That being said, bourbon can be on the overpowering side, so get a strong ginger beer mixer to level out the playing field. The result is a refreshing bourbon mule cocktail perfect for sunset sipping in your garden.
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3. Mezcal Mule
In case you’ve missed it, mezcal is really popular at the moment, so it makes sense that there are mezcal versions of the classic Moscow Mule. This cocktail can be as complex or simple as you would like. The simplest version of this mule cocktail recipe would be to mix your favourite mezcal with ginger beer and lime juice. For a bigger taste extravaganza, you can add passionfruit puree and agave nectar to the mix, rim the edge of the glass with chilli and garnish it with candied ginger. So delicious!
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4. Minted Mule
The Minted Mule might be your answer if you’re looking for a trendy cocktail to impress your friends. Made with mezcal, silver tequila, ginger beer, fresh lime and mint, this is an excellent alternative to the usual Margarita business if spicy food is on your dinner menu. The use of mezcal gives this Mexican mule cocktail its unique and smoky twist. Combine that with fresh citrus and ginger, and you’ve got one of the best drinks you’ll ever try. And trust us, you want to try it!
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5. Apple Cider Mule
If autumn flavours are more your vibe, then this Apple Cider Mule will not disappoint! Make this holiday mule cocktail your signature welcome drink this season. It’s super simple to make, leaving you with more time to worry about getting the roast just right. To make this mule, combine equal parts vodka and apple cider with fresh lime juice and ice in a copper mug. Top with ginger beer and garnish with apple slices and mint.
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6. Mistletoe Mule
Speaking of Christmas mule cocktails, the Mistletoe Mule is another showstopper that will be love at first taste. This is a fuss-free recipe and is basically a Moscow Mule dressed up in a Christmas suit. The bright Christmas colours of pomegranate seeds, cranberries and rosemary steal the show and exude that ultimate festive feeling.
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7. Gin Buck (Gin Gin Mule)
No. We’re not stuttering. It’s actually called a Gin Gin Mule and its one of our favourite mule cocktail variations. Made with gin and ginger beer (hence the name) the recipe was created to tempt vodka drinkers to switch to craft gin cocktails. And boy, did it work! For this version you’ll be muddling your mint straight in the glass for extra freshness. Experts claim that homemade ginger beer is crucial to a good Gin Buck, but we say throw caution to the wind and use store-bought if you can’t be fussed. It’ll be as refreshing as the real McCoy.
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8. Morning Mule
Give your brunch time a makeover with a Morning Mule cocktail. Made with vodka, equal parts freshly squeezed orange juice and ginger beer it’s the perfect drink to enjoy with a long and lazy brunch. We suggest you create a batch of Morning Mules and serve them in a jug-fulls on the table, so that everyone can top themselves up.
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9. Dark ‘n Stormy
Do you know what happened more than 100 years ago? The Dark ‘n Stormy cocktail, that’s what! And yes, the recipe might be ancient, but don’t be too quick to judge. If you’re a rum fan, you’ll love the refreshing combination of Jamaican rum, ginger beer, bitters and fresh lime. This delicious thirst-quencher is the perfect summer holiday mule cocktail, best enjoyed with good friends.
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10. Irish Mule
You don’t need the luck of the Irish to pull this one off. What you do need, however, is a decent bottle of whiskey and a steady hand. The rest of the ingredients are the same as before, with ginger beer and fresh lime making another appearance. This is a great cocktail for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations if you’re looking for something a little different.
11. Glasgow Mule
Scotch whisky and elderflower liqueur are the base spirits in this delicious twist on the Moscow Mule. Taste wise, the Glasgow Mule is an interesting one, with the smoky malt flavour of the Scotch balanced out by the spicy ginger beer sweet elderflower liqueur.
12. Bohemian Mule
Like all mule cocktail variations, this one is tall and refreshing, but should come with a word of warning. The hero ingredient is absinthe, so proceed with caution! To make a Bohemian Mule you’ll shake absinthe, lime juice and simple syrup with ice in a cocktail shaker until chilled. Then you’ll strain it into an ice filled Collins glass and top it with ginger beer. Easy, a little dangerous and very tasty.
13. Watermelon Mule
This cocktail has got to be the epitome of Summer. It’s a thirst-quenching drink made with a combination of fresh sweet watermelon juice, lime juice and vodka. Serve these mule cocktails in pitchers during garden parties and picnics or as summer sunset drinks with your best friends. Refreshing, light and totally moreish, these pink drinks will steal the show.
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14. French Mule
Cognac lovers will really enjoy the French Mule. Vodka gets replaced with cognac and the addition of bitters results in a tall drink that’s both robust and sophisticated.
