Mexican Mule

Can’t get enough tequila drinks? Here’s one of the best of them all—outside of the margarita, of course. Enter the Mexican mule! This drink is bold, it’s bubbly, and it’s ready to spice up your next gathering.

A spin on the Moscow Mule, this tequila-based version might be even better than its inspiration. The way the bite of the tequila combines with spicy ginger and zingy lime makes it impossible not to immediately take another sip. Here’s how to make this spin on the classic!

What’s in a Mexican mule?

The Mexican mule is a tequila-based spin on the Moscow mule, a classic cocktail from the 1940’s. The mule is actually part of a family of cocktails called bucks, cocktails that are made with ginger ale or ginger beer, citrus juice, and liquor. So a Moscow mule is a vodka buck, and a Mexican mule is a tequila buck!

The Moscow mule is such a classic that it made the list of International Bartender Association’s IBA official cocktails, meaning that it has an “official” definition. Swap in tequila for vodka to get the Mexican version! The ingredients in a Mexican mule are:

• Tequila
• Lime juice
• Ginger beer

How to make a Mexican mule

The Mexican mule is one of the easiest cocktails you can make! Because you want to preserve the carbonation of the ginger beer, you don’t want to use a cocktail shaker. Here’s all you have to do to make a Mexican mule (or jump right to the recipe):

1. Pour the tequila, lime juice, and ginger beer into a copper mug or serving glass of your choice.
2. Add ice cubes, and garnish with lime. It’s that easy!

Why are mules served in copper mugs?

When you order a mule at a restaurant or bar, it’s usually served in a copper mug. It is required? Not at all. Use a low ball glass, Ball jar, a standard mug: whatever strikes your fancy. It’s still considered a Mexican mule! But if you want to stay totally classic, we recommend the copper mugs. There’s actually something to it:

• Copper keeps the drink cool in a different way than glass. The copper immediately takes on the temperature of the drink and becomes ice cold to the touch. There really is something unique about taking a sip out of an ice-cold copper mug!
• Tradition! According to this source, the Moscow mule was invented as a marketing scheme in the 1940’s to sell more vodka, ginger beer, and copper mugs. People in Hollywood fell in love with it, and everyone around the country saw photos of celebs drinking mules in copper mugs. It caught on, and it’s still the traditional way to drink this cocktail.

More highball cocktails!

A mule is considered a highball cocktail: a family of mixed drinks that combine alcohol with a larger percentage of non-alcoholic mixer. It might not be served in a highball glass, but the bubbly ginger beer mixer takes this to highball status. There are lots of famous highballs like the good old gin and tonic or vodka cranberry. Here are a few more tasty ones we’d recommend:

• The Vodka Tonic is one of the easiest mixed drinks of all time! This two-ingredient cocktail is bubbly, citrusy, and refreshing.
• Ranch Water is a Texas-style tequila highball drink made with lime, tequila and Topo Chico! This bubbly cocktail is all about cooling off on hot days.
• The Whiskey Highball is tall, bubbly, and a great way to enjoy your favorite whiskey.
• For a refreshing Sea Breeze, pour vodka, cranberry, and grapefruit over lots of ice.

When to serve a Mexican mule

The Mexican mule is bold, bubbly and zingy. It’s perfect for sipping as a:

• Summer drink
• Happy hour drink
• Dinner party drink
• Late night drinks drink
• Guys or girls night drink
• Cocktail hour drink

Frequently asked questions