mexican mule (tequila ginger beer cocktail)

This Mexican mule cocktail is extra gingery and crisp, with fresh lime and the distinct agave complexity that comes from good tequila.

It's light, clean and super refreshing-- the perfect cocktail for a hot summer day.

It's also made in the glass, which is one of my favorite types of cocktails. No fussy shakers or strainers. Convenient, yes, but it also means all of that rich, gingery flavor stays in the drink.

what is in a Mexican mule?

• Blanco tequila
• Fresh ginger
• Fresh squeezed lime juice
• Simple syrup
• Ginger beer
• Crushed ice

how to make a mexican mule cocktail:

To make the most delicious Mexican mule, we start by substituting blanco tequila in a classic Moscow Mule cocktail.

hen, muddle a big chunk of fresh ginger in the glass for maximum flavor. Use the best ginger beer you can find, and you’ll get a tequila mule brimming with notes of warm ginger, earthy tequila, and a bubbly lime spritz.

Don't forget the giant mint bouquet garnish-- it adds so much fragrance to the drink and it looks stunning.

mexican mule proportions

We have found the most balanced Mexican mule proportions to be the following: ¼ part simple syrup, ¾ part lime juice, 2 parts tequila and 4 parts ginger beer.

As always, make the tequila mule recipe as follows and then tweak the cocktail to your liking, if necessary. A little extra lime, simple syrup, or ginger beer can work wonders on balancing the cocktail to your own tastes.

what's the best tequila to use in this mexican mule cocktail?

I prefer to use a good quality (premium) blanco tequila in this mule recipe. There's no reason to go top shelf with a cocktail-- all of the delicate flavors and nuances will be drowned out by the lime and ginger.

But we do want to use a tequila that tastes good on its own. The harsh textures and off flavors from low quality spirits will come out in a cocktail, especially one with a simple profile like this tequila mule.

A premium blanco tequila will have a smooth texture and notes of citrus zest, pepper and the distinct herbaceous flavor of agave.

Don Julio Blanco and El Tesoro Blanco are easy to find and won't disappoint, while tequilas like 123 Organics Blanco and Emerald Spear are a great way to branch out with something new (though they are a bit pricier).

tequila ginger beer variations

I love the simple, classic flavors of fresh squeezed lime, ginger and tequila. But sometimes it's fun to muddle in a few more flavors. Here are some ways you can add your own spin to this Mexican mule cocktaail:

• Muddle a jalapeño along with the ginger
• Muddle some cucumber slices with the ginger
• Add fresh mint, basil or thyme
• Replace the simple syrup with your favorite juice (such as cranberry, peach, apricot, grapefruit)
• Make a special simple syrup (peppercorn, hibiscus, brown sugar)
• Infuse the tequila (rosemary, pineapple, dried chile peppers)

garnish ideas for a mexican mule:

• Lime twist— short or long
• Lime wheel
• Fresh mint— sprig or bouquet
• Candied ginger— a piece on the rim, or several on a pick
• Fresh ginger slice

more tequila cocktail recipes to try:

blackberry tequila spritzer with red wine float

spicy cilantro jalapeño margarita

hibiscus margarita

cantarito

pineapple margarita

mango margarita

blood orange margarita

spiced tamarind margarita

mezcal sour with strawberries and ginger

spicy margarita

tequila sour

ranch water

strawberry margarita

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