The formula
Spirit + fresh lime + spicy ginger beer, built over ice — served cold, ideally in a copper mug.
Every mule is the same easy three-part build — spirit, fresh lime, spicy ginger beer over ice — and the copper mug that keeps it frosty. Change the spirit and the whole personality changes with it: vodka is clean and neutral, bourbon adds vanilla warmth, tequila brings agave earthiness, dark rum turns it tropical. The "mule" is always the kick of real ginger beer, so reach for a fiery brand (or make your own) rather than mild ginger ale.
Start with the original, then work outward.
21+ Los Angeles, California (1940s) · American
Vodka, fresh lime and spicy ginger beer over ice in a frosty copper mug. Three ingredients, endlessly refreshing — the highball that launched a thousand brunches, built in the glass in under two minutes.
21+ Kentucky (American bourbon country) · American
The Moscow Mule goes to bourbon country: rich Kentucky bourbon in place of vodka, fresh lime and spicy ginger beer over ice in a copper mug. Vanilla-and-oak warmth against fiery ginger — built in the glass in two minutes.
21+ Mexico (agave country) by way of the American mule craze · Mexican
The mule with an agave heart: blanco tequila in place of vodka, fresh lime and spicy ginger beer over ice. Earthy, bright and a little wild — a two-minute copper-mug cooler that drinks like a spicy paloma's cousin.
21+ Ireland by way of the American mule craze · Irish
The mule in a green sweater: smooth Irish whiskey in place of vodka, fresh lime and spicy ginger beer over ice. Light, honeyed and gently spiced — a two-minute copper-mug cooler with an easy Irish charm.
21+ London (home of London dry gin) by way of the American mule · British
The mule goes botanical: London dry gin in place of vodka, fresh lime and spicy ginger beer over ice. Juniper and citrus against fizzy ginger heat — a crisp, aromatic two-minute cooler, also known as the Gin-Gin Mule.
21+ Jamaica by way of the American mule craze · Caribbean
The mule sails to the Caribbean: rich dark rum in place of vodka, fresh lime and spicy ginger beer over ice. Molasses, spice and funk against fizzy ginger heat — the tropical cousin of the Dark 'n' Stormy, built in two minutes.
21+ Scotland by way of the American mule craze · Scottish
The mule with a Highland accent: blended Scotch in place of vodka, fresh lime and spicy ginger beer over ice. Malt, honey and a whisper of smoke against fizzy ginger heat — a two-minute copper-mug cooler, sometimes called a Scotland Mule.
Back to the full Drinks collection or the Drinks guide.