Irish Mule

As the name would suggest, the Irish Mule is a variation of the Moscow Mule that uses Irish Whiskey instead of Vodka. And boy does this variation work! Irish Whiskey is a little bit sweeter than other Whiskeys, and this works very well up against a flavourful and often spicy Ginger Beer. A good cocktail is all about balance, and in a lot of ways, the Irish Mule can be seen as an improvement on the Moscow Mule.

That's our opinion at least! There are a lot of different kinds of Mule cocktails out there, this is just one of them. So add the Irish Mule to your menu, and maybe do a side by side comparison to see what you like the best. Whatever variation you choose, it's a cocktail you can come back to again, and again, and again.

Total Time 2

Servings 1 cocktail

Ingredients

60 mL Irish Whiskey
90 mL Ginger Beer
15 mL Lime Juice
Garnish with Lime and/or Mint

Instructions

Add Irish Whiskey and Lime Juice to a Copper Mug or Collins Glass filled with ice.
Add Ginger Beer and stir gently.
Garnish, serve, and enjoy.

Notes

For all the variations on the Mule, we always suggest using freshly squeezed Lime Juice and fresh, well carbonated Ginger Beer. The reason to use fresh Ginger Beer is probably pretty obvious! Nobody likes a flat soda. Part of the enjoyment of the Irish Mule goes beyond the flavour. A lot of it is in the mouthfeel. And just as important is the fresh Lime Juice. It can be hard for the Lime to come through the more intense flavours of the Ginger Beer, but if it's fresh, it will be there.

And finally, don't forget the Whiskey! You may want to use cheap Whiskey so you don't "waste it on a cocktail," but remember, the quality of your cocktail will be dependent on the quality of your ingredients!

Want To Know More About the Irish Mule?

What more can we say about this cocktail? Ginger Beer, in general, is a great drink on its own, but adding a spirit to it just makes it so much more. It’s amazing how versatile Ginger Beer is, basically going with any spirit to create a simple yet very tasty drink. And that’s why there are so cocktails with the word “Mule” in it. Sometimes you’ll also see a mixture of Ginger Beer and Spirit be called a “Buck,” but that name has gone out of fashion to be “Mule.” This is likely just because of the popularity of the Moscow Mule. Names shift over time. Regardless of what you call a cocktail, it doesn’t really matter, as long as it tastes good.

Does the Irish Mule work as a batch cocktail?

Sure. We’re only talking three ingredients here, so putting everything into a larger jug would work very well. Then you can just easily serve everybody who wants a cocktail from said jug. We wouldn’t suggest putting ice in the jug though. Keep the ice in the glasses! That way the drink doesn’t get too diluted from the melting ice.

Is the Irish Mule OK to make in advance?

Don’t make your Irish Mule (individual or as a batch) until you’re ready to serve it. The Ginger Beer should be fresh and fully carbonated, so letting it sit for too long will allow it to go flat. Just prepare everything when everyone is ready for a drink then serve it out.

When’s the best time to drink an Irish Mule?

Any time really! Some cocktails have theme to them, are most suited to a certain point of a meal, or for a special occasion. The Irish Mule, on the other hand, is really just a good all rounder. It’s also just a nice and refreshing drink to have as a reward for a long day or something to have at barbeque. Don’t overthink this cocktail. Just enjoy it!

Is the Irish Mule strong?

It will be stronger than a beer or a glass of wine, but, compared to a lot of other cocktails, it’s not too bad. The challenge with a cocktail like this is that the alcohol is hidden well behind the Ginger Beer, so you may not realise how much you’re having. Keep in mind that there’s a full 60 mL of Whiskey in this!

What music goes best with an Irish Mule?

Since this is really an “any time” cocktail, we’d say enjoy it while listening to any kind of music. Seriously, this is a cocktail to kick back and relax with, so embrace that relaxation with your favourite tunes rather than trying to create a theme. Maybe you have some background music on while you you’re hosting a small party, or you’ve popped some headphones in so you can zone out and unwind. It’s up to you!