Mexican Mule

Tequila is the star of the Mexican Mule. Ginger beer, lime and your favorite mezcal come together beautifully in this easy sipper.

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Mexican Mule Recipe

If you didn’t know by now, ginger beer is one of my favorite cocktail mixers! It’s a spicy and refreshing carbonated soda, and it’s actually a non-alcoholic mixer even though it’s called a “beer.” It’s more like a ginger root beer.

Ginger beer is the star of the show in a classic Moscow mule, which traditionally consists of vodka, lime juice, and ginger beer. It’s fantastic!

The Mexican Mule, on the other hand, uses tequila instead. It’s gingery, citrusy and spicy — everything a good tequila cocktail should be.

Next time you’re considering a traditional Moscow mule, shake things up and make this Mexican mule cocktail instead! It’s the perfect fit if you’re looking for a tequila drink that’s not a margarita and it’s a lovely drink for springtime, or sipping on the beach somewhere.

Try it at your next taco night or ask your bartender to make you one of these next time you’re out. If you ask me, there’s no bad time to try a Mexican Mule!

More mule variations: Kentucky Mule • Yule Mule • Irish Mule

Why you’ll love this recipe

There’s so much to love about a tequila mule recipe. This fun cocktail is just so flavorful and refreshing:

• This cocktail is super versatile! You can easily change up the flavor by adding other fun ingredients and you can also make it stronger or weaker depending on your preferences.
• Whip up this refreshing mixed drink in just 5 minutes. It’s the perfect party beverage for Cinco de Mayo, pool parties or other summer activities!
• You don’t need any fancy tools or ingredients to make a Mexican mule. It’s a great beginner cocktail if you’re nervous about being your own bartender.

Tools & glassware 

You only need a few basic, simple tools to make this delicious cocktail! Grab a few copper mugs or some rocks glasses, enough for however many drinks you plan to make.

Then you’ll also need a jigger to measure the tequila and a spoon to mix everything together. If you’re using fresh lime juice, then you will also need a citrus juicer. But that’s it! That’s all you need.

Ingredients

With just a few simple ingredients, you can make fun Mexican mule. Here’s everything that you’ll need:

• fresh lime juice: Fresh-squeezed lime juice adds the perfect sour bite to this spicy drink. You can use bottle lime juice if you prefer, but the flavor won’t be as good.
• tequila: I like to use spicy tequila, blanco tequila or mezcal. But any kind of tequila that you enjoy will work!
• ginger beer: For best results, make sure that your spicy ginger beer is chilled. This will help ensure that your drink is cold and crisp. If you cannot find ginger beer or don’t have it on hand, ginger ale is a great substitute!
• garnishes: Lime slice, jalapeño slices, and cilantro are the best garnishes for this drink. You could also use some fresh mint leaves, or even a dehydrated lemon slice or dehydrated lime slice.

Best tequila for a Mexican Mule

My suggestion is always to use the best tequila you can afford. But you still have some options.

First, there’s blanco AKA silver tequila. It’s the most common type of tequila, and it’s often used for mixed drinks, like margaritas. Clear and colorless, it is unaged and stored in stainless steel tanks while it rests.

Then there’s an upgrade called reposado tequila. It gets its name from the word for ‘rested’ in Spanish because it is aged in oak barrels for between two months and one year.

The aging process gives it some of the oak’s coloration and flavor, though additional coloring and flavoring are sometimes added.

You can also use reposado tequila for cocktails, and the oaky flavor will give your Mexican mule an extra layer of flavor, not unlike a Kentucky Mule which is made with bourbon.

For something spicier, I recommend trying a Mexican Mule made with this spicy jalapeño-infused tequila.

How to make a Mexican Mule

The best part about this cocktail — how easy it is to make! You don’t even need a cocktail shaker. Follow these step-by-step instructions to make this fun beverage in no time:

To start, fill a copper mug or a rocks glass with ice cubes. Then squeeze half a lime into the mug, and drop in the spent shell.

Pour in your favorite tequila and stir it well. Top with bubbly ginger beer, then stir the ingredients together gently.

Garnish with a lime slice or lime wedge, and if desired add some jalapeño slices.

Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips & tricks

Check out these few tips to ensure you have the best success with this super simple recipe:

• I recommend using copper mugs if at all possible! They help keep the cocktail chilled as you sip on it. This drink is definitely best when it is cold.
• Does your Mexican mule have too much of a bite for your taste? Mix in a bit of simple syrup for a touch of sweetness.
• Be careful not to stir the ginger beer too much after adding it to the other ingredients or it could lost some of its carbonation.

Food pairings

This bubbly and spicy little cocktail pairs wonderfully with so many tasty snacks like chips and guacamole or chips and salsa. It’s a fabulous addition to your taco night essentials and pairs wonderfully with even the most simple of taco recipes.

I love to sip on it when we make a big batch of queso fundido too. It’s also a great pairing with some shishito peppers and garlic aioli.

FAQ

More Mule Recipes

• Strawberry Mule
• Mezcal Mule
• Grapefruit Moscow Mule
• Frozen Moscow Mule