Spicy Moscow Mule with Jalapeño Tequila

Spicy and sweet, the Spicy Moscow Mule delivers a one-two punch of spice from ginger beer and jalapeño tequila.

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Spicy Moscow Mule recipe

If I see a spicy cocktail on a menu, I have to order it. I love a hint of spiciness, whether that’s in the salty rim of a Bloody Mary or a spicy margarita.

Spice adds an element of surprise to a cocktail. It gives your tastebuds something else to ponder in addition to bitter alcohol and sweet mixers.

This Spicy Moscow Mule brings all of that to the table, and more. It’s not only made with spicy ginger beer but spicy tequila as well.

More spicy drinks: Spicy Bloody Mary • Spicy Jalapeño Blackberry Margarita • Mexican Candy Shot

Why you’ll love this recipe

Spice lovers, this recipe is for you!

• This spicy mule is perfect for fans of a little fire in their cocktails.
• It takes the regular Moscow Mule up a few notches… on the Scoville scale.
• It’s easy to make and customize to your preferences.

What is a Moscow Mule?

The Moscow Mule is a classic cocktail made with vodka, ginger beer and lime juice. This popular drink is sweet and sour with a hint of spice thanks to the natural spice of ginger beer.

When the traditional Moscow Mule is made with spirits other than vodka, it often takes on a new name. If it’s made with tequila, it can be called a Mexican mule. When it’s made with rum, it’s called a Dark & Stormy. And if it’s made with bourbon, it’s called a Kentucky mule — just to name a few of the variations!

Technically, since this spicy Moscow mule recipe is made with tequila, you could call it a spicy Mexican mule… Call it whatever you want — it’s simply a delicious cocktail with a spicy twist!

Mules are usually served in copper mugs, which help to keep the drink ice cold.

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Ingredients

Here’s what to grab at the store to make this Jalapeño Moscow Mule recipe:

• jalapeño tequila
• ginger beer
• lime juice
• jalapeños, for garnish
• limes to wedge or slice, for garnish

A quick note on lime juice: This is key to any Moscow mule. The citrus adds a little zing of sourness that balances out the sweetness and spiciness of ginger beer and cuts the kick of the jalapeños. The store-bought concentrate is handy, but for a fresher taste, use a fresh lime. Half a lime per cocktail should make for the perfect addition.

Best jalapeño tequila

Spicy tequila is my choice to make this spicy mule. I like to make my own jalapeño infused tequila. That’s my secret ingredient because you can make the tequila as mild or spicy as you like!

It only takes a few days to infuse and it’s simpler than stocking up on two kinds of tequila. All you need is blanco tequila and a couple of fresh jalapeños. You can also use your favorite mezcal to give your cocktail a smokier flavor.

However, you have another option: jalapeño simple syrup. This is easy to make with sugar, water and fresh peppers. Using it does result in a slightly sweeter cocktail, but the flavor will be all there. You can combine it with regular tequila, vodka or rum — whatever you like!

There are also a few commercial brands of spicy tequila you can buy, such as:

• Tanteo Tequila
• Ghost Blanco Tequila
• Yave Jalapeño Tequila
• 21 Seeds Cucumber Jalapeño Blanco Tequila

Best ginger beer

Ginger beer is a fermented ginger soda and, even though it has the name “beer,” it is non-alcoholic.

The ginger root is known for its spiciness, and it comes through in this beverage. However, ginger beers range from mild to super spicy.

I taste-tested all the brands of ginger beer I could find and ranked them by spice level. Hopefully, you will find a favorite ginger beer in this list!

For a super spicy jalapeño mule, I’d go with one of the spicier options like Reed’s Strongest or Maine Root.

For a milder mule, choose a sweeter one with less bite, like Fever-Tree ginger beer or Bundaberg, which will help to cut the spice of the jalapeños.

If you want to use ginger ale, feel free but your cocktail may be a bit on the sweeter side.

Garnishes

To top off this cocktail and give it a restaurant-quality vibe, add a lime wedge to the rim and add a few slices of jalapeños on top of the ice.

Ice is a key cocktail ingredient and it changes the look of the drink. I like to use crushed ice in my mules, especially in the summer, because the copper mug gets frosty and keeps the drink cold. You can use cubes as well.

Variations & substitutions

There are a few ways to tinker with this spicy mule recipe.

• Make it sugar-free. Use zero-calorie ginger beer (like Zevia).
• Use ginger ale. Ginger ale is lighter and less spicy than ginger beer.
• Make it with spicy syrup. Instead of spicy tequila, you can use a jalapeño-infused simple syrup.
• Use mezcal. Opt for spicy mezcal to give your cocktail a smoky flavor.

Want an even spicier cocktail? Try one of these suggestions:

• Use a super spicy ginger beer. Try Maine Root or Reed’s Strongest.
• Make your jalapeño tequila spicier. Try adding habanero or serrano peppers to make a spicier tequila infusion. (Same goes if you’re using the jalapeño syrup method.)
• Add spicy bitters. Add a few drops of spicy bitters to the top of the finished cocktail. I love the Infuse Tres Amigos Bitters. You could also try out Hella Smoked Chili Bitters or Scrappy’s Firewater Tincture.
• Add a sprinkle of black pepper. Crack some black pepper on top of your cocktail for an extra kick.

How to make a Spicy Jalapeño Moscow Mule

You can pull off these easy spicy jalapeño Moscow mules in just a few steps.

1. First, take your copper mule mug (or a rocks glass) and fill it with your ice. You can use crushed ice or ice cubes.
2. Add your spicy tequila (or blanco tequila and spicy simple syrup).
3. Top with fresh lime juice. If you’re using a fresh lime, you can drop in the spent shell. The zest of the lime will add extra citrus bite as the drink infuses.
4. To finish, top with ginger beer. Garnish with jalapeño slices and/or a lime wedge.

Food pairings

Serve your spicy mules with some homemade spicy snacks. Some chicken wings slathered in buffalo sauce would be perfect. Spicy roasted chickpeas are another favorite at my house.

These spicy fire crackers are a really fun and unique appetizer. Pair them with a spicy pineapple salsa or guacamole.

More mule recipes

If you like flavored Moscow mules, try one of these easy recipes for your next happy hour or party. They are great cocktails to enjoy throughout the year with seasonal produce.

• Pear mule
• Raspberry mule
• Pumpkin spice mule
• Apple cider mule
• Gingerbread mule
• Cranberry mule
• Pomegranate mule