Ingredients
- 2 ounces silver tequila
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- Ice
- Ginger beer to top off
- Lime wedge and mint sprig for garnish
Instructions
- In a rocks glass or copper mug, add ice, tequila, and lime juice.
- Top off with ginger beer.
- Garnish with lime wedge and mint sprig.
Variations and Substitutions
Thanks to the Mexican mule recipe being a riff, there's even more possibility for modifications or shifting around ingredients than a classic cocktail.
- Experiment with different styles of tequila. Instead of silver, try reposado for a slightly oaky taste or añejo for a toastier flavor with an even smoother finish, especially in contrast to the spicy ginger beer.
- For a smokier flavor, use mezcal instead of tequila. The smokey bite adds a complex layer that works well with the spice of the ginger beer.
- Add a splash of simple syrup or agave for a slightly sweeter taste.
- If you're a fan of ginger, add a quarter to half-ounce of ginger syrup.
- Sometimes the spice of ginger beer can be too much, top off with both ginger beer and ginger ale in varying amounts.
Garnishes
The lime wedge and mint sprig garnish might be the norm, but that doesn't mean you have to stick to that option.
- Focus on the lime flavors and use a lime wheel or slice.
- In keeping with the citrus notes, try out a lemon wheel, wedge, or slice.
- Dehydrated citrus wheels add a chic touch.
- Use a lime or lemon peel or ribbon for extra color. This can be done with or without a mint sprig, as well.
- Candied ginger pieces on a cocktail skewer up the ginger notes.
- On a cocktail skewer, alternate waving a lime peel with candied ginger.
About the Mexican Mule
The parent of the Mexican mule, the Moscow mule, was either born of experimentation or needing to use up supplies, depending on who you ask. It can be assumed that the Mexican Mule was born the same way. It's easy to imagine a bartender being asked for a drink like a Moscow mule but with tequila, with a quick and easy swap with the base spirit, or they'd run out of vodka and needed a substitution.
Tequila takes this refreshing cocktail to a new level. Unlike vodka, it brings stronger, earthier flavors and boozier profile to the mule with its sweet notes offsetting the ginger beer and lime. Whether you use silver, reposado, or añejo, the Moscow Mule with tequila is a whole new drink.
A New Kick
As you browse through your ingredients or peruse a cocktail bar's drink menu, consider breaking out of the traditional Moscow mule order. The Mexican mule will be waiting for you on the other side.
