Irish Mule Recipe

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An Irish Mule is a refreshing, gingery cocktail that only requires three ingredients to make: Irish whiskey, ginger beer, and lime juice.

Overhead shot of Irish Mule garnished with mint leaves and a lime wheel.

What’s not to love about a simple and delicious cocktail? This one is an easy variation of a Moscow mule. It’s lightly sweet with a bit of spice from the ginger beer, and a little tangy from the fresh lime juice. If you like mint, it adds a bright note to the cocktail.

Not just for St. Patrick’s Day! The name is simply derived from its use of Irish whiskey, and you should feel free to serve this one up any day of the year. It’s the perfect cocktail for a gathering since guests can easily serve themselves. (See the tips below for a “Make your own Mule bar.”)

FAQS:

What is an Irish Mule?

An Irish Mule is simply a variation of a Moscow Mule. It swaps out the vodka for Irish whiskey, creating a lightly sweet and refreshing cocktail.

What other Moscow Mule variations are there?

~Try a Mexican Mule by swapping the vodka for tequila.
~A Kentucky Mule showcases bourbon.
~Prefer rum in your cocktail? A Jamaican Mule uses spiced rum, while a Dark and Stormy Cocktail uses dark rum.
~You could even try your hand at a French Mule using cognac.

What other cocktails use ginger beer?

Ginger beer isn’t just for Mule variations. Try mixing equal parts ginger beer with your favorite ale or lager for a delicious twist on a Shandy. You can even spice up your Mojitos by substituting ginger beer for the club soda. For more ideas, check out The Spruce Eats 16 Snappy Ginger Beer Cocktails.

Does ginger beer contain alcohol?

Traditional ginger beer was produced through a process of fermenting and brewing, but modern ginger beer is carbonated making it a soft drink. Check out Kitchn for more details about the process and the Difference Between Ginger Ale and Ginger Beer.

HOW TO PREPARE AN IRISH MULE:

Mint leaves, lime, bottle of Irish whiskey, and can of ginger beer.

Irish Mule ingredients are simple. You will need Irish whiskey (such as Jameson), ginger beer, and lime juice. (Plus mint leaves and lime wheels for garnish, if desired.)
Fill a rocks glass with ice.
Pour in 1 ½ ounces Jameson (or Irish whiskey of choice). Top with about three ounces of ginger beer. Squeeze in the juice of a lime wedge, and stir gently.
Garnish with a lime wheel and mint if desired.

Hand pouring a shot of whiskey into a glass filled with ice. — Add Irish whiskey to a glass of ice.

Hand pouring ginger beer into a glass. — Add Irish whiskey to a glass of ice.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS:

Add a few dashes of bitters if you prefer a drier cocktail.
Serve in a traditional copper mug to keep your Mule perfectly chilled.
Set up a “make your own mule” drink station for a gathering. Simply create a sign with the basic instructions for guests to create their own varieties of Mules. Set out a bucket of ice with a scoop, a bowl of lime wedges, cans or bottles of ginger beer, and the different liquors for guests to mix into their mules. If you’d like to include the mint garnish, set some mint stems in a glass of water. Don’t forget a bar spoon for stirring the cocktails. If you want to get fancy, add a set of copper mugs for serving.

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Hand holding an Irish Mule with a second cocktail blurred in the background.

INGREDIENT SUBSTITUTIONS:

While you could use a bottled lime juice in this recipe, I prefer a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
If you don’t like the spiciness of ginger beer, you can substitute ginger ale in this recipe.

RECIPE NOTES:

If garnishing with mint, give the mint leaves a light smack between your palms to release the oils and more fragrance.
I used Gosling’s Ginger Beer in this recipe, but Fever Tree also makes a delicious ginger beer that is slightly more gingery. Both are less sweet than some other popular brands.
Check out all the Cocktail and Drink recipes.

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