In this post, we discuss the Rum Mule, a delicious twist on the classic Moscow Mule. We also share the top 7 Rum Mule recipes to try today. Let's get started!

Introduction

In 1941, in a bar in New York, the famous Moscow Mule was invented. Since then, there have been hundreds of variations of the drink made across the world. One of these is the Rum Mule. This variation is based on the original mule cocktail but substitutes vodka for rum as its base alcohol. 

The Rum Mule is said to have first been made in Bermuda, just after the end of the First World War. Its main ingredients are dark rum, ginger beer, and lime juice. With this amazing cocktail people who prefer rum to vodka now have a perfect alternative if they’re looking for an interesting twist to the classic Mule. 

How the Rum Mule is Made 

To make a Rum Mule, you will need a shaker, highball glass, muddler, and a bar spoon. The original drink was served in a highball glass, but you can choose to use a copper mug, in true Mule fashion. 

Besides the basic ingredients - which are ginger beer, lime juice, and rum - ice and simple syrup can also be used. Other ingredients, such as fruits, can be added to introduce preferred flavors and aromas. If you wish, you can use ginger ale instead of ginger beer. 

Choosing Between Ginger Beer and Ginger Ale

Ginger beer or ale is the base of any Moscow Mule variation. Both are ideal for the perfect cocktail; however, they have differences that affect the final outcome in terms of flavor. Ginger beer has a longer history than ale, having been introduced in the mid-1700s in England. Ale came around much later in the mid 19th century, originating from Ireland. 

In terms of production, ginger beer is fermented, a process that leaves it with a small alcohol content. It’s made with a mix of ginger, water, lemon juice, and sugar. Ale, on the other hand, can be defined as carbonated water or soft drink flavored with ginger. Ginger beer has a stronger, spicier taste, and is, therefore, more effective at balancing alcoholic and citrus flavors in mixed drinks. 

Ginger ale has a mellow ginger flavor that will introduce a sweetness to your cocktail. It contains no alcohol and is lighter in color compared to the beer. Whichever you choose to go with, you can expect to benefit from effects such as suppression of nausea and improved gut health. 

To learn more about the difference between ginger beer and ginger ale, see our complete blog post on the subject. In addition, to learn how to make your own ginger beer, check our our complete guide here.

7 Rum Mule Recipes to Try Today

Dark ‘n Stormy Cocktail

This is the simplest Rum Mule recipe, as it only requires three basic ingredients. For the best results, use high-quality ginger beer and dark rum. 

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Serves: 1

Ingredients:

• 4 ounces ginger beer
• 2 ounces dark rum
• ½ cup ice

Instructions:

1. In a glass, combine ginger beer and rum. 
2. Add ice and stir.
3. Serve.

Spiced Rum Mule

This cocktail uses spiced rum, which is essentially rum that contains caramel colorings and spices. Therefore, if you prefer a spicy flavor for your Mule, this is one variation you should definitely try. 

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Serves: 1

Ingredients:

• 1.5 ounces spiced rum
• 4 ounces ginger ale 
• Mint
• Lime

Instructions:

• In a highball glass, muddle lime and mint. 
• Add the ginger ale, rum, and ice into the glass.
• Stir then garnish with mint sprig and lime wheel.
• Serve.

The Cuban Mule

If you love the sweet Cuban mojito, then you may want to try its Rum Mule variation. To do that, you need to switch your white rum for the dark type. Also, you should do away with the soda water and use ginger beer instead.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Serves: 1

Ingredients

• 4 ounces ginger beer
• 1½ ounces dark rum
• 1 teaspoon cane sugar
• ½ lime wedge
• 12 spearmint leaves 

Instructions:

1. Muddle the spearmint leaves, cane sugar, and lime wedge in a tall glass. 
2. Add ginger beer and rum. 
3. Stir the mixture. 
4. Serve over ice and garnish with mint leaves. 

Rum Mule with Simple Syrup

This recipe makes use of simple syrup, which is an alternative to granulated sugar. The simple syrup dissolves more easily and provides a thicker texture. To make your simple syrup at home, mix equal parts of sugar and water then heat them. Cool the syrup once the sugar dissolves, store it in a glass container, and then refrigerate. You can use it for the next two to three weeks. 

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Serves: 1

Ingredients:

• 6 ounces ginger beer 
• 2 ounces rum
• ½ ounce lime juice 
• 3 mint sprigs 
• Splash of simple syrup 
• Lime for garnishing 

Instructions:

1. Pour the rum, ginger beer, simple syrup, and lime juice into a shaker. 
2. Add ice and mint leaves, then mix well. 
3. Serve in a copper mug. 
4. Garnish with lime wedges and mint sprigs. 

Puerto Rican Rum Mule

Puerto Rican rum is the main ingredient in this recipe. Rum from Puerto Rican distilleries makes up the largest percentage of rum consumed in the U.S., thanks to its renowned high quality. Choose your favorite brand of Puerto Rican rum to make this cocktail. 

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Serves: 1

Ingredients:

• 1 ounce Puerto Rican rum
• 2 ounces ginger beer, chilled
• 2 lime wedges 
• 2 dashes aromatic bitters 
• Mint sprig 

Instructions:

1. Add ice into a copper mug then squeeze in fresh lime juice. 
2. Pour in ginger beer and rum.
3. Top with bitters and stir. 
4. Garnish with mint sprig 

Strawberry Rum Mule

If you love fruit-infused cocktails, then the Strawberry Rum Mule is a must-try.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Serves: 1

Ingredients:

• 50ml rum
• 25ml lime juice
• 2 teaspoon sugar
• 5 strawberries, ripe 
• Ginger beer
• Dash of bitters
• 1 strawberry, to garnish 

Instructions:

1. Muddle ripe strawberries in a shaker, then add lime juice, rum, sugar, and bitters. 
2. Add cubed ice into a highball glass, then strain the mixture into it. 
3. Top with ginger beer. 
4. Garnish with strawberry. 

Apple Cider Rum Mule

Try the Apple Cider Rum Mule for a boost of phytochemicals that can reduce your risk of developing asthma, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and some types of cancer. 

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Serves: 2

Ingredients:

• 1 ounce dark rum
• 2 ounces cinnamon-infused whiskey 
• 4 ounces apple cider
• 12 ounces ginger beer
• Apple slices, to garnish 

Instructions:

1. Put ice in copper mugs. 
2. Add ginger beer, apple cider, whiskey, and rum into mugs and mix. 
3. Garnish with apple slices. 

How to Choose Rum for Your Mule Cocktail

While ginger beer or ale is the common ingredient in every Moscow Mule variation, rum is the main ingredient here. Rum is an alcoholic beverage made from fermenting sugarcane molasses or juice. It’s clear that you have to choose a good quality rum for a great Rum Mule cocktail. To help you do that, you should  know about the different types of rum available. 

The following are the main types of rum:

• White Rum – Also known as light rum, this type is light-bodied and has a sweet flavor. It’s normally aged for at least a year. After aging, it’s filtered to remove color. Because of its mild flavor, it’s rarely taken alone and instead mostly used in cocktails. 
• Dark Rum – Dark rum is aged for a longer period compared to white rum, which gives it a spicier and stronger flavor. This type of rum is made from caramelized molasses and aged in charred barrels. The resulting color tone ranges from red to black, to brown. 
• Spiced Rum – While barrel-aged rum naturally obtains a spicy flavor, spiced rums have spices such as pepper, cinnamon, cloves, rosemary, and cardamom added to enhance the taste. Caramel is also added in some cases to intensify the flavor further. 
• Flavored Rum - Flavored rum is mostly used to blend tropical drinks, but it can also be enjoyed neat. This is rum that has been infused with the flavors of fruits such as pineapple, orange, banana, or lime. 
• Overproof Rum – While most rums have an alcohol content of 40 percent or less, overproof rum has a much higher percentage. Some have an ABV (Alcohol by Volume) of up to 80 percent.
• Gold Rum – Gold rum is medium-bodied and has characteristics of both dark and light rum. It has a stronger flavor than white rum but is less intense than dark rum. Gold rum has a dark amber color, which is as a result of being aged in wooden barrels. 

Choose Your Flavor

Flavor and alcohol potency are ideal benchmarks to consider when deciding what kind of Rum Mule to make. Using dark or overproof rum will give you a strong alcoholic base, while flavored and white rum will allow you to try less alcoholic and sweeter flavors. Ingredients such as lime juice, mint, and fruits should be as fresh as possible to provide maximum taste and aroma. 

For an exceptional drinking experience, drink your Rum Mules in moderation. This will not only let you enjoy every sip and savor the flavors, but also bring about psychological health benefits such as improved cognitive performance and reduced stress. Studies have even shown that moderate alcohol consumption promotes euphoria and happiness. So, don’t forget to mix your favorite version of the Rum Mule the next time you’re hosting friends for a great time! 

Did You Enjoy This Article?

Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this article, you might also like the following articles: Top 6 Gin-Gin and Gin Mule Recipes and Best Vodka for Moscow Mule

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