In this post, we reveal the top 7 ways to make the delicious and unique Whiskey Mule, a classic twist on the legendary Moscow Mule. Let's get started!

Introduction

The Whiskey Mule is a variation of the Moscow Mule, a cocktail drink that was invented in 1941 in the United States. The difference between the two is that while the classic Moscow Mule uses vodka, the choice alcohol in a Whiskey Mule is whiskey. A Whiskey Mule is known by many names, depending on the type of whiskey used to make it. Some popular names include Kentucky Mule and Whiskey Ginger. 

The History of the Whiskey Mule 

Like many other variations of the Moscow Mule, the Whiskey Mule came into existence when spirit lovers wanted a twist on the original recipe. They exchanged vodka with whiskey to create this drink. In other mule variations, vodka can be replaced with rum, gin, or other different types of alcohol. 

If you’re a fan of whiskey, then this is the mule for you. It’s quite easy to make, with just three basic ingredients—ginger beer or ale, whiskey, and lime juice. Ginger beer is the constant ingredient in any mule, and how you use it will affect the taste of your cocktail. You can use ginger ale instead of ginger beer when you want a milder and sweeter flavor profile. 

The Whiskey Mule is a drink for any day and every season and is ideal for parties since it's delicious and absolutely easy to make. If you can, use freshly squeezed lime juice instead of store-bought varieties for a vibrant and natural flavor. 

Below are some of the whiskeys you can use to make the Whiskey Mule. The difference between the whiskeys is in their taste, so what you choose will depend on your personal preference.

• Malt Whiskey – Malt whiskey originates from Scotland and has a smoky flavor. Made with malted barley, it’s distilled using a pot still. It’s then matured for at least three years in oak casks.
• Grain Whiskey – Grain whiskey is also produced in Scotland, but it's not made of malt. Instead, it’s made using other types of grains such as wheat. It’s also made in Ireland and tastes almost like vodka. If you don’t want to overwhelm the taste of other ingredients in your cocktail recipe, then this is a good whiskey to use.
• Blended Whiskey – Malt and grain are combined to make blended whiskey. For a smooth flavor, choose a whiskey with more grain than malt. 
• Bourbon – Bourbon refers to spirit made in the United States. It comes from corn and is aged in oak barrels for at least two years. Other types of grain such as rye and wheat are used, but the amount of corn must be at least 51 percent for the spirit to be called a bourbon. 
• Tennessee Whiskey – Like bourbon, Tennessee whiskey is from the U.S. However, it's made in the state of Tennessee. It undergoes an extra step of charcoal filtration before fermentation, which distinguishes it from other American spirits. Because of this step, this whiskey is a bit smoother than bourbon. 

7 Top Whiskey Mule Recipes 

Here are seven ways you can make a Whiskey Mule today using different whiskeys:

Kentucky Mule / Whiskey Ginger

Image by Aysegul Sandford of Foolproof Living

The Kentucky Mule is made using bourbon paired with ginger ale. This mixture produces a balance of the nutty flavor of the spirit with spicy ginger, thus making a delicious and unique combination. 

Prep Time: 2 minutes
Serves: 1

Ingredients:

• 1¼ ounces bourbon
• ½ ounce lime juice (fresh)
• 1 top ginger ale
• 1 lime wedge

Instructions:

1. Put ice in your copper mug then add lime juice. 
2. Pour bourbon into the mug, add ginger ale and combine by stirring. 
3. Garnish using a lime wedge and enjoy.

Middleton Mule

The Middleton Mule is similar to the Kentucky Mule except that it uses ginger syrup. Here’s how to make ginger syrup at home for that perfect cocktail:

1. You will need a cup of sugar, a cup of sliced ginger root, and ¾ cup of water.
2. Combine the water and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar is dissolved, then add ginger.
3. When it begins to boil, cover, and reduce the heat.
4. Simmer for 15 minutes, then remove from the heat and let it cool.
5. Keep the mixture covered to allow steeping for about an hour.
6. Finally, strain the syrup into a bottle and keep it tightly sealed, ready for use whenever you need it. 

Put your ginger syrup in the refrigerator and use it to make cocktails within two weeks. Here’s the recipe for the mule:

Prep Time: 3 minutes
Serves: 1

Ingredients:

• 1½ ounces whiskey
• ¼ ounce lime juice
• ¼ ounce ginger syrup
• 3¼ ounces ginger beer
• Lime wedge

Instructions:

1. Add whiskey, lime juice, ginger syrup, and ice into a shaker and shake to combine. 
2. Strain the mixture into a copper mug, add more ice, then top with ginger beer. 
3. Garnish using the lime wedge and drink up. 

Tennessee Whiskey Mule

Choose your favorite Tennessee whiskey brand for this mule. This is a brilliant choice cocktail for parties, so try it out the next time you have guests over. 

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Serves: 1

Ingredients:

• 1½ ounces Tennessee whiskey 
• 4 ounces ginger beer 
• Fresh mint leaves 
• 3 lime wedges 

Instructions:

1. Muddle five mint leaves and two lime wedges to release their juices and essence. 
2. Put the lime juice and mint into a glass filled with ice and add whiskey. Top with ginger beer and stir. 
3. Garnish with mint leaves and a lime wedge. Enjoy.

Irish Whiskey Mule

Irish whiskey is made in Ireland and is available in different styles. You can choose from grain, blended, single pot still, or single malt Irish whiskey to make an Irish Whiskey Mule. Use more ginger beer if you want a sweet drink, and less if you want the whiskey flavor to be more pronounced. 

Prep Time: 2 minutes
Serves: 1

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces Irish whiskey 
• 6 ounces ginger beer 
• 1 ounce lime juice (fresh)
• Ice
• 1 lime wedge 
• Mint sprig 

Instructions:

1. Fill a cocktail mug with ice and pour lime juice and whiskey. 
2. Top with ginger beer and stir to mix. 
3. Garnish with the mint sprig and lime wedge. 

Blackberry Sage Kentucky Mule

If you like a fruity or herbal twist in your cocktails, then this recipe is for you. Use fresh blackberries and sage for a great flavor. Enjoy this cocktail daily to increase your energy and reduce sugar cravings, which is one of the ways moderate alcohol consumption can help in weight loss. 

Prep Time: 3 minutes
Serves: 1

Ingredients: 

• 2 ounces bourbon 
• 4 ounces ginger beer
• 4 blackberries 
• ¾ ounce lime juice (fresh)
• 1 ounce sage syrup 

Instructions:

1. In a copper mug, muddle the blackberries. 
2. Pour in lime juice and sage syrup then fill the mug with ice. 
3. Add bourbon and top with the ginger beer, then stir to combine. 
4. Enjoy. 

Clementine Whiskey Mule

Try this Clementine Whiskey Mule for a citrusy cocktail. The combination of ingredients here makes a sweet cocktail, so if you like your alcoholic beverages with sweeter flavors, then you should definitely try out this recipe. 

Prep Time: 3 minutes
Serves: 1

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces Tennessee honey whiskey 
• 1 ounce ginger syrup 
• Fresh juice of 1 clementine 
• A squeeze of Meyer lemon 
• Squeeze of lime 
• 4 ounces of ginger ale
• Slice of clementine 

Instructions:

1. Pour whiskey, ginger syrup, clementine juice, Meyer lemon, and lime juice into a shaker with ice then shake to blend. 
2. Fill a copper mug with ice, then strain the whiskey mixture into the mug. 
3. Top with ginger ale then stir. 
4. Garnish with a slice of clementine and serve. 

Frozen Peach Whiskey Mule

This is another fruity Whiskey Mule option that uses frozen peaches. For this cocktail, use ice to control the consistency; for instance, blending in more ice will make it thicker. Also, use crushed ice as it will be easier to blend. You can easily make crushed ice in your kitchen by wrapping ice cubes in a clean kitchen cloth then smashing them with a mallet. 

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Serves: 1

Ingredients:

• 1½ ounces bourbon 
• 1½ ounces fresh peaches, chopped 
• ½ ounce lime juice (fresh)
• 3 ounces ginger beer
• 1 cup crushed ice 
• Fresh mint sprigs 

Instructions:

1. Combine ginger beer, lime juice, frozen peaches, and bourbon in a blender. Add ice then blend. 
2. Pour the mixture into a copper mug and garnish with fresh mint sprigs. 
3. Enjoy. 

Explore Flavors 

The Whiskey Mule is a must-try variation of the Moscow Mule because of its versatility. Try as many recipes as you can to identify your favorite flavors. While at it, you can also add different types of herbs and fruits to spice up your drink. 

Always drink your cocktails in moderation to enjoy them and avoid harming your health. Moderate alcohol intake has been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases in healthy people, and a cocktail a day can be the drink that delivers these amazing benefits. For a refreshing drink, always serve over ice, and, in true mule fashion, use a copper mug to keep your beverage chilled for longer. 

Did You Enjoy This Article?

Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this article, you might also like the following articles: Top 7 Tennessee Mule Recipes and Top 7 Rum Mule Recipes

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