Ten mules, one rule: ginger beer, citrus, ice, copper mug.
The Moscow Mule was invented in Los Angeles in 1941 to sell vodka, ginger beer, and copper mugs to people who didn’t yet want any of them. It worked. Eighty years later, the mule is the most-customised highball in cocktail history.
The template is unbreakable. 60mL spirit, 15mL fresh lime, topped with cold ginger beer, served over crushed ice in a copper mug if you have one or a highball if you don’t. Swap the spirit, you have a new drink.
These are the ten worth knowing.
The recipes
Cocktail
The Moscow Mule
The Moscow Mule is the drink that quietly fixes a hot Australian evening. Ginger, lime, vodka, ice, done. It has no ego and no technique problem. You can…
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Cocktail
The Mexican Mule
Swap vodka for tequila and the Moscow Mule picks up agave warmth and a lime brightness. Why you are pouring this tonight The Mexican Mule is the Moscow…
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Cocktail
The Kentucky Mule
Bourbon in place of vodka. Why you are pouring this tonight The Kentucky Mule is the bourbon mule. Bourbon, lime, cold ginger beer, copper mug, slap-mint sprig. The…
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Cocktail
The Gin Gin Mule
Audrey Saunders’ modern classic from Pegu Club New York. Why you are pouring this tonight The Gin Gin Mule is Audrey Saunders's modern classic from Pegu Club, New…
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Cocktail
The Irish Mule
Swap vodka for Irish whiskey and the Moscow Mule grows up. Why you are pouring this tonight The Moscow Mule grew up in Los Angeles in 1941. The…
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Cocktail
The Jamaican Mule
Dark rum gives the Mule its tropical accent. Why you are pouring this tonight The Jamaican Mule is what happens when the Moscow Mule stops in Kingston for…
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Cocktail
The French Mule
Cognac in place of vodka. Why you are pouring this tonight The French Mule is the cognac mule, and it is a slightly fancier drink than its Russian…
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Cocktail
The Mezcal Mule
The smokiest Mule of the bunch. Why you are pouring this tonight The Mezcal Mule is the smokiest member of a family that did not previously have a…
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Cocktail
Apple Cider Mule
Why you are pouring this tonight The Apple Cider Mule is the Mule for the four weeks of the year that sit between the last warm afternoon and…
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Cocktail
Pomegranate Mule
Brunch-friendly Mule. Why you are pouring this tonight The Pomegranate Mule is the brunch Mule, the one you order at 11.30am on a Sunday at a place in…
Read the recipe →The copper mug isn’t superstition. It chills fast and stays cold longer than glass, and the slight metallic chill amplifies the bite of the ginger. If you cook with one, also flag for ginger syrup, the recipe is in our simple syrup guide.