How to Make the Perfect Summer Cocktail: the Kentucky Mule

by laladiesman

329K51018

Intro: How to Make the Perfect Summer Cocktail: the Kentucky Mule

Summer is upon us. This beautiful, hot season will be filled with outdoor everything; whether it’s a party with friends and family or a relaxing night in. This great, refreshing cocktail will get the party started or keep you from overheating in the sweltering heat. The combination of mint, lime, ginger and whiskey are refreshing and will keep people begging for more. This cocktail is a twist on the Moscow Mule; this way is just making it a little more American. This would be a wonderful cocktail to have at your Fourth of July party! So lets get started!

STEP 1: Make a Trip…to the Store (if You Don’t Have These Already)

You will need the following:

- A bundle of mint leaves

- Lime (one will make four cocktails, plus one more for garnish). You could use lime juice from a bottle, but it’s definitely better when it comes from an actual lime.

- Ginger beer (not ale!) I suggest everything but Reed’s Ginger Beer. It’s too sweet; get something spicy!

- Whiskey. Preferably a bourbon from Kentucky, like Maker’s Mark.

- Ice (if your freezer doesn’t already produce it)

- Copper mugs. A regular glass will work if you do not want to spend money on a few. They can be found at any kitchen-oriented stores (Sur La Table, Crate and Barrel, etc.)

- One shaker.

- One muddler. A spoon/fork will work just fine. I won’t tell anyone if you don’t!

- A knife. Use caution after two or more Kentucky Mules!

STEP 2: Preparation Is Key!

Make sure everything is clean, once that is done…

- Leave mint leaves whole (muddling will break the leaves up)

- Cut lime into quarters.

STEP 3: Get Angry and Muddle!

What I mean by this is...

- Throw mint leaves and 1/4 of a lime into the shaker.

- Muddle it, till there’s nothing left to muddle.Don’t be afraid to let today’s troubles get in the way of your muddling. Let your anger out on the lime and mint!

STEP 4: Combine the (rest of The) Good Stuff.

- Add ice and an ounce and a half of whiskey to the muddled lime and mint in the shaker.

- Mix the flavors together, so shake lightly.

STEP 5: Enjoy!

- Pour all (shaken) ingredients into copper mug.

- Top off with about 4 ounces of ginger beer and some more ice.

- Garnish with lime wheel and a mint leaf.

Enjoy this with your friends and family on a hot summer evening or enjoy this at home with your closest loved one. I hope this cocktail let you sit back, relax, and enjoy your surroundings. This cocktail goes great with any meal, so enjoy it whenever you want! End your week, full of stress, with this cocktail.

18 Comments

DrinkEssentials 8 years ago

Nice read Instructables.


1) Most ginger beers are already sweet so depending on preference, you might not need the simple syrup.

2) Swap vodka with rum and you have a Dark & Stormy. Swap vodka with tequila and you have a Mexican Mule (Cinco de Mayo is around the corner you know).

3) Muddle in your favorite fruit to kick things up a notch (we like blueberries and strawberries).

4) Our classic Mule recipe: fill a copper mug with ice, squeeze in 1/2 a lime (full lime if you like 'em more acidic), 2 oz vodka (no sense in messing' around...get to the point already) then fill up your mug with a good ginger beer.

5) A quality spirit and ginger beer is key. For vodka, try Tito's...nice, clean taste. For ginger beer, Fever Tree & Q Ginger Beer are our 2 favorites.

6) If you have copper mugs, store them in the freezer for at least 30 minutes until party time.

7) Here are some additional recipes if needed:http://www.drinkwareessentials.com/9-different-wa...

While the Mule is certainly trendy, you can't argue with the fact they're **delicious** and on a hot day, very refreshing.

ToddC27 8 years ago

I recommend going 2oz. whisky 2 oz. Not Your Father's Ginger Ale Beer! The Lime is perfect as suggested! I admit I do double this mix and serve it in a tall glass with ice to the top!

tehbanz 10 years ago

Also, vodka can replace whiskey for a Moscow Mule.

fiberartsy 10 years ago

Please tell me it's better than a Mint Julep! This Ky girl does NOT like Juleps

jklovance 10 years ago

Mint julips have no ginger in them so they will taste very different.

martshal 10 years ago

Can't claim to know anything about a "Kentucky Mule", but I drink Moscow Mules all summer long. Made with Vodka so there's not to many flavors trying to overpower your tongue... pure refreshment.

jklovance 10 years ago

Kentucky Mules must be pretty tame. Half an ounce of Makers Mark (42% ABV) in a six ounce drink only comes out to about 3.5% ABV. We call that session strength up here in Canada as you can drink it all day. Double or triple the Whiskey and you might have a kick.

(ABV=alcohol by volume)

laladiesman 10 years ago

I meant for it to say an ounce and a half. Thanks for pointing it out, I just barely fixed it.

ahorn8 10 years ago

Whole foods has a ginger ale that works fine for Moscow mules. I was making Kentucky mules for awhile without dubbing them so.

dmoonen 10 years ago

Where did you get that very nice copper mug.

Th8nos 10 years ago

Ive seen them sold at BEVMO's & WORLDMARKET

echodog 10 years ago

This looks delicious, and I intend to try it out! But I have to ask, why is the copper mug recommended? Won't the acidity in the lime react with the copper and cause a metallic taste?

ilpug 10 years ago

nope. It's a spin off on the original Moscow Mule which was traditionally served in copper mugs.

gsaxon 10 years ago

Reeds is the only decent commonly available ginger beer out there...they do have an "extra ginger" which is pretty strong.

Fuzzy-Wobble 10 years ago

Hell yeah. Love this drink. I like to add cucumber too.