Kentucky Mule Recipe: The Kentucky Mule is a Southern twist on the classic Moscow Mule. Combine bourbon and ginger beer with fresh lime juice for an easy, refreshing 3-ingredient cocktail. Such an easy way to impress guests with your bartending skills! This might be one of the easiest cocktails that you’ll ever make. And if you’re a bourbon lover, you’ll agree that this is a great choice. Kentucky Mule Recipe: You must pick your favorite smooth bourbon to get the best flavor, and of course, a high-quality ginger beer is a must. As long as you’re of legal drinking age, get ready to enjoy your new favorite cocktail!  You’ll find that most serve this in a copper mule mug, but a highball glass with some lime wedges on the side works just fine. 

What I love about fun cocktails like this is that they let you put a little bit of a fun spin on the classic Moscow Mule recipe to create the perfect cocktail for what you’re craving.  The first time I made this, I knew that this easy cocktail was going to be a regular. (and not just because I’m a fan of bourbon-based drinks!) The zing of ginger beer paired with the delicious twist of fresh lime proved that this is my new favorite way to make this delicious recipe. It’s perfect for warmer weather, happy hour, or a simple, delicious cocktail to share with family and friends. 

Kentucky Mule

You’ve probably heard of the Moscow mule — or its Irish cousin — but what is a Kentucky mule?  

It’s the same delicious ginger lime cocktail made with bourbon instead of vodka or whiskey!

A little sweet, a little spicy, with just the right amount of bubbles, this bourbon and ginger beer cocktail is the right choice for any occasion. 

Enjoy a mug on a warm day or mix up a whole pitcher for friends. All you need are 3 simple ingredients!

While you’ve got that bottle open, why not make some bourbon barbecue chicken kabobs or baby back ribs? Both are coated in a sticky, sweet sauce that is finger-lickin’ good.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

Kentucky Bourbon: I prefer Maker’s Mark, but have used Jim Beam to make this Kentucky mule recipe with good results. 

Feel free to use your favorite brand or one that fits your budget.

Ginger Beer: Similar to ginger ale, but with a bolder flavor and fewer bubbles. Despite the name, it’s not actually a beer and is typically non-alcoholic.

If you prefer a lighter, less spicy bite to your Kentucky mule cocktail, it’s fine to use ginger ale instead.

Fresh Limes: Depending on the size, you’ll need one lime for juicing and another for garnish. However, you may get away with one for both if it’s substantial enough.

Bottled lime juice will work in a pinch, but it’s best to use the kind found with the drink mixers. Avoid the concentrated stuff from the produce aisle.

Ice: Sure, most people have this on hand, but it doesn’t hurt to mention it! 

Use cubed or crushed ice, depending on your preference — it’s perfect for drinking right from the mug.

Also Read:  Chicken Feet Recipe: Quick and Tasty

Tips to Make a Perfect Kentucky Mule Drink

Use the right bar tools.

A jigger is a bartender’s friend, allowing precise measurements at a glance for a perfectly balanced cocktail. In a pinch, use liquid shot glass measuring cups for accuracy.

For stirring, grab a bar spoon. It’s long and slender, slipping easily through the ice, so everything is well mixed.

Adjust the sweetness and ginger flavor to your liking.

Scale the amount of ginger beer up or down depending on how much bourbon you want to taste. 

You can also add a little ginger syrup or muddle a few slices of fresh ginger in the bottom of the glass before adding the ice. 

It’ll boost the ginger flavor without messing with the ratio of bourbon or overwhelming the drink with bubbles.

Too much bite? Stir in a sugar cube or add a splash of simple syrup!

Experiment with extra layers of flavor.

Add a dash of aromatic bitters or use an infused bourbon — honey and cinnamon are popular choices.

Ginger beer comes in a variety of flavors as well, adding extra citrus or chili peppers for heat.

Don’t forget garnishes! Bourbon-soaked fruit makes each drink look extra fancy, while a smoked salt rim adds smokiness to each sip.

Prep Ahead

Trim mint sprigs for garnish

Juice and slice limes

Kitchen Tools You Will Need

Copper Mug – This is the classic choice for a Kentucky mule drink — or any mule, for that matter! Pop it in the freezer first for an extra-chilled cocktail.

Jigger – Essential for any well-stocked bar, this quickly and accurately measures liquids for making cocktails. Kentucky Mule Recipe. In a pinch, liquid measuring cups will work as well.

Bar Spoon – A long, thin spoon that quickly mixes ingredients, no matter how tall the glass is.

Citrus Juicer – This gets every last drop out, which makes juicing limes so much easier.

Serving Suggestions 

Add a sprig of mint to each Kentucky mule drink, plus a slice of lime to the rim of the mug. Kentucky Mule Recipe: Pieces of candied ginger can make each cocktail extra special!

Pair with mini sandwiches and shortbread pecan pie bars for a Kentucky Derby party, or sip mugs poolside while you catch some summer rays.

Better yet, the lime and mint combo makes this a year-round cocktail, so mix up a batch for the winter holidays too!

How to Make Batch Bourbon Mule Cocktails

This Kentucky mule recipe is easy to scale up for parties or weekend sipping. Don’t worry, I’ve done the calculations for you!

Add everything to a large pitcher (at least 60-ounce capacity) and give it a stir, then pour the bourbon mule mixture into copper mugs full of ice.

1 ½ cups Kentucky bourbon

4 cups ginger beer

½ cup lime juice

This batch recipe will give you 8 servings. If you plan to make it ahead of time, wait to add the ginger beer so it doesn’t go flat.

Also Read: Quick Hummus Recipe Without Tahini: 7 Tasty Ideas

Conclusion

The Kentucky Mule is a very simple and refreshing drink that only requires three ingredients to make: Kentucky Mule Recipe bourbon, ginger beer, and lime juice. The combination of these three flavors gives it a slightly sour, slightly tart, and very FRESH taste. Whether you make it for yourself or serve it to guests, this drink is ready in minutes, and everyone loves it. Kentucky Mule Recipe: Just try to use a good quality bourbon and a great ginger beer, and if possible, serve it in a chilled copper mug. It’s the perfect and easy drink for any occasion.

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