Looking for a totally refreshing bubbly beverage? Pop open an ice-cold ginger beer, pour it over a tall glass of ice, and give it a squeeze of lime. Now stir in a shot of golden tequila that’s been lightly aged in an old whiskey barrel. Ta-da–the Mexican mule cocktail!
With gingery bite, tart citrus, and fermented agave fruit, Mexican mule cocktails have brilliant thirst-quenching flavor balance. Besides taste, they’re a cinch to make. Simply fill a tall glass with ice. Add tequila and lime juice. Top with ginger beer and mix. In a matter of minutes you’re sipping down smooth and easy.
For spritzy mocktails with the same gingery bite–keep the lime, skip the tequila. Also delicious!
Click here to PIN this bubbly ginger beer Mexican mule cocktail!
The original drinking mule is the Moscow mule–ginger beer mixed with vodka and lime. If you switch in bourbon, it’s a Kentucky mule.
A 4-pack of ginger beer in the fridge led to a lightbulb moment. Hey, how about we make a cocktail with the ginger beer, a shot of 100% agave tequila, and fresh-squeezed lime juice? You know, a riff on the Moscow mule. Thus, this bubbly Mexican mule cocktail!
In our house, tequila is the liquor of choice–100% agave, savored straight up and slowly sipped. Some weekends, I’ll mix up a rosy hibiscus margarita, and when mint is abundant, a muddled-mint tequila mojito. These days it’s a Mexican mule please.
Trivia—Some say ginger beer’s fermented ginger flavor kick is how these liquid mules got their name.
FAQ about ginger beer and tequila:
Ginger beer is a non-alcoholic beverage with strong spicy aromatic flavor. It’s made with fresh ginger, water and sugar, mixed and set aside to ferment, then carbonated and bottled.
No, ginger ale is simply ginger-flavored soda water and lacks the spicy bite fermented ginger beer holds. Both drinks are carbonated, non-alcoholic and boast ginger flavor. Ginger beer’s stronger flavor means the ginger is immediately more noticeable in a beverage.
Reed’s Ginger Beer is a not only delicious on a hot summer day, it makes a good a mule cocktail. It’s sold in 3 different spice levels–Original, Extra, and Strongest, and all have good ginger kick.
Fever Tree Ginger Beer is not too sweet with a deep, long-lasting ginger character.
Q Mixer ginger beer is another good option. They even added chili peppers to the mix and suggest it as a mixer only–not just as a drink.
** I tried Trader Joe’s ginger beer but imho it was too sweet and not fizzy enough to give a proper Mexican mule kick.
Reposado tequila is aged for 2 to 6 months, usually in American whiskey barrels. “Aged” reposados showcase the subtleties of wood, and maintain some agave brightness that stands up to a range of flavors, like spicy ginger beer. Añejo tequila, on the other hand, spends up to 3 years aging and is best for sipping.
If you want to get adventurous, make your own homemade ginger beer!
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Mexican Mule Cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 to 3 tablespoons reposado tequila one shot
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
- 2/3 cup spicy ginger beer
Instructions
- Fill a tall glass with ice. Add tequila and lime juice. Top with ginger beer. Stir to mix. Garnish with lime wedge.
Nutrition
This in an update of the Mexican mule cocktail published back in the summer of 2017. Enjoy it again!
you mentioned all my favorite drinks! the mexican mule is DELICIOSO! · 21 July, 2017
Thanks Tricia! Let’s have a toast together! soon? · 21 July, 2017
A mule goes global with tequila. I’m sure your local brew is great, but have you ever tried making your own ginger beer? I did and I was less than thrilled with the results. But it was a long time ago – I may do better if I tried again. GREG · 26 July, 2017
We should make some together one day to give it a try. · 29 July, 2017
Absolutely my favorite new drink!! · 1 August, 2019
Thank you Ruth. Cheers! · 1 August, 2019
ummmm…YUM!
Please put in my order for the second week of November. I will be ready and waiting at your camp site! · 8 August, 2022
Wait. I thought you didn’t drink any more. 😄 We can have them cocktail and mocktail, depending on situation. · 13 August, 2022
Made this with Owen’s ginger beer. DELICIOUS!!! · 23 November, 2022
Wow and you’ve made me thirsty! Thank you! · 26 November, 2022
I would add (well, I do) a squirt of agave syrup and orange liquor like a regular marg and then just substitute ginger beer for the simple syrup. · 9 March, 2023
Thank you Jim. I love your trick–a regular margarita, just subbing ginger beer for the simple syrup. I think your version will be stronger than my Mexican Mule, which calls for a ratio of 2/3 cup ginger beer to 3 tablespoons of tequila ;-). My Hibiscus Margarita calls for 2 tablespoons syrup, 1 tablespoon orange liqueur, 2 tablespoons lime juice,
and 3 to 4 tablespoons tequila. Strong alcohol for sure. · 13 March, 2023