This refreshing Irish Mule is made with Irish whiskey, lime juice, and ginger beer. It’s a great cocktail for St Patrick’s Day and spring!
If you’re looking to celebrate St Patrick’s Day with a festive cocktail but aren’t up for chugging green beer, try this Irish Mule instead. This cocktail is made with smooth Irish whiskey, spicy ginger beer, and freshly squeezed lime juice. It’s a refreshing twist on the classic Moscow Mule cocktail that’s perfect for whiskey lovers.
What is a Moscow Mule?
A mule cocktail, also known as a “buck,” is a drink made with ginger beer, a spirit, and citrus juice. The original Moscow Mule is the most well-known of the mules. The drink originated in the 1940s as part of a marketing campaign for Smirnoff vodka.1 This same campaign is also responsible for the copper mule mugs that mules are typically served in. Mule drinks have remained popular since the 1940s and many mule variations exist.
Different spirits change the name of the cocktail, for example, a Jamaican Mule contains spiced rum, a Mexican Mule has tequila, and the Kentucky Mule uses bourbon. There are mule variations for every spirit! There are also names for specific brands of spirits, like the Jameson Mule which must contain Jameson Irish Whiskey. The Irish Mule, also called the Irish Buck or Dublin Mule, is made with any brand of Irish whiskey and is perfect for St Patrick’s Day.
Ingredients for an Irish Mule
- Irish Whiskey – The addition of Irish whiskey makes this cocktail perfect for St Patrick’s Day. There are several regulations about what constitutes an Irish whiskey. For example, a true Irish whiskey must be distilled and aged in Ireland. Some popular Irish whiskey brands are Jameson, Bushmills, Teeling, and Redbreast. You may also use an Irish-American whiskey, like Four Walls and Keeper’s Heart. These do not meet the requirements of a true Irish whiskey. However, they are still delicious!
- Ginger Beer – This spicy, carbonated beverage has a stronger kick than ginger ale. Its strong ginger flavor makes it perfect for cocktails. Some ginger beer is alcoholic, but most is non-alcoholic. Fever Tree is a great non-alcoholic brand for ginger beer.
- Lime Juice – Add a little citrus to balance the flavors of the cocktail with fresh lime juice.
- Mint Leaves – A sprig of fresh mint is the perfect garnish for the strong ginger flavors and scent of the drink.
How to Make an Irish Mule
This Irish Mule recipe is the perfect cocktail for a cozy evening at home or a Saint Patrick’s Day party. It’s a delicious Irish twist on a classic cocktail.
Step One – Fill a glass with ice. Pour in 1.5 ounces of Irish whiskey, and half an ounce of lime juice. Then top with ginger beer.
Step Two – Give the cocktail a gentle stir to combine the ingredients evenly throughout the drink.
Step Three – Garnish with a lime wedge, or lime wheel, and a fresh sprig of mint.
What Type of Glass Do I Use?
- Copper Mug – Mules are traditionally served in copper mugs. This started in the 1940s with the creation of the drink. The copper cup is iconic for mule lovers.
- High Ball Glass – If you don’t have copper mugs, then serve an Irish Mule in a high ball glass instead. High-ball glasses have about the same volume as the copper mug.
Can I Batch This Cocktail?
Yes! This Irish Mule cocktail recipe works great as a batched cocktail for larger groups. Multiply the ingredients by your number of guests. For example, 8 servings require 12 ounces of whiskey, 4 ounces of lime juice, and about 32 ounces of ginger beer.
First, combine the Irish Whiskey and lime juice in a large pitcher. Stir in the ginger beer just before serving. This ensures that the ginger beer is still well-carbonated when you serve your guests.
If you love mule cocktails, or ginger beer cocktails in general, you’ll love this Irish Whiskey Mule. It’s a fun drink to enjoy every March 17th!
More Fun Cocktail Recipes for St. Patrick’s Day
- “What’s the Story Behind the Moscow Mule and that Copper Mug?”. Paykoc Imports. ↩︎
Irish Mule
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz Irish whiskey
- 1/2 oz lime juice
- 4 oz ginger beer
Instructions
- Fill a glass with ice. Pour in 1.5 ounces of Irish whiskey, and 1/2 ounce of lime juice. Top with ginger beer.
- Give the cocktail a gentle stir to combine the ingredients.
- Garnish with a lime wheel and fresh mint.
