Kentucky Mule Cocktail Recipe
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A southern twist on the classic Moscow Mule recipe, a Kentucky Mule swaps out vodka for bourbon to give the drink a warm, earthy feel. It’s made in minutes with just three ingredients – bourbon, lime, and ginger beer – and served over lots of ice in a copper mule mug.
The result is a bold yet refreshing bourbon mule that balances the rich, caramel notes of bourbon with the bright citrus and the fizzy spice of ginger beer. It’s a simple drink with a big personality – perfect for both bourbon lovers and those new to whiskey-based cocktails.
One of the easiest cocktails to make, uses simple ingredients easily found in your grocery store, and doesn’t require any fancy equipment. Not even a cocktail shaker!
The spicy ginger beer adds a crisp edge that makes it incredibly easy to drink, while the bourbon brings depth and warmth. It’s a great choice for a bourbon lover who wants something a little more exciting than your average whiskey soda but not as heavy as a classic Old Fashioned.
Ingredients
Because a Kentucky Mule cocktail only has a few ingredients, each of those ingredient is important to the success of your drink.
- Bourbon – Choose your favorite bourbon for this cocktail. (I highly recommend trying it with peach infused bourbon.) Not sure what bourbon to choose? More on that below.
- Lime – Fresh limes are essential here, so don’t skip them for bottled lime juice. You’ll need about half a lime per cocktail.
- Ginger Beer – Use your favorite ginger beer for this mule. I love the strong flavor of Goslings brand. You can swap this out for ginger ale if you prefer a lighter ginger taste.
- Fresh Mint – Used for garnish in this cocktail, mint and bourbon are a delicious pairing (hello, mint juleps!) so I love including fresh mint leaves in this drink. A large sprig of mint garnishing this cocktail adds so much to your overall cocktail experience.
How to Make a Bourbon Mule (Step by Step)
Ice is an ingredient in this drink, so fill a copper mug or rocks glass to the top with ice cubes.
Measure your bourbon and lime juice to get the right balance in your drink.
Kentucky Mule Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 0.5 ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed
- 4 ounces ginger beer
- Fresh mint, garnish
- Lime wedges, garnish
Instructions
- Fill a copper mug or rocks glass with ice cubes.
- Add bourbon and lime juice.2 ounces bourbon, 0.5 ounce lime juice
- Top with ginger beer.4 ounces ginger beer
- Stir gently.
- Garnish with a lime wedge and a large mint sprig.Fresh mint, Lime wedges
- Sip and enjoy!
Equipment
What Kind of Bourbon Should I Use?
When you’re trying a new recipe, I always recommend starting with your favorite brand of spirit (in this case bourbon) before spending money on something new. You are diluting the bourbon with a lot of ginger beer in this recipe, so it’s perfectly ok to not go with something more expensive, like Woodford Reserve. If you’re new to bourbon, choose a mid-priced Kentucky bourbon like Maker’s Mark, Buffalo Trace, or Four Roses.
Don’t Miss These Moscow Mule Variations
A classic Moscow mule is made with vodka and ginger beer and is endlessly customizable. I love a good riff on a classic cocktail, so I have recipes for a Peach Moscow mule, Strawberry Moscow Mule, and Apple Moscow Mule. Or mix up a Non-Alcoholic Moscow Mule for those who aren’t having liquor.
Happy Hour Snack Pairings
I love to serve light and easy bar snacks with this mule cocktail. Try my savory, slow cooker spiced nuts or barbecue seasoned oyster crackers.
Looking for More Bourbon Cocktail Recipes?
Bourbon is a delicious spirit that’s for more than just Old Fashioned cocktails. Shake up a Ginger Bourbon Sour egg white cocktail, make a fizzy Ginger Bourbon cocktail, try a Blackberry Mint Julep or a Brown Derby cocktail with fresh grapefruit juice.
