If you haven’t heard of the Moscow Mule by now, you’ve been missing out! This classic cocktail has recently come back into vogue, and is taking the cocktail world by storm! The Moscow Mule, for those that may not know, is a cocktail traditionally served in a copper mug and made with vodka, lime juice, and ginger beer. It is tangy, spicy, refreshing, and an excellent accompaniment to anyone’s summer.
For those that are not big on vodka or want to try something new, there is still hope for you! There are other spirits that can be used to create this cocktail, which all add a different spin on the classic Moscow Mule. Here is a look at a variety of spirits and their flavor contributions to the mule cocktail.
The London Mule
Gin is a spirit with roots in the United Kingdom, hence the name London Mule. While the origins of this spirit lie abroad, we like to represent our hometown spirits from time to time, and Ballast Point Brewing and Spirits has two gin varieties that make for an excellent London Mule.
One is their Old Grove Gin, which is juniper-forward with hints of rose petals and coriander. These flavors, paired with ginger and lime, create a huge burst of flavor that is difficult to recreate with any other spirit. Try Ballast Point’s Barrel Rested Old Grove Gin for a hint of smoky and cinnamon flavor in this mule.
The Kentucky Mule
The next mule is made with – you guessed it – whiskey! Whiskey and ginger are classic partners in the category of mixed drinks, so it follows that a good bourbon or rye whiskey will also work well in a mule.
Kentucky’s own Temptation Bourbon is an excellent choice for the Kentucky Mule. The caramel and vanilla flavors of this bourbon blend seamlessly with the ginger and lime in the mule. For more of an edgy mule, try the Redemption Rye, which will give this mule a spicy, peppery kick.
The Mexican Mule
How did you know that this would be made with Tequila? It could be that, in order to be labeled “tequila,” this spirit must be made in Mexico, particularly the regions of Jalisco, Guanajuato, and Tamaulipas. When vodka is replaced with tequila in a Moscow Mule, the result is a fascinating interplay of flavor between ginger and the flavors that various tequilas have to offer.
Some tequilas, such as the Cazadores Reposado, sport flavors of sweet agave and vanilla, which marry beautifully with the spicy flavor of ginger beer. Others, such as the Herradura Silver, contain herbal and citrus notes, which amplify the lime flavor of the mule, while the ginger beer combines with the citrus of the tequila to set this mule off.
The Moscow Mule
How can we forget the classic? The one that started it all: vodka. But which one to choose? Spud vodka offers three different varieties of potato vodka that each add a unique flavor to your mule.
Aside from their traditional variety of vodka, Spud distills a Ginger Lemongrass Vodka, which is a natural addition to a mule, especially if you want an additional burst of ginger and citrus flavor. For those that just cannot get enough spice in their life, there is Spud’s Red Hot Chili Pepper Vodka, which, when used to make a mule, will combine with the ginger and set your taste buds ablaze!
Now that you have your basic mule variants covered, go and make yourself a fresh one and enjoy summer!
