A tequila Moscow Mule is a classic Moscow Mule made with tequila instead of vodka. Just three ingredients: tequila blanco, fresh lime juice, and cold spicy ginger beer. This is one of my favorite drinks to make when I want something quick, refreshing, and only three ingredients. The tequila brings a bright, earthy character to the mule format that vodka just can’t. If you like margaritas and you like Moscow Mules, you’ll love the middle ground here.
About this recipe
A tequila Moscow Mule (also called a Mexican Mule) swaps the vodka in a classic Moscow Mule for tequila blanco. The lime juice and ginger beer stay the same. The result is a mule with a deeper flavor than the vodka original, because tequila brings its own flavor to the drink.
Copper mugs are traditional and they do actually make a difference. They keep the drink icy cold, and the metal picks up the lime aroma so every sip smells brighter. If you don’t have a copper mug, a highball glass works perfectly well.
A peek at some of the key ingredients
- Tequila blanco. Also called silver or white tequila.
- Fresh lime juice. Always fresh, never bottled.
- Ginger beer. Ginger beer is not ginger ale, it’s much spicier and has actual ginger heat. Spend a couple of dollars extra on a proper spicy ginger beer (Fever-Tree, Bundaberg, and Fentimans are all great) and the whole drink lifts. If your ginger beer is very sweet, you might want to add an extra squeeze of lime.
- Ice. Big ice cubes melt slower and dilute the drink less.
Method
- Fill a copper mug or a tall highball glass with ice.
- Add the tequila and lime juice.
- Top with the cold ginger beer, stirring gently just to combine so you don’t kill the bubbles.
- Garnish with a lime wedge and a few fresh mint leaves. Serve immediately.
Tips
To make a pitcher
To make a pitcher for four people, multiply the tequila and lime juice by four and add both to a pitcher with plenty of ice. Top with around 16 oz (500ml) of ginger beer just before serving. Stir gently, garnish with lime wedges and fresh mint, and pour into copper mugs or highball glasses filled with fresh ice.
Add the ginger beer last so it stays fizzy.
More tequila and ginger beer cocktails
- Spicy Mule – a spicy vodka mule with jalapeño-infused vodka
- Mango Chili Margarita – a sweet and spicy margarita with muddled green chili
- Kiwi Cucumber Margarita – a fresh, green margarita with muddled kiwi and cucumber
- Pineapple Coconut Margarita – a tropical margarita with cream of coconut
- Tequila Sour – a smooth, foamy tequila sour with egg white
- Tequila Piña Colada – a tequila version of the classic piña colada
Tequila Moscow Mule
Ingredients
- 2 oz tequila blanco
- 0.5 oz lime juice fresh
- 4 oz ginger beer cold
- Fresh lime wedges
- Fresh mint leaves
- Ice
Instructions
- Fill a copper mug or highball glass with ice.
- Add tequila and lime juice.
- Top with ginger beer, stirring gently to combine.
- Garnish with a fresh lime wedge, mint leaves and serve.
Notes
- Ginger beer: Use a proper spicy ginger beer, not ginger ale. Fever-Tree, Bundaberg, and Fentimans are all great. Chill it well before using.
- Lime: Always fresh. If you want a sharper drink, use 3/4 oz (22ml) instead of 1/2 oz.
- Ice: Big ice cubes melt slower and keep the drink cold without diluting it.
- For a spicier version: Muddle a couple of slices of fresh jalapeño in the bottom of the mug before adding ice.
- For a smoky version: Swap the tequila blanco for mezcal.
- To make a pitcher: Multiply the tequila and lime by four, add to a pitcher with ice. Top with 16 oz (500ml) ginger beer just before serving.
