This simple Spicy Mule recipe is the perfect way to get your party started! Vodka, ginger beer, lime juice, and a dash of jalapeno make this cocktail a must-have for hosting your friends over a casual dinner.
Prep time: 1 minute
Mixing time: 1 minute
Servings: 1
Calories: 276
Ingredients
- 2 oz Vodka
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- ½ oz Triple Sec
- 4 oz ginger beer - to top up
- 2 slices of Jalapeño
- Ice cubes
- Lime slice and/or jalapeño slice - for garnish, optional
Equipment
- Copper Mug or Highball Glass
- Measuring Jigger
- Cocktail Shaker
- Muddler
- Cocktail Strainer
- Fine strainer
Instructions
- Add Jalapeno: Place 2 slices of Jalapeño in the shaker. Gently muddle it to extract the flavor.
- Add Lime Juice: Measure and pour 1 oz fresh lime juice into the shaker.
- Add Triple Sec: Add ½ oz Triple Sec into the shaker.
- Add Vodka: Pour 2 oz Vodka.
- Shake: Fill the shaker with ice, cap it, and shake vigorously (10 - 15 seconds).
- Prepare the glass and strain: Fill your copper mug or highball glass with ice. Using both the cocktail strainer and the fine strainer, strain the drink over the ice.
- Add Ginger Beer: Fill the glass with 4 oz ginger beer.
- Stir Gently: Use a bar spoon to stir the ingredients gently.
- Garnish: Place a lime slice and/or jalapeño slice into the glass for garnish.
Notes
Substitutes:
- Vodka: If you don't have vodka, you can use tequila for a Mexican twist on this cocktail, also known as a "Mexican Mule." You could also use bourbon for a "Kentucky Mule", or even rum for a “Jamaïcan Mule”.
- Ginger Beer: If you're not fond of ginger beer's spiciness, you can substitute it with ginger ale. It's sweeter and less spicy but still gives that ginger flavor. In that case, you may want to reduce or ditch the Triple Sec in order to balance the sweetness of the drink.
- Jalapeno: If you want less heat, use only one slice of jalapeño or replace it with a few dashes of Tabasco (a little less than the amount you can normally handle considering that ginger beer is also spicy!). You can also use cucumber slices instead of jalapeno for a refreshing twist.
Making a Pitcher of Spicy Mule:
- Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 16 oz of vodka, 32 oz of ginger beer, 4 oz of fresh lime juice and 16 thin slices of jalapeño.
- Prepare: In a bowl, combine the lime juice and the jalapeño slices. Gently muddle it to extract the flavor. Filter and transfer the liquid to a large pitcher.
- Mix: in the pitcher, add vodka, lime juice, and Triple Sec. Stir well.
- Serve: Pour the mixture into ice-filled copper mugs or highball glasses. Top-up with ginger beer, gently stir to combine and garnish with a lime slice and/or a jalapeño slice. Serve immediately.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Vodka Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic vodka substitute. If you can’t find it, you can also use apple juice or just ditch the vodka altogether.
- Triple Sec substitute: some sugar syrup (cane or white) will perfectly do the trick! You can also experiment with orange syrup (you can easily make it at home from the peels, for example) or lime cordial (either store-bought or homemade).
- Ginger Beer Substitute: Despite its name, ginger beer doesn’t actually contain any alcohol! For that reason, you can also use it to make a non-alcoholic version of this drink.
- Proceed As Usual: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes instead of the regular ingredients, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.
Making it Vegan:
This cocktail is already vegan-friendly as it doesn't contain any animal products. Make sure to use a vegan-friendly ginger beer brand, as some brands may use honey as a sweetener.What is a Spicy Mule?
A Spicy Mule is a vodka-based cocktail made of vodka, ginger beer, lime juice, Triple Sec, and jalapeno. This drink is relatively easy to make as it only requires mixing the ingredients in a glass filled with ice. It’s a variant of the well-known Moscow Mule but with an added kick from the jalapeno. The spiciness can be adjusted according to personal preference by adding more or less jalapeno. Just like the traditional Moscow Mule, the Spicy Mule is often served in a copper mug.
What is a Spicy Mule made of – The ingredients
To mix up a Spicy Mule, get your hands on these ingredients:
- Vodka: The primary alcohol base, vodka provides the Spicy Mule with its characteristic kick.
- Ginger Beer: This non-alcoholic beverage adds a spicy and sweet flavor to the cocktail, complementing the vodka.
- Lime Juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice brings a tangy acidity, balancing out the sweetness of the ginger beer.
- Jalapeno Peppers: These peppers infuse the drink with a fiery heat, giving the Spicy Mule its name.
