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    Home » Beverages » Cocktails

    Kentucky Mule

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on June 5, 2023, updated March 17, 2022 - 9 Comments

    Total time: 2 minutes minutes
    4.93 from 13 votes
    Jump to Recipe

    This Kentucky Mule is the best bourbon whiskey version of the classic Moscow Mule cocktail. Made with lime, ginger & bourbon, it's a quick & easy bourbon cocktail that's perfect to make for a crowd. This version has an extra dash of ginger, for that extra kick.

    side view of two kentucky mule cocktails in front of a disco ball

    If you like quick, easy cocktails with a bite you're going to love this Kentucky Mule recipe. This bourbon mule is a refreshing drink that really delivers a punch - especially this version, which has an extra dash of ginger. So next time it's time for a homemade happy hour - make this 2-minute cocktail, and enjoy!

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    Why You Should Make This

    • It's quick with very short prep time
    • It's easy to make - just mix and top with ginger beer
    • Refreshing with a kick from ginger & bourbon
    • An extra kick from ginger shot or ginger juice
    • No fancy bar equipment needed - not even a jigger, muddler or shaker
    • Perfect for a big party - easy to prep ahead for a crowd
    • A must for your Kentucky Derby party! A fun alternative to serve alongside your Mint Juleps.

    What is a Kentucky Mule?

    A Kentucky Mule is basically a Moscow Mule with bourbon. While the classic cocktail Moscow Mule consists of vodka, lime juice & ginger beer, in a Kentucky Mule we swap vodka for bourbon for a delicious twist. The combination of bourbon and ginger beer gives it a nice bite, while still being very refreshing.

    You can also make it with other types of whiskey for a generic "whiskey mule" - basically a whiskey ginger beer cocktail.

    What you need to make it

    All you need to make this Kentucky Mule recipe is:

    • Bourbon (especially a Kentucky Bourbon, like Jim Beam or Maker's Mark) - or another type of whiskey
    • Ginger beer - sweeter or drier, depending on your taste. Can be swapped for ginger ale, but this will make it a lot sweeter.
    • Fresh lime juice - bottled juice will not be enough
    • Ginger shot adds extra spiciniess, but can be skipped
    • Lime slices or wedges for decorating
    • Fresh mint can also be added for decorating

    How to make it

    1. Pour bourbon, lime juice and ginger shot in a glass and stir
    2. Add ice cubes and fill up with ginger beer
    3. Garnish with a wedge of lime, and serve! Either in a traditional copper mug, or in a low glass, as shown here.
    top down view of two kentucky mule cocktails on a wooden chopping board with a straw and lime slices

    How to make it for a crowd

    If you want to make this ahead of time for a party, that's very easy to do. I recommend serving it in a big punch bowl or a pitcher.

    Mix together bourbon, lime juice and ginger shot (this you can do up to 24 hours ahead of time!) in the pitcher or punch bowl. Then, just before serving, add ginger beer. And you are ready to serve!

    Tips & tricks

    • For an extra kick - rub the rim with a slice of ginger
    • Make it non-alcoholic by just skipping the bourbon - the ginger still provides a nice kick
    • Don't have ice? Use cold ingredients instead.

    Variations of this recipe and different kinds of Mules

    This recipe is easy to vary with whatever liquor you have at home. Just replace the bourbon with any of the following:

    • Vodka for a classic Moscow Mule
    • Tequila for a Mexican Mule
    • Irish whisky for an Irish Mule
    • Cachaca for a Brazilian Mule
    • Sangsom (Thai "whiskey", really a rum) for a Thai Mule
    • Brännvin (strong Swedish liqueuer) for a Swedish Mule
    • Or skip the alcohol to make a Teheran Mule

    Or try something else that's lurking in the back of your liqueur cabinet for your own unique twist! Come up with other Moscow Mule variations you love? Let me know in the comments below and I'll include it in the list!

    side view of two kentucky mule cocktails in front of a disco ball

    More quick & easy cocktail recipes

    Love quick, easy, delicious cocktails - like this Kentucky Mule? Then I think you will love these!

    • Aperol Spritz
    • Apple Cider Cocktail with Bourbon
    • Cranberry Champagne Cocktail

    Did you love this recipe? Rate it five stars!
    ...and let me know what you loved about it in the comments.

    Recipe

    side view of two kentucky mules

    Kentucky Mule

    4.93 from 13 votes
    Print Rate
    Course: Cocktails
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 1
    Calories: 146kcal
    Cook time: 2 minutes mins
    Total time: 2 minutes minutes
    Author: Emmeline Kemperyd
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 2 ounces bourbon
    • 1 ounce ginger shot / ginger juice optional
    • ½ lime juiced
    • 4 ounces ginger beer
    • ice cubes optional
    • lime wedge optional
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Pour bourbon, ginger shot and lime juice into a glass and mix. Add in a few ice cubes if desired and top with ginger beer. Decorate with a lime wedge and serve immediately!
      2 ounces bourbon, 1 ounce ginger shot / ginger juice, ½ lime, 4 ounces ginger beer, ice cubes, lime wedge

    Notes

    Ingredient notes & substitutions

    • Bourbon (especially a Kentucky Bourbon, like Jim Beam or Maker's Mark) - or another type of whiskey
    • Ginger beer - sweeter or drier, depending on your taste

    Tips & tricks

    • For an extra kick - rub the rim with a slice of ginger
    • Make it non-alcoholic by just skipping the bourbon - the ginger still provides a nice kick
    • Don't have ice? Use cold ingredients instead

    Nutrition

    Calories: 146kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin C: 5mg

    Nutritional information is approximate and automatically calculated, and should only be viewed as an indication.

    Did you make this? Tag me today!Tag @alwaysusebutter and use the hashtag #alwaysusebutter!

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    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has more than 20 years of experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN  and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, Daily Kos, The Grio, The Asian Parent, and The Feed Feed, among others.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Cyn

      April 27, 2023 at 3:34 am

      4 stars
      Love the Kentucky Mule because Bourbon is the best. I usually go with a old fashion or Manhattan it’s a nice change. I have a question what’s a ginger shot? Also thanks for the other Mules I can’t wait to try it all.

      Reply
      • Emmeline Kemperyd

        April 27, 2023 at 12:46 pm

        Hi Cyn!

        Ginger shot is the same as concentrated ginger juice.

        /Emmeline

        Reply
    2. Elsie S. Stewart

      October 28, 2022 at 6:50 pm

      I tried this recipe and it's really good. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to try the recipe.

      Reply
    3. Kristie

      December 23, 2020 at 8:11 am

      5 stars
      Hello! I wish to say that this post is awesome, great written and comme with approximately all important infos.
      I’d like to look extrda posts like this! 🙂

      Reply
    4. Jacquelyn

      October 04, 2020 at 1:32 pm

      5 stars
      One of my favorites! I can’t get enough of these on Sunday Funday! My girlfriends have been screaming for more.

      Reply
    5. Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry

      October 03, 2020 at 12:28 am

      5 stars
      This sounds delicious - I love the sound of that extra dash of ginger!

      Reply
    6. Renee | The Good Hearted Woman

      October 03, 2020 at 12:20 am

      5 stars
      My husband loves bourbon, and this Mule is perfect for him! So refreshing and delicious!

      Reply
    7. Patty at Spoonabilities

      October 02, 2020 at 11:42 pm

      5 stars
      This truly is a refreshing drink and love that kick from the ginger! So tasty it's hard to limit myself to one 😉

      Reply
    8. Andrea Metlika

      October 02, 2020 at 10:33 pm

      5 stars
      Bourbon fan here. Can't wait to try this cocktail out! It sounds fabulous!

      Reply
    4.93 from 13 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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