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Home » Recipes » Cocktails

Kentucky Mule

Published: Jan 3, 2023 by Lexi

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Our Kentucky Mule swaps out vodka for bourbon to put a classic twist on a Moscow mule. Served in a copper mug with lime juice, ginger beer, and a sprig of mint, this cocktail is well-balanced and super refreshing.

Front view of kentucky mule with lime and mint garnish.
With bourbon instead of vodka, this Kentucky mule is a twist on a classic.

If you're a bourbon fan, this Kentucky Mule is a great way to enjoy more bourbon!

We added a splash of orange juice for a bit more zing (along with freshly squeezed lime juice) and then topped it off with some bubbly ginger beer.

This cocktail is a bit sweet, a bit sour, and has a bit of a spiced flavor, thanks to the bourbon and ginger beer. It's perfectly balanced and super easy to make!

Jump to:
  • Why We Love This Recipe
  • Ingredients
  • Ingredient Notes
  • How to Make a Kentucky Mule
  • Variations
  • Expert Tips and FAQs
  • More Cocktail Recipes to Enjoy
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Reviews

Why We Love This Recipe

  • Bourbon-forward: Bourbon doesn't always get a chance to shine in cocktails, but this cocktail definitely bucks the trend, with a strong bourbon-forward flavor. Speaking of bucks, this cocktail is classified as a buck, which are cocktails that contain ginger ale or ginger beer.
  • Easy to make: Just add everything to a cocktail shaker, shake, pour, and top with ginger beer.
  • Fun spin on a classic: We're huge fans of mules, like this Tequila Mule or our Cranberry Moscow Mule, and this Kentucky mule is another spin on a classic Moscow mule.

Ingredients

Here's what you'll need to make a Kentucky Mule:

Overhead view of kentucky mule ingredients.
This Kentucky mule recipe only requires five ingredients!

Ingredient Notes

  • Which type of bourbon to use: To qualify as bourbon, a whiskey must contain at least 51% corn in its mash and be aged in charred oak barrels. We'd recommend using a mid-range bourbon like Maker's Mark, Michter's, or Four Roses. These will offer the best blend of taste and value, and are all $50 or under for a bottle. You could also use regular whiskey in a pinch, but it won't quite be a Kentucky mule.
  • Ginger beer: We recommend using a lower sugar ginger beer if you can find it, since we opt to add a bit of orange juice and simple syrup to our cocktail, which adds more sweetness. The higher quality ginger beer, the better in this cocktail. We personally love Gosling's.
  • Lime juice: This helps to provide that classic mule flavor, so we strongly recommend squeezing your limes fresh. We promise it's worth the effort!
  • Orange juice: This is technically optional, but we just love bourbon and orange together. Freshly squeezed is always best, but good quality store bought is fine too. If you don't want to use it, swap with more lime juice.
  • Simple syrup: Store bought or homemade is fine – it's just equal parts sugar and water heated in a saucepan until the sugar dissolves! You can also sub with agave or even maple syrup.

How to Make a Kentucky Mule

(1) Add bourbon, lime juice, simple syrup, and orange juice to a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice.

(2) Shake well and strain into a copper mug filled with ice.

On the left: adding bourbon to cocktail shaker. On the right: adding the rest of the ingredients.
Add everything to your shaker and pour over ice.

(3) Top with ginger beer.

(4) Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint and a lime wedge. 

On the left: topping with sparkling water. On the right: finished cocktail in a copper mug.
Top with ginger beer and garnish with lime and mint!

Variations

  • To simplify this already easy-to-make Kentucky Mule even further, you can leave out the orange juice and simple syrup and just pour the bourbon, lime juice, and ginger beer into a chilled copper mug.
  • Swap the bourbon for tequila to create a Tequila/Mexican Mule.
  • Use rum instead of bourbon for a Dark and Stormy-inspired cocktail.
  • How to make Kentucky mules for a crowd:
    • Multiply the listed quantities in the recipe card (except for the ginger beer) by 5 or six and pour into a pitcher and stir.
    • Chill several copper mugs filled with ice in the fridge/freezer.
    • When ready to serve, stir well, pour from pitcher into mugs and top with ginger beer.

Expert Tips and FAQs

  • Copper mug: A copper mug is the traditional flourish for a Mule, but it also helps to keep the drink super cold, making it even more refreshing.
  • Garnishes: This Kentucky Mule looks fantastic served with a sprig of mint and a slice of lime.
  • Don't shake or stir the ginger beer: To preserve the carbonation in the ginger beer, be sure to pour it out last, over the other ingredients.
  • Freshly squeeze your juices: If you can, opt for freshly squeezed lime and orange juices for maximum flavor.
  • Use a bourbon priced somewhere in the middle, which will offer the best blend of value and flavor.
How do you make simple syrup?

Combine equal parts water and granulated sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. (We usually use ½ cup of each for a small batch). Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool before using. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for several weeks.

How do you clean copper mugs?

Copper tarnishes pretty easily, so be sure to wash your mugs in soapy, warm water right after using. Rinse well, then dry completely. Any leftover water spots may cause oxidation and tarnishing.

Overhead view of kentucky mule with lime and mint garnish.
Garnish your Kentucky Mule with mint and lime to impress your guests.

More Cocktail Recipes to Enjoy

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    Cranberry Moscow Mule
  • close up side view of berry basil moscow mules garnished with basil and raspberries on wood table.
    Berry Basil Moscow Mules
  • watermelon moscow mule with mint
    Watermelon Cucumber Moscow Mule
  • side view of pomegranate moscow mule in copper cocktail glass on wood table.
    Pomegranate Moscow Mule

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Front view of kentucky mule with lime and mint garnish.

Kentucky Mule


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  • Author: Lexi
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 1 cocktail
  • Diet: Vegan
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Description

Our Kentucky Mule swaps out vodka for bourbon to put a classic twist on a Moscow mule. Served in a copper mug with lime juice, ginger beer, and a sprig of mint, this cocktail is well-balanced and super refreshing.


Ingredients

  • 2 fl ounces bourbon 
  • ¾ fl ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
  • ½ fl ounce simple syrup
  • ½ fl ounce orange juice
  • 4-6 fl ounce ginger beer
  • Mint and lime slices to garnish


Instructions

  1. Add bourbon, lime juice, simple syrup, and orange juice to a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice.
  2. Shake well and strain into a copper mug filled with ice.
  3. Top with ginger beer.
  4. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint and a lime wedge. 

Notes

Don't shake or stir the ginger beer: To preserve the carbonation in the ginger beer, be sure to pour it out last, over the other ingredients.

Freshly squeeze your juices: If you can, opt for freshly squeezed lime and orange juices for maximum flavor.

Use a bourbon priced somewhere in the middle, which will offer the best blend of value and flavor.

Copper mug: A copper mug is the traditional flourish for a Mule, but it also helps to keep the drink super cold, making it even more refreshing.

  • Prep Time: 0 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Category: Cocktails
  • Method: Shaker
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cocktail
  • Calories: 274
  • Sugar: 32.9 g
  • Sodium: 20.5 mg
  • Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 34.6 g
  • Fiber: 0.2 g
  • Protein: 0.2 g

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Tag @crowded_kitchen on Instagram and hashtag it #crowdedkitchen

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Lexi and Beth toasting with wine.

Hi, we're Lexi and Beth, a mother-daughter team from Michigan. The recipes you'll find here are a reflection of how we bring our family together around the dinner table despite various dietary differences.

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