Mexican Mule

Smooth and balanced, this Mexican Mule recipe is a tasty tequila cocktail to make for any gathering. Made with simple ingredients, this mixed drink is a twist on a classic Moscow Mule because it calls for blue agave tequila. Makes 1 drink.

Oh, hey. We’re still celebrating the YEAR OF THE (Moscow) MULE around these parts… and I’m serving up a tasty twist today in preparation for the month of May.

Why?

Well, May marks Cinco de Mayo, and since I already have a margarita (and a nonalcoholic mockarita) recipe for y’all to mix at home, I wanted to offer you another tequila drink.

And there’s such a thing as a Mexican Mule.

Basically, it’s the same rendition of a Moscow Mule, but with tequila instead of vodka.

While you get tequila on the nose when you take a sniff, this cocktail is incredibly smooth and easy to drink. It doesn’t have the usual “burn” you might associate with some tequila drinks, and it’s really, really pleasant.

Other Moscow Mule recipes: Classic Moscow Mule | Raspberry Moscow Mule | Blood Orange Mocktail Mule | Irish Mule | Kentucky Mule | Gin Gin Mule

Looking for some more Cinco de Mayo recipes? Check out my Cinco de Mayo recipe index.

What you’ll need to make a Mexican Mule

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• Copper mugs
• Citrus juicer or a citrus reamer
• Mini Stainless Steel Angled Measuring Cup

How to make a Tequila Moscow Mule

Place ice into a copper mug (or a cocktail glass of your choosing).

Measure out the tequila and ginger beer with a measuring cup or a jigger. Squeeze in the lime juice, and stir with a cocktail spoon.

Serve and enjoy immediately.

A note on choosing your tequila for this mixed drink: We used 100% blue agave tequila. Do yourself a favor and get a noteworthy brand, and don’t purchase the bottom shelf stuff. You’re doing this drink and yourself a disservice when you do that.

Erin’s Easy Entertaining Tips

Moscow Mules are a perfect party drink to have in your arsenal of cocktails because they require few ingredients. They’re also quite easy to prep.

If you’re hosting friends for a Cinco de Mayo celebration or even just celebrating at home, you can easily make a Mule Bar or even provide this recipe (you can print it below!) for guests to each mix their own drink.

All you have to have is ginger beer, limes (or freshly squeeze lime juice—you can sometimes find this in the freshly sliced fruit section of the store!) and tequila.

Here are a few things to do to make it easier:

• One to two hours before the party, squeeze the limes and get that lime juice ready. I don’t recommend using jarred lime juice because it isn’t nearly as fresh. However, freshly squeezed lime juice from the store is an awesome hack if you can find it. Keep in mind that if you squeeze the limes earlier that the juice will become more potent.
• Quarter the limes in advance, too. Keep ‘em in a food storage container in the fridge for up to a few days before your gathering.
• Set out measuring tools for your guests (or yourself) on the Mule Bar.
• Print out the ingredients and measurements, and put them in a frame or in a place on the bar where spilled ingredients won’t bother it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes this Moscow Mule Mexican?

Vodka is the traditional booze of choice in a classic Moscow Mule. We’re using tequila, a Mexican distilled alcohol, instead of vodka.

What type of tequila should I use in this mixed drink?

Well, you shouldn’t use the tequila you’d find on the bottom shelf. Since this cocktail is a mixture of ginger beer, lime juice and tequila, the tequila needs to be good enough to stand and sing on its own.

Personally, a joven/silver tequila is perfectly acceptable here. Just make sure that it’s marked 100% blue agave because if it is not, it’s a blend.

Is there a specific brand of tequila I should use?

Nope. You can use whatever brand you’ve got on hand, assuming it’s tasty enough.

We are partial to Casa Dragones at our house these days, but we used a Sauza tequila to make this particular mule, and it was utterly delicious.

Can I make this into a pitcher drink?

Absolutely! To make a pitcher to serve six, combine 24 oz. ginger beer, 9 oz. tequila and 3 oz. lime juice in a pitcher with ice. Pour over ice to serve and garnish with limes and mint.

What is the best brand of ginger beer?

Our family really likes Sprouts’ brand ginger beer. We also really dig the spiciness Fever Tree, too. However, please note that it could be overwhelming for some.

Is ginger beer alcoholic?

Look at the label of your ginger beer, but generally speaking, it is not considered alcoholic. That said, there are trace amounts of alcohol in ginger beer due to how it’s brewed, but the levels are similar to that of kombucha.

Quick tips for making a Mexican Mule

• If making a batch of mules, prep your ingredients before you start mixing ‘em.
• Turn it into a pitcher drink! Quadruple the recipe (or multiply it by six) to turn this festive mule into a Mexican Mule Pitcher.
• Don’t skimp on the lime juice or ginger beer. The combination of them with the tequila is so beautifully balanced!