Mexican Mule – A Tequila Moscow Mule Cocktail

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This Mexican Mule Cocktail is a Mexican-inspired twist on the classic Moscow Mule cocktail, with reposado tequila instead of vodka. Add fresh lime juice, spicy ginger beer, or milder ginger ale for a refreshing and delicious tequila cocktail.

What is a Mexican Mule? Whether you call it a Mexican Mule or a Tequila cocktail, this cocktail recipe produces a bold, zippy, refreshing tequila cocktail flavored with freshly squeezed lime juice and ginger beer. 

I sometimes have difficulty finding ginger beer in my local grocery stores, so when I have to, I’ll substitute it with ginger ale. Ginger ale isn’t typically used but has a nice ginger flavor, and you can skip the simple syrup if you want to because ginger ale is already sweet.

Whichever way you make this Mexican Mule, it’s a refreshing cocktail, with a bright lime and ginger flavor – perfect for late summer evenings outdoors or a dinner party.

Mexican Mule vs Moscow Mule

So what’s the difference between a traditional Moscow Mule and a Mexican Mule? The difference is in the alcohol used. 

A Moscow mule is made with vodka, ginger beer, and lime and served in a copper mug. A Mexican mule is a spin on a Moscow mule, using Tequila in place of vodka. 

For my Mexican Mule recipe, I also use ginger ale instead of ginger beer when I can’t find ginger beer.

Ingredients

Read more below about Mexican mule ingredients. See recipe card for exact amount.

• Tequila – This is the most important ingredient for this drink so use a Tequila you like to drink. And use a Tequila Reposado – tequila aged in oak barrels. Tequila Reposado is gold/amber in color, not clear. My favorite is Jose Cuervo, it’s what I choose whether I’m at home in Canada during the summer or in Mexico during the winter. In a pinch, substitute with silver tequila.
• Simple Syrup – Simple syrup is a heated blend of sugar and water used primarily in cocktails to avoid grainy sugar textures. It takes only 5-10 minutes to make and all you need is sugar (and water). Follow my easy Simple Syrup recipe or use a store-bought simple syrup.  NOTE: You might find that this cocktail is sweet enough for you when using ginger ale, which is sweet already, so in that case omit the simple syrup. If you’re using ginger beer, which is less sweet, you’ll probably want to use the simple syrup. It just depends on if you like a sweet cocktail or not.
• Lime Juice – I use the little bottle of lime juice in my avocado toast every morning, but here is where I’ll say you should try to use fresh lime if you can. Freshly squeezed lime juice will have a zippier, fresher taste, and I can notice the difference. Using fresh limes also means you can garnish the drink with a lime wedge or lime slice.
• Ice – Use a bunch, this is a refreshing drink and should be very cold.
• Ginger Beer – Ginger beer is a non-alcoholic, carbonated drink with a spicy ginger flavor. If you can’t find it, substitute it with ginger ale and skip the simple syrup.

Instructions

Follow these easy instructions to make a Mexican Mule with step-by-step photos.

This cocktail recipe is really easy to make and it’s meant to be bubbly so there’s no need for a cocktail shaker – bonus!

Step 1. Choose your favorite short cocktail glass and add the tequila, freshly squeezed lime juice and the simply syrup, if using. Give it all a gentle stir.

Step 2. Fill the glass with ice.

Step 3. Top with ginger beer or ginger ale.

Step 4. Garnish with a twist of lime, or a wedge of lime

RECIPE TIP: To make a twist of lime, cut a slice of lime and then cut through one side just to the middle, not all of the way through. Take each cut side and twist in opposite directions. Place the lime on top of the ice in the glass.

Tips for making a Mexican Moscow mule

• Use ginger beer instead of ginger ale if you can find it.
• Make it a spicy Mexican mule by adding fresh jalapeño slices, or use a spicy simple syrup like my jalapeño simple syrup recipe.
• Try adding fresh mint to garnish like the original Moscow mule.

Equipment

I was living in Mexico when I took these photos, but my favorite cocktail glasses are my blue Mexican blown glass cocktail glasses. I also use a shot glass that I got in Mexico, any shot glass will do.

Moscow Mule Variations

Into mule cocktails? Try different variations like a Christmas Mule with candied cranberries and rosemary, or a Kentucky Mule with Kentucky bourbon, or a London mule with gin next.

If you love refreshing summery drinks, try a strawberry lemonade vodka cocktail with fresh strawberries and pink lemonade, or a Thai-inspired Vodka cocktail with Thai basil and lime leaves.