Moscow Mule With Whiskey

Moscow Mule With Whiskey

    1. Kentucky Mule 2
    2. Kentucky Mule 3
    3. Kentucky Buck
    4. Summer Kentucky Mule
    5. Tennessee Mule
    6. Irish Buck
    7. Irish Mule
    8. Mamie Taylor 2 Ways
    9. Rye Mule
    10. Canadian Mule
    11. Honey Tennessee Mule
    12. Whiskey Ginger Cocktail




Some of the most asked questions about whiskey include: “is it spelled as ‘whiskey’ or ‘whisky’?; “is bourbon a whiskey? How about scotch?” All of these are true in some way. Actually, there isn’t just one type of whiskey, in fact, there are about nine of them. And the spelling debate can be put to rest as they are both correct, depending on what type of whiskey it is or rather the location that it was made in. 

In other news, the Moscow mule is an iconic and famous cocktail that has grown in different versions in terms of the alcohol used as a replacement of the original one which is vodka. Given that whiskey is one of the most popular alcoholic beverages there is as can be proven by its numerous types, it also has made its way to the iconic drink. 

Go through our full list of 21 amazing Moscow Mule cocktail recipes.

Perhaps the most famous variation of the Moscow Mule with whiskey is what’s called the Kentucky Mule, which is made from bourbon, an American whiskey. The Kentucky Mule is preferred by some people because they may find the vodka less flavorful compared to the boldness and variety of flavors that whiskey offers. But then again, not everyone is the same so you can freely choose which to like more. Aside from this, we will also be providing recipes using the other types of whiskeys and other whiskey mule spinoffs.  

Nutritional Guidelines per Serving

Serving Size: 6 fl. oz. 

Amount per Serving

Calories                                 200

                                              % Daily Value

Total fat 0g                                    0%

    Saturated Fat 0g                        0%

    Trans Fat 0g

Cholesterol 0mg                           0%

Sodium 0mg                                  0%

Total Carbohydrate 16.1 g            5%

     Dietary Fiber 0g                         0%

     Sugars 16g

Protein 0g

Calcium 0mg                                  0%

Iron 0mg                                         0%

Vitamin A 0mg                               0%

Vitamin C 0mg                               0% 

Kentucky Mule Recipe 


Kentucky can say that the Kentucky mule is their pride and joy. It takes bourbon, mixed with a spicy ginger beer and the tang of lime and that becomes an awesome drink. Will it be as good as vodka used in the original mule? Give it a try and decide for yourself. 

Tools Required:

  • Copper Mug - mugs that are copper-plated over tin, stainless steel or nickel that are traditionally used to serve Moscow mules and other variations such as the Kentucky mule. 
  • Jigger - a bar tool that is used to measure liquors, juices and spirits. 
  • Citrus Squeezer - a two-piece tool joined together in a hinge that is used to squeeze the juice of citrus fruits like lemon and lime. 
  • Bar spoon - an elongated spoon, used for stirring cocktails. 

Ingredients:

Steps to Make:

  1. Squeeze the lime using a citrus squeezer and measure it as well as the bourbon with a jigger and pour them into a copper mug.
  2. Fill the copper mug with ice cubes.
  3. Top it off with ginger beer and stir with the bar spoon. 
  4. Lightly slap the sprig of mint against your hand to open up the aroma and garnish it on the drink. 

Recipe Variations

Kentucky Mule 2


You might be wondering what’s different with this recipe. Well, it has a “key” ingredient that makes it more tangy and zesty which is the key lime juice. It makes the drink more alive and somehow vibrant so you have to give this a try if you are a Kentucky mule fan. 

Ingredients:

Steps to Make:

  1. Fill a copper mug with ice cubes. 
  2. Measure the bourbon and key lime juice with a jigger and pour them into the copper mug. 
  3. Squeeze the quarter lime into the mug as well. 
  4. Top it off with ginger beer, give it a quick stir with a bar spoon and garnish with a lime wedge. 

Kentucky Mule 3

Now, what does this version have to offer? It follows the trio of ingredients: bourbon, lime juice and ginger beer but the preparation are what makes it different. The lime is actually muddled along with some mint leaves so not only does it have the smokiness of the bourbon, the tang from the lime and the spiciness of the ginger beer but also the cool menthol feel of the mint. 

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz. Knob Creek Bourbon
  • Goslings Ginger Beer (to top)
  • 3 mint leaves
  • 2 lime wedges
  • Crushed Ice 
  • Sprig of Mint (for garnish)
  • Lime wedge (for garnish)

Steps to Make:

  1. Put the mint leaves and lime wedges in a copper mug. Lightly muddle them with a muddler. 
  2. Measure the bourbon with a jigger and pour it into the copper mug. Then, add crushed ice. 
  3. Top it off with ginger beer and stir with a bar spoon. Garnish it with a lime wedge and a sprig of mint. 

Kentucky Buck 


This lovely concoction features the flavors of a Kentucky mule and added with the delightful sweetness and tartness of the strawberries. This recipe uses lemon juice instead of lime juice because lemon works better with strawberries. 

Ingredients:

Steps to Make:

  1. In a cocktail shaker, put in the strawberries. Measure the bourbon, lemon juice, ginger syrup and simple syrup with a jigger and pour them into the shaker as well. 
  2. Add ice cubes into the shaker, cover it up and shake for about 10 seconds. 
  3. Fill a Collins glass with fresh ice. Double strain the mixture straight into the glass (hawthorne strainer and fine mesh strainer). 
  4. Top it off with ginger beer. Stick a strawberry and ginger candy with a toothpick and garnish the drink with it.   

Summer Kentucky Mule


Summer is fast approaching and what better way to spend it than enjoying a mug of Kentucky mule filled with berries and mint. You may already have your favorite summer drinks but once you get a taste of this concoction, it may land a spot on your list. 

Ingredients:

Steps to Make:

  1. In a shaker tin, put in the raspberries and blackberries. Squeeze the lime in, measure the simple syrup and bourbon with a jigger  and pour them in as well. Lightly muddle these with a muddler. 
  2. Add ice cubes into the shaker. Gently stir the drink with a bar spoon. 
  3. Fill a copper mug with fresh ice. Strain and pour the mixture into the copper mug. Top it off with ginger beer. 
  4. Garnish with a lime wheel and the berries. 

Tennessee Mule


The first mule in the list that uses a different whiskey other than bourbon: the Tennessee mule! When you hear Tennessee whiskey, we bet the first thing that comes to your mind is Jack Daniel’s. Other than the oak, caramel and vanilla flavors that whiskey generally has, Jack Daniel’s has light licorice notes that are not overwhelming but rather complement the other flavors well. 

Ingredients:

Steps to Make:

  1. Put ice cubes in a copper mug.
  2. Measure the whiskey and ginger beer with a jigger and pour them into the copper mug. 
  3. Squeeze the lime wedge straight into the mug. Stir with a bar spoon. 
  4. Garnish with a sprig of mint. 

Irish Buck 


American whiskeys are great but there are also amazing foreign whiskeys that are worth it. Perhaps the next famous whiskey mule next to the Kentucky mule is the Irish mule. Irish whiskeys are made from malted barley and have a smooth, velvety texture and sweet caramel taste. This recipe uses Bushmills Irish whiskey which tastes like a creme brulee but with a spicy and fruity aroma with vanilla notes. 

Ingredients:

Steps to Make: 

  1. Fill a copper mug with ice cubes. 
  2. Measure the Irish whiskey, lime juice and ginger ale with a  jigger and pour them into the copper mug. 
  3. Stir the mixture with a bar spoon. Garnish with a lime wedge and a sprig of mint. 

Irish Mule 


Jameson Irish whiskey is quite a famous brand for making Irish mules. It gives a light floral fragrance, has a spicy wood pepperiness with sweet, nutty and vanilla tones that are excellent on the palate. The best pair for this whiskey is none other than Bundaberg ginger beer.  Also, this recipe calls for muddled ginger so if you want something challenging but still very refreshing, this recipe is the one for you. 

ingredients :

  • 2 small pieces of Ginger
  • 2 oz. Jameson Irish Whiskey
  • Juice of half a lime
  • 6 oz.Bundaberg ginger Beer
  • Ice cubes 
  • Dehydrated lime wheel (for garnish; optional)
  • Sprig of mint (for garnish)

Steps to Make:

  1. In a shaker tin, put in the pieces of ginger and muddle them using a muddler.
  2. Measure the whiskey with a jigger and pour it into the shaker. 
  3. Squeeze the lime into the shaker. Cover and then shake for about 10 seconds. 
  4. Fill a copper mug with ice cubes. Strain and pour the mixture into the copper mug. 
  5. Top it off with the ginger beer. Garnish with the sprig of mint and lime wheel. 

Mamie Taylor 2 Ways

They say that two is better than one and the following recipes are not a stranger to this statement. Mamie Taylor is another delightful cocktail and is not a direct derivation of the Moscow mule nor the Kentucky mule but it is very similar since it uses Scotch whiskey and ginger beer. It’s also not served in a copper mug but in a Collins or highball glass.  You can make a classic Mamie Taylor and the other recipe is a bonus, it uses a Glasgow blend and grapefruit juice. Give these two drinks a try and decide which one is your favorite. 


Ingredients:

Steps to Make:

  1. Fill two highball glasses with ice cubes. Measure the classic whiskey with a jigger and pour it in one glass. Do the same with the Glasgow blend and pour it in the other glass. 
  2. Measure the lime juice and grapefruit juice with a jigger and put the lime in the classic while the grapefruit in the Glasgow blend. 
  3. Top both of the drinks with ginger beer. 
  4. Garnish the classic one with a lime twist and the other with a grapefruit twist. 

Rye Mule


If there is one thing that distinguishes rye from other whiskeys, it is its signature peppery bite that washes the palate every time you take a sip. The brand used for this recipe is Rittenhouse which features a thick, fruity taste with hints of chocolate oranges and the smokiness of cassia bark, nutmeg and oak, it makes one great mule. 

Ingredients:

Steps to Make:

  1. Put ice cubes in a Collins glass. 
  2. Measure the lime juice and rye with a jigger and pour them into the glass. 
  3. Add just a splash of ginger juice if you like and top it off with the ginger beer. 

Canadian Mule

 

Just as Canada and America are neighbors, their whiskeys are not that far off from each other too. Though, Canadian is spelled without the “e”, it still shares the vanilla, fruity and smoky notes of American whiskeys. This recipe uses Collingwood whisky that has a rather buttery or oily mouthfeel. If you want something sweeter, you can swap it out with Crown Royal. 

Ingredients: 

  • 1.5 oz. Collingwood Canadian whisky
  • Juice of half a lime
  • Bundaberg Ginger beer (to top)
  • Lime wedge (for garnish0
  • Ice cubes

Steps to Make: 

  1. Fill a copper mug with ice cubes.
  2. Measure the whisky with a jigger and pour it into the copper mug. 
  3. Squeeze the lime into the mug as well. 
  4. Top it off with ginger beer. Stir with a bar spoon. 
  5. Garnish with a lime wedge. 

Honey Tennessee Mule


Yes, there is already a Tennessee mule in the list but it doesn’t have any honey in it. Try this awesome honey Jack Daniel’s and make it into a honey Tennessee mule. It is somehow the same but sweeter and lighter because of the honey. 

Ingredients:

Steps to Make:

  1. Fill a glass with ice cubes. 
  2. Measure the whiskey with a jigger and pour it into the glass. 
  3. Top it off with about 3 ounces of ginger beer. 
  4. Give it a stir with a bar spoon. Garnish with a lime wheel. 

Whiskey Ginger Cocktail 


Just like the Mamie taylor, the whiskey ginger is a whole other cocktail but is very similar with the Kentucky mule since it also uses Kentucky straight bourbon. But, instead of ginger beer, this recipe calls for a smoky ginger ale that makes the whiskey flavor pop more. You have the option of elevating its look by lighting it on fire but if you want to be safe, you can leave this out and still have a great cocktail. It certainly gives you fall vibes. 

Ingredients:

  • 3 oz. Knob Creek Rye Whiskey 
  • 5 oz. Fever Tree Smoky Ginger Ale
  • Half a lime (for garnish)
  • Ice cubes

Steps to Make:

  1. Fill a rocks glass with ice cubes. 
  2. Measure the whiskey with a jigger and pour it into the glass. 
  3. Top it off with about 5 ounces of ginger ale. Then, stir it with a bar spoon.  
  4. If you want your cocktail in flames, pour a little bit of whiskey on top of the half lime and light it on fire with matches.  

Foods that Pair Well with a Whiskey Mule

Whiskey in general goes great with chocolate, cheese, salmon and more. Most whiskeys have the flavors of vanilla, caramel, honey, and oak that makes it sweet but smoky. Try making these delicious dishes and desserts that have flavors and notes that go really well with the flavor profile of the drink, you’ll definitely take a sip and a bite consecutively. 

Pan-seared Salmon with Lemon Butter Sauce


To keep your stomach occupied while sipping a cold and refreshing Kentucky mule, try this perfectly seared salmon with a delicious and zesty sauce that goes well with the drink’s spiciness. 

Apple Pie


A classic American dessert that is adored by many that also happens to complement the ginger flavor of the drink with its sweet cinnamon apple filling. Since you will be pairing it with a cold drink, you always have the option of whether or not  putting that iconic vanilla ice cream on top. 

Cheese Board


The next time you’re having guests and friends over, serve them with the Kentucky mule along with this ultimate cheese board. Like other alcohols, whiskey is great to have with cheese and you totally have the freedom to choose your favorite cheeses and other finger foods like meat, grapes, biscuits, crackers and more. 

Chocolate Souffle


Whiskey is typically great with chocolate and if you don’t want to nibble on just chocolate, make yourself a treat and Indulge in this decadent and light chocolate souffle. It is super easy to make and it is delightfully good. 

Meatloaf


It’s dinner time, so why don’t you serve your family a nice flavorful meatloaf to go along your Kentucky mule. The drink’s spice cuts through the fattiness of the meat that makes it an awesome definition of balance.  

Barbeque Chicken Wings


Chicken wings are very famous for its variety, taste and looks, that’s why people love it. And to pair it off with one of the popular variations of the Moscow mule, the Kentucky mule, that’s just an ultimate meal to eat with a bunch of friends, so give it a try!

Pumpkin Carrot Cake


Pumpkin and carrot are two ingredients that blend very well with ginger in most dishes. Having a dessert version of these two while sipping a drink that happens to have a burst of ginger flavor, it’s just like a whole meal but on the sweeter side. Also this cake is covered in a smooth cream cheese frosting so it’s gotta be tasty, light and slightly sweet.  

FAQs

What is the best bourbon brand for a Kentucky Mule?

There are a lot of great bourbon brands and the most used ones when making a Kentucky mule include Bulleit, Maker’s Mark, Woodford Reserve, Jim Black and Wild Turkey 101. There is also an array of Kentucky rye that you can use which has a totally different flavor profile. The choice of bourbon will always be a matter of preference so if you like something else and believe that it will go great in a Kentucky mule, go for it. 

What are the types of whiskey?

There are about nine types of whiskey namely, Bourbon Whiskey, Irish Whiskey, Scotch Whisky, Japanese Whisky, Canadian Whisky, Tennessee Whiskey, Rye Whiskey, Blended Whiskey, and Single Malt Whisky. If you can notice, there are two ways to spell “whiskey”, the Irish spell the same way as the American while the Scottish omits the “e” which is followed by the Japanese and Canadian. They have different distilling styles and aging lengths but they share the same shade of color despite the others being made from other ingredients. They are also kept in oak barrels thus giving whiskey, in general, smoky flavors. 

What is the difference between a buck and a mule?

Some people differentiate the terms “mule” and “buck” based on whether ginger beer or ginger ale is used, for argument's sake. They say that the mule denotes ginger beer while the buck is used for ginger ale. While this seems like an easy and good enough explanation, there are some who insist that either ginger ale or ginger beer will take up “buck” as the name. When the Moscow mule rose to popularity, the “mule” kind of stuck even if it was just a play on buck because anything that is spirit + ginger beer or ginger ale + citrus juice was called a buck. This is why some people use it interchangeably.  

What effect does the copper mug have on the drink?

Copper mugs are plated with copper, which is a good conductor, so when it is filled with ice, it becomes cold almost instantly thus keeps the drink cold for a long time. Copper mugs were originally used to serve Moscow mules, part of the need to sell a  surplus of copper mugs back when it was invented. It turned out very well because aside from keeping the drink cold, it also became the symbol of Moscow mules as well as other types of mules that we know and love these days. 

Is drinking from a copper mug good?

There has been a debate regarding copper mugs having health benefits or not. Some say that the copper material in the mug  provides antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antioxidant properties which makes drinking from it beneficial for the health and that they ought to start drinking water from it. On the other hand, there is also a study that disproves this claim. It indicates that copper mugs are neither healthy nor unhealthy. Whether this is true or not, one thing is for sure, copper mugs are safe to drink from especially when they are lined. 

Other Delightful Whiskey Cocktails

After you’ve had the Kentucky mule, you’ll probably look for other whiskey drinks. And so, you can check out these whiskey sour recipes or if you still want the tanginess from the lime, you can also give these whiskey limeade recipes a try. 

Conclusion 

People always want something more. They don’t want to stick with the same things all the time because it will just get boring. Moscow mule is good, that’s for sure but others might not appreciate vodka as much, and that’s what the Kentucky mule is for because it caters to other people’s preferences. There is a long list of whiskeys that have specific and distinct flavors and taste but generally, they work well being a mule.

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