Moscow Mule with a Twist (of Tequila)!
- Simple ingredients and fresh flavor.
- Just like the original recipe, but with tequila.
- Quick and easy (5 minutes or less)!
- Perfect year round or for special holidays like Cinco de Mayo.
- Easy to scale up for a party pitcher.
Looking for another mule recipe? Try this Irish Mule or Cranberry Moscow Mule next.
A Moscow mule is vodka, lime, and ginger beer in a copper mug. A Mexican mule or tequila mule swaps the vodka for tequila, and everything changes. Tequila brings a natural earthiness and a little heat that vodka doesn’t have. The ginger beer amplifies it. Add fresh lime and a splash of agave instead of simple syrup, and you have a cocktail that’s noticeably more interesting than the original.
This is the version of the mule that actually has a point of view.
Moscow Mule vs. Tequila Mule
The base spirit is the only structural difference. Moscow mule = vodka. Mexican mule/tequila mule = tequila. In practice, the flavor difference is significant. Tequila has earthy agave notes that interact with the spicy ginger beer in a way that vodka doesn’t. The result is a cocktail with more character. If you’ve had both, you probably prefer one most people who like tequila strongly prefer the Mexican mule.
Tequila Recommendation
Blanco (silver) tequila is the standard choice. It keeps the drink bright and lets the ginger beer and lime come through. Reposado works too and adds a subtle oak and vanilla note a little warmer, slightly more complex. Avoid mixto or gold tequila; you want 100% agave.
A mid-range blanco like Espolon, Olmeca Altos, or El Jimador gives you great results without spending too much on a mixed drink.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Tequila: I used silver tequila, which I prefer for cocktails like margaritas and mules. You can use reposado tequila and añejo tequila interchangeably.
- Agave: Agave adds sweetness, without the need to make a simple syrup. You can make one if you have sugar on hand, or omit this altogether to make it less sweet.
- Lime juice: Use fresh limes, no exception! It makes such a difference. We love this handheld juicer with a measuring cup.
- Ginger beer: Any quality ginger beer will work for this recipe. I used a lite ginger beer for lower sugar and calories.
- Fresh mint leaves: Classic Moscow mules always use fresh mint and it pairs really well with tequila too.
- Jalapeño (optional): Leave the seeds in for more of a kick, or omit the jalapeño all together if you don’t like the heat.
Ginger Beer Recommendation
Feel free to use whatever you like, but the ginger beer you choose changes the drink significantly. Fever-Tree Ginger Beer is the gold standard genuinely spicy, not too sweet. Bundaberg is another good option. Q Ginger Beer for the most intense ginger flavor. Avoid ginger ale entirely it doesn’t have enough ginger kick and makes the drink flat.
Why agave syrup instead of simple syrup?
Agave is the sweetener that actually comes from the same plant as tequila, so it doesn’t compete with the spirit the way cane sugar does. It integrates rather than just adding sweetness. You can swap in simple syrup and it’ll work fine, but agave makes it taste more cohesive.
How to Make a Tequila Mule
- Fill cocktail shaker. Add the tequila, agave, and lime juice to a cocktail shaker with crushed ice. Don’t add the ginger beer (shaking and carbonation doesn’t go well).
- Shake and serve. Shake the cocktail vigorously for at least 30 seconds. Fill copper cups with ice cubes or crushed ice and pour the cocktail on top. Add ginger beer and stir. Garnish with a sprig of mint, jalapeno slices, and fresh lime wedges.
Recipe Variations
- Non-alcoholic option (we love mocktails too!): Omit the tequila and replace it with equal parts club soda or a lime flavored soda water (like LaCroix). Instead of shaking, stir the ingredients together in a tall glass.
- Pineapple Mexican Mule: Add 1/3 cup pineapple juice instead of all of the lime juice.
- Different Liquor: Vodka, gin, orange liqueur all go really well in a mule. Use any of these if you have them on hand.
- Skinny version: Use less agave and light ginger beer to top.
- Kentucky mule: Swap the tequila for bourbon and omit the jalapeno.
- Irish mule: Use whiskey instead of tequila and leave out the jalapeno.
- Make a spicy version: Use jalapeño for a slight kick. Shake a few jalapeno slices with the tequila and lime.
Molly’s Tips
Make ahead: Mix tequila, lime juice, and agave up to 1 day ahead. Chill and shake before serving; top with ginger beer just before pouring.
Copper mugs: They’re not required but keep your drink colder longer.
Storage: Best enjoyed fresh—ginger beer will go flat if stored too long.
Complete your Mexican Spread: I have tons of Mexican recipes, but I love to serve Chipotle corn salsa, creamy jalapeño, and steak nachos with tequila mules.
FAQ
Tequila, fresh lime juice, agave syrup, and ginger beer. Served over ice, garnished with a lime wheel and optionally fresh mint or a slice of jalapeño.
Blanco (silver) tequila for a clean, bright drink. Reposado for something with slightly more depth and warmth. Always 100% agave.
Fever-Tree for a well-balanced, genuinely spicy option. Bundaberg for something a little sweeter. Q Ginger Beer for maximum ginger intensity. Avoid ginger ale, not the same thing.
Yes. Add two or three thin slices of jalapeño to the shaker with the tequila and lime before mixing. The capsaicin infuses quickly. Or muddle a slice of jalapeño in the bottom of the glass before adding ice.
The spirit. Moscow mule uses vodka; Mexican mule uses tequila. The flavor difference is significant tequila’s earthy agave notes interact with ginger beer in a way that vodka doesn’t.
No. It looks great and the copper does keep the drink colder longer, but it’s fully optional. A rocks glass or highball glass works perfectly.
More Tequila Cocktails
Tequila Mule
Save this Recipe!
Ingredients
- 3 oz tequila
- 2 oz lime juice (2-3 limes)
- 1 oz agave or honey
- 1-2 cups crushed ice plus more for shaking
- 6-8 oz ginger beer
- Lime wedge and mint to garnish (jalapeño optional)
Instructions
- Add the tequila, agave, and lime juice to a cocktail shaker with crushed ice. Don’t add the ginger beer (shaking and carbonation doesn’t go well). Shake the cocktail vigorously for at least 30 seconds.3 oz tequila, 2 oz lime juice, 1-2 cups crushed ice, 1 oz agave
- Fill copper cups with ice cubes or crushed ice and pour the cocktail on top. Add ginger beer and stir. Garnish with a sprig of mint, jalapeño slices, and fresh lime wedges.6-8 oz ginger beer, Lime wedge and mint to garnish
Notes
Video
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker
- Hand Juicer
- Copper mugs
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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So good! Would make this over and over again!!
Made this amazing drink tonight! Both husband and I loved it! Highly recommend!!