This Mexican Mule recipe is a flavorful take on the traditional Moscow mule, made with fresh lime juice and tequila. Make it in 10 minutes with quick simple syrup and finish it with a splash of ginger beer.
Love tequila drinks? Try a refreshing cucumber margarita next then save this recipe for mango margaritas (frozen or on the rocks).
Grab your copper mug and serve up the best Moscow mule with tequila! The homemade ginger simple syrup tastes so refreshing and will take your drink-making to the next level. Mexican mules are very similar to a classic Moscow mule, but with a fun, spicy ginger beer twist.
We were inspired by this cranberry Moscow mule we love to make for the holidays. I love mules and was craving a classic mule I could enjoy year-round, and because I'm a huge fan of tequila, I knew we had to perfect this tequila mule recipe!
This recipe combines my two favorite cocktails: a Moscow mule and a margarita.
Why You'll Love this Mexican Mule
- Simple ingredients and fresh flavor profile.
- Just like the original recipe, but with tequila and jalapeno.
- Quick and easy homemade simple syrup.
- Perfect year round or for special holidays like cinco de mayo.
We highly recommend pairing this with chorizo tacos, ground pork tacos, or easy carne asada for taco night.
Tequila Moscow Mule Ingredients
Here are the key ingredients for this tequila cocktail. They're easy, and mostly affordable, to find in grocery stores. Jump down to the recipe card for exact measurements.
- Agave: this natural sweetener makes simple syrup and adds just the right amount of sweetness to the cocktail. You can swap this for honey if you have it on hand.
- Fresh jalapeño slices: I like to use this ingredient for a slight kick because it's a Mexican Mule after all! However, you can omit this if you don't want them spicy.
- Fresh ginger root: grab this near the onion at the grocery store. It gives the drink a real ginger flavor to pair with ginger beer.
- Fresh mint leaves: classic Moscow mules always use fresh mint and it pairs really well with tequila too.
- Silver tequila: this is the white tequila you find in most grocery stores and bars. Silver tequila is much better for cocktails like a margarita or mules, however, the type of tequila is based on preference. Many enjoy reposado tequila, which is aged for up to a year and has a golden color.
- 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. The carbonation of the ginger beer adds a kick and spice to the finished drink.
How to Make a Moscow Mule with Tequila
The full printable recipe is below, but let’s walk through the steps with some photos and a video so you have a clear idea of what to expect. This ginger beer cocktail is really easy and these step-by-step instructions will make sure they turn out every time.
Make the simple syrup
Add the water, agave, sliced jalapeño, and ginger to a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil then turn the heat down to simmer for 1-2 minutes. Immediately remove it from the heat and stir in the mint. Allow the simple syrup to cool down slightly.
Shake the cocktail
Strain the the cooled simple syrup into a cocktail shaker or a cup with a lid (like a mason jar), then add the tequila and lime juice. Add a bit more jalapeño and mint if desire, then close the lid and shake well until combined.
Pour and garnish
- Fill copper cups (if you have them) with ice cubes or crushed ice and divide the mixture between them evenly. This recipe easily doubles, so divide it among the number of cups you have.
- Top the Moscow mule with tequila off with fresh ginger beer right before serving. Garnish with a sprig of mint, jalapeno slices, and fresh lime wedges.
Mule Variations
- Non-alcoholic option: omit the tequila and replace it with equal parts club soda. Don't shake it with the lime juice. Instead, add it at the end with the ginger beer.
- Pineapple Mexican Mule: add ⅓ cup pineapple juice instead of all of the lime juice.
- Different Liquor: if you love the spicy simple syrup, but want a different alcohol, try vodka, gin or add some orange liqueur (triple sec or cointreau) to the tequila like you would in a margarita.
- Skinny version: use less agave in the simple syrup and use a 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.
FAQs
Try using tequila (like this recipe!), or swap it for gin, bourbon or rum.
A Mexican mule is a variation of the classic Moscow mule made with tequila instead of vodka.
The two most common substitutes are ginger ale and club soda.
Although the name is deceiving, ginger beer doesn't usually contain alcohol. It's similar to root beer in that way. However, you can find spiked ginger beer if you want it, but I find this Moscow mule with tequila is plenty alcoholic.
Copper is a great conductor of temperature, so when an ice cold Mexican Mule is poured inside it takes on that temperature and keeps the drink cold longer. It's not absolutely necessary to have, but it does add to the experience!
If you make this recipe, I’d love for you to give it a star rating ★ below. You can also tag me on Instagram so I can see it!
More tequila cocktails
- Mango margaritas (frozen and on the rocks)
- Blood orange margarita
- Cranberry Moscow mule (just use tequila!)
Moscow Mule with Tequila (Mexican Mule)
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup water
- 2 tablespoons agave or honey
- ½ jalapeño sliced (omit if you don’t want your mules spicy)
- 3 slices fresh ginger
- 2 tablespoons fresh mint plus more for topping
- 3 oz tequila about ⅓ cup
- ½ cup lime juice about 3 limes, plus lime wedges for topping
- 1-2 cups crushed ice
- 2 7 ounce ginger beers, for topping
Instructions
- Add the water, agave, sliced jalapeño and ginger to a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil then turn the heat down to simmer for 1-2 minutes. Immediately remove it from the heat and stir in the mint. Allow the simple syrup to cool down slightly.
- Strain the the cooled simple syrup into a cocktail shaker or a cup with a lid (like a mason jar), then add the tequila and lime juice. Add a bit more jalapeño and mint if desire, then close the lid and shake well until combined.
- Fill copper cups (if you have them) with crushed ice and divide the mixture between them evenly. This recipe easily doubles, so divide it among the amount of cups you have.
- Top the Moscow mule with tequila off with fresh ginger beer right before serving. Garnish with more mint and fresh lime wedges.
Notes
Nutrition
Celi says
Made this amazing drink tonight! Both husband and I loved it! Highly recommend!!