Irish Mule {Colorado Mule)
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Nothing says “Happy St. Patrick’s Day” quite like an Irish Mule; and I’m not talking about the kicking kind, but an Irish version of the Moscow Mule of course. It is full of shenanigans; with fresh muddled mint, crisp, clean whiskey, lime juice and finished with spicy, bubbly ginger beer.
A few years ago, when I first started discovering mules; my husband and I went out for dinner and enjoyed a twist on the typical Moscow Mule, it was called a Colorado Mule — basically all the same elements of a Moscow Mule, but using whiskey (or bourbon) instead of vodka.
This mule has a wee bit of a St. Paddy’s day twist, because it’s made with whiskey and is green all over, perfect to entertain with on St. Patrick’s day.
EQUIPMENT YOU’LL NEED FOR THIS RECIPE
- Cocktail Glass or Copper Mule Mug
- Muddler (yup, it’s a thing)
- Jigger or Mini Measuring Cup
- Juicer (this is my favorite)
I’m the first to admit that I am not a big drinker, kind of a wimpy one actually, but that’s why I really enjoy a cocktail now and then, you can adjust the amount of alcohol according to your wimpiness taste.
IRISH MULE INGREDIENTS
- Irish Whiskey (other whiskey and/or bourbon would work great too)
- Fresh Lime
- Fresh Mint
- Ginger Beer | There are so many varieties on the market, depends on your taste, here are a few of my favorites: Reed’s | A nice balance of spicy and sweet; Q Drinks | spicier, not as sweet, very bubbly; and Fever Tree | not too sweet, a little extra spicy.
So what are you waiting for?? Gather up the ingredients and equipment and let’s make a cocktail, perfect for your St. Patrick’s day gathering or anytime you want a refreshing, slightly spicy, smoky and a wee bit complex cocktail.
IRISH MULE MOCKTAIL
Oh and if you are not into cocktails, simply omit the whiskey, add a little extra splash of lime and top it off with that ginger beer for a lovely mocktail.
MIXING UP AN IRISH MULE
Grab a glass or a copper mug; copper mugs keep the contents frosty and crisp, check out this post for Pomegranate Mules for the history on Copper Mugs and the Moscow Mule. Alas, laddie or lassie, I didn’t use my copper mugs, because I wanted to showcase the beauty of this drink.
First you’ll be muddlin’ your mint, yeah, you heard me, grab your muddler and your mint, toss in a few leaves and gently press into the bottom of the glass. You don’t want to smash them to smithereens (that’ll make them bitter), just a few presses and a light twist should do the trick.
Add crushed or cubed ice! We don’t have a freezer that serves up crushed ice and for a cocktail I like my iced crushed, so I put some in a freezer baggie and shash it all up with a meat mallet!
Pour in whiskey – 2 oz for a stronger drink, 1-1 1/2 oz for a lighter drink. This is one of my very favorite kitchen tools, I use it all-the-time, in fact I have two!Next, squeeze in your lime, a whole half of a lime, adds a most beautiful citrus pop!
Now, top the glass off with your ginger beer of choice.
Finally, place a twist of lime and a sprig of mint, it really finishes off the cocktail beautifully!
Please enjoy responsibly and don’t forget to be a blessin’ to someone this St. Patrick’s day!
Try these other light & refreshing cocktails!
- Blackberry Bourbon Moscow Mule
- Mint Julep
- Cucumber Cooler (Adult Spa Water)
- Grapefruit Basil Vodka Smash
And this mule will pair perfectly with Bangers and Mash and Milk Stout Brownies or this easy Chocolate Guinness Cake with Irish Buttercream.
For a comprehensive list of St. Patrick’s day menu ideas, check out my 35+ St. Patrick’s Day Recipes post.
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 1- 2 oz Irish Whiskey other whiskey and/or bourbon would work great too
- 1/2 fresh lime
- 8-10 leaves fresh mint
- 4-6 oz Ginger Beer
- Crushed or Cubed Ice
Instructions
- Grab your muddler and your mint, toss a few mint leaves into bottom of glass and gently press into the bottom of the glass. Just a few presses and a light twist should do the trick.
- Next, pour in your whiskey – 2 oz for a stronger drink, 1-1 1/2 oz for a lighter drink. This is one of my very favorite kitchen tools, I use it all-the-time, in fact I have two!
- Next, squeeze in your lime, a whole half of a lime, adds a most beautiful citrus pop!
- Now, top the glass off with your ginger beer of choice.
- Finally, place a twist of lime and a sprig of mint, it really finishes off the cocktail beautifully!
- Please enjoy responsibly!
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About Kathleen Pope
Recipe Innovator | Food Photographer | Food Writer
Hi, I’m Kathleen Pope. Here at The Fresh Cooky you will find easy, mostly from-scratch, trusted recipes for all occasions. From speedy dinners to tasty desserts, with easy step-by-step instructions. I am here to help teach you how to make mouthwatering recipes without spending hours in the kitchen. Read more about Kathleen here.
I have only tasted a Moscow Mule and I didn’t like it, probably because of the Vodka. I am pretty positive that your Irish Whiskey version would change my mind about Mules. Looking forward to trying this.
I hope you do, Paula!!