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Home » Recipes » Beverages

Published: Mar 14, 2021 · Modified: May 11, 2022 by Amanda McGrory-Dixon

Irish Mule

Jump to Recipe
Two Irish mule cocktails on a piece of clothe with a bottle of Jameson in the background and text overlay on top.
Two Irish mule cocktails on a piece of clothe with a bottle of Jameson in the background and text overlay on top.

Let's get lucky with this festive Irish mule! Made with fresh mint, lime juice, Irish whiskey and spicy ginger beer, this mule cocktail recipe makes for one crowd-pleasing, refreshing sipper. It's perfect for St. Patrick's Day or any casual evening on the patio when you need a cooling drink. Sláinte!

Two Irish mule cocktails on a cream-colored clothe with limes to the side and a bottle of Jameson behind them.
Jump to:
  • Why You Need to Make This Cocktail
  • Ingredients
  • Step-by-Step Instructions
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Expert Tips
  • Perfect Pairing
  • Love Mule Cocktails?
  • 📖 Recipe

Why You Need to Make This Cocktail

St. Patrick's Day calls for a good Irish whiskey cocktail. My Jameson old fashioned, Irish whiskey smash and Baileys Irish coffee martini are a few favorites, and now we can add this Irish mule to our St. Patrick's Day cocktail menu.

As a twist on the classic Moscow mule cocktail, an Irish mule, also known as a Dublin mule, replaces vodka with Irish whiskey, which is an incredibly smooth liquor that imparts notes of fruit, caramel and oak. This makes for an even more complex, flavorful cocktail that everyone will love.

Plus, mule cocktails are as easy as it gets when it comes to mixology, which is great if you're hosting a St. Patrick's Day party. You don't have to mess with any fussy ingredients or preparation steps. Sure, we lightly muddle some mint, but this just takes a few twists of the wrist.

With its crowd-pleasing flavors and ease of preparation, this Irish mule is truly the perfect party cocktail.

Bonus: If you love this Jameson mule, make sure you also try my London mule and Kentucky mule!

Ingredients

The Irish mule ingredients on a wooden board with black and white labels.

Obviously, the most important ingredient here is our Irish whiskey. While you can certainly use your favorite, Jameson Irish Whiskey is the most popular distillery for this liquor and my go-to.

Also, please note that mules call for ginger beer, not ginger ale. Both are delicious, but ginger beer has a distinctive flavor and spicier kick you won't get with ginger ale.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Now let's start mixing. We grab our copper mug, add fresh lime juice and mint leaves, and lightly muddle (photo 1).

Muddling the lime juice and mint leaves in a copper mug on a wooden surface.

Our mint leaves are delicate, so we don't need rip them apart. Just a few twists is enough to release the oils to flavor our drink.

Step 2: After muddling, we add the most important ingredient -- our Irish whiskey (photo 2).

Adding the Irish whiskey to the copper mug with the rest of the ingredients.

Step 3: From here, we add a handful of ice and give it a quick stir to chill our whiskey and lime juice.

Stirring the mule with a copper bar spoon on a wooden surface.

Step 4: Now we pour in our ginger beer and give it another stir to combine (photo 4).

Pouring the ginger beer into the copper mug after mixing.

For the finishing touch, we garnish with a mint sprig and sip the night away.

Looking down on two Irish mules with lime slices on a wooden plate to the left.

Recipe FAQs

What is Irish whiskey?

Irish whiskey has such strict standards that it has its own legal definition. According to the Irish Whiskey Act of 1980, this liquor must be distilled in Ireland from a mash of cereals, including malted barley. Conversely, American whiskey can include a variety of grain mashes, such as rye, wheat and corn.

In addition to its specific grain bill, Irish whiskey must age in wooden barrels for at least three years. Irish whiskey is also triple distilled, which makes for a silky smooth finish. You can't deny the passion Irish people have for their whiskey.

Do I need a copper mug?

I love serving any mule cocktail in a copper mug. Thanks to the copper, our drink stays insulated for an extra cold and refreshing sipper. And look at that lovely presentation -- it's a nice touch.

That said, if you don't have a copper mug, you can still serve this cocktail. While not traditional, an old fashioned glass will hold this drink just fine. I don't want you to miss out just because you don't have the classic copper mug.

Is there alcohol in ginger beer?

You might wonder if this is a particularly stiff drink with ginger beer, but ginger beer is nonalcoholic. It’s carbonated like beer to give us those refreshing, delightful bubbles, but it’s only here to give us that spicy ginger kick.

In fact, if you’d like a nonalcoholic Irish mule, simply leave out the whiskey. Muddle the lime and mint and add the ginger beer, and you’ll have one tasty mocktail.

An aerial view of two whiskey mules on clothe with Jameson beside it.

Expert Tips

  • Pick limes that feel plump with some give when you press into them. If they’re hard as a rock, that’s a sign they’re dried out.
  • Before juicing the lime, firmly roll it on the countertop under the palm of your hand. This helps release the juices.
  • Want to enjoy a fruity spin? Muddle some fruit of your choice with the mint.
  • Don't have a muddler? You can use a wooden spoon to get the same effect. That said, if you enjoy making cocktails at home, it's worth picking up a proper muddler.
  • Before adding the fresh mint garnish, place the sprig in the palm of one hand and quickly clap your other hand on top. This releases the oil to make for a more fragrant drinking experience.
  • If possible, chill the ginger beer before serving. This will keep your drink ultra refreshing and prevent too much ice dilution.

Perfect Pairing

To keep with the Irish spirit, let's enjoy this cocktail with some festive recipes. With the spicy ginger, you will love this Irish whiskey cocktail with my slow cooker Guinness corned beef, which simmers with a medley of of warm spices and seasonings. My Guinness lamb stew is also a wonderful option.

You will also love this Irish cocktail with my Irish whiskey chocolate cake with Baileys mousse. Chocolate is wonderful with ginger, and you already have the matching whiskey flavors.

When you need a refreshing cocktail that's perfect for St. Patrick's Day or just a night on the patio, I hope you try this easy Irish mule. One sip and you will fall in love -- promise.

Cheers!

Two cocktails with Jameson in the background with limes on the side.

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    Cherry-Orange Kentucky Mule

If you love this recipe, please leave a comment with a five-star rating — or simply hit the five-star button in the recipe card. Don't forget to sign up for my newsletter, and you can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and TikTok.

📖 Recipe

Two Irish mule cocktails on a cream-colored clothe with limes to the side and a bottle of Jameson behind them.

Irish Mule

Let's get lucky with this festive Irish mule! Made with fresh mint, lime juice, Irish whiskey and spicy ginger beer, this mule cocktail recipe makes for one crowd-pleasing, refreshing sipper. It's perfect for St. Patrick's Day or any casual evening on the patio when you need a cooling drink. Sláinte!
5 from 132 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: Irish
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1 drink
Calories: 215kcal
Author: Amanda McGrory-Dixon

Equipment

  • Muddler
  • Cocktail stirring spoon
  • Jigger or small measuring cup
  • Citrus juicer

Ingredients

  • 8-10 fresh mint leaves
  • ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice about ½ lime
  • 2 ounces Irish whiskey
  • Ice
  • 6 ounces ginger beer chilled
  • Fresh mint sprig for garnish

Instructions

  • Add mint leaves and lime juice to a copper mug. Lightly muddle the mint leaves to release their oil. A few twists should do.
  • Pour in the Irish whiskey with a handful of ice. Stir to chill the whiskey and lime juice.
  • Add the ginger beer and lightly stir to combine. If needed, add more ice.
  • Place a fresh sprig of mint in the palm of your hand and quickly clap your other hand on top. This releases the fragrance. Garnish the drink with the mint. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Pick limes that feel plump with some give when you press into them. If they’re hard as a rock, that’s a sign they’re dried out.
  • Before juicing the lime, firmly roll it on the countertop under the palm of your hand. This helps release the juices.
  • Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Nutrition

Serving: 1drink | Calories: 215kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 15mg | Potassium: 82mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 357IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @BurrataandBubbles or tag #burratandbubbles!

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Mama Maggie's Kitchen says

    March 28, 2021 at 9:28 pm

    5 stars
    My husband will love this Irish Mule for sure! It looks really tasty and satisfying!

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      April 06, 2021 at 6:33 pm

      I hope it was a hit!

      Reply
  2. Veronika says

    March 28, 2021 at 8:08 am

    5 stars
    Such a lovely and refreshing drink! I love trying new cocktails, going to try this one next week 😉

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      April 06, 2021 at 6:33 pm

      Hope you love it, Veronika! I bet you will.

      Reply
  3. Beth says

    March 27, 2021 at 6:52 pm

    5 stars
    Such a lovely drink with the lime and mint together. Nice to know you don't have to have the mule glasses, but they'd be a fun addition to the beverage cabinet. And we're finally getting to the sort of weather to appreciate a mule!

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      April 06, 2021 at 6:23 pm

      They definitely make for such a pretty presentation, and they're great when it's super hot in the summer! On some of the really hot summer days, I've even served other drinks in them because they keep them so cold.

      Reply
  4. Eva says

    March 27, 2021 at 7:51 am

    5 stars
    I can totally see how Jameson works fine in this mix! It's so smooth it really works wonders in cocktails!

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      April 06, 2021 at 6:20 pm

      Totally! It's so perfect here.

      Reply
  5. Leslie says

    March 26, 2021 at 1:35 pm

    5 stars
    I cannot believe how EASY this recipe is! So perfect to whip up on a whim!

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      April 06, 2021 at 6:19 pm

      Right?! It's always good to have a super easy cocktail recipe ready to go.

      Reply
  6. Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer says

    March 26, 2021 at 11:47 am

    5 stars
    OMGosh these look amazing! These are perfect for St. Patrick's day.. or because it's Friday! It's so light and refreshing! Thank you so much for sharing!

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      April 06, 2021 at 9:06 am

      You're so welcome, Lori!

      Reply
  7. Heidy says

    March 26, 2021 at 2:46 am

    5 stars
    Good Morning!

    Your recipe looks refreshing, and I am betting this would go over well with my friends and family! A must-make recipe for sure. Have a wonderful day, and I will come back to let you know how it turns out.

    P.S. I'm looking forward to checking out your other blog posts to see what I can dig up.

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      April 06, 2021 at 9:06 am

      Thanks, Heidy! I hope you loved it.

      Reply
  8. Silvia says

    March 25, 2021 at 12:09 pm

    So refreshing and with the right amount of mint. I love the addition of the ginger beer and I appreciated the suggestion of the brand of Irish whiskey I don't have too much knowledge of it.

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      April 06, 2021 at 9:06 am

      I'm glad that was helpful!

      Reply
  9. Veronika Sykorova says

    March 25, 2021 at 8:45 am

    5 stars
    Made this cocktail for st. Patrick's day, it was really good! So refreshing.

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      April 06, 2021 at 9:05 am

      Happy that you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  10. Heather says

    March 23, 2021 at 2:29 pm

    5 stars
    A mule is one of my favorite cocktails! But never thought to try with whiskey! Can’t wait to sip this down 🙂

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      March 23, 2021 at 4:56 pm

      The ginger and whiskey were made for each other!

      Reply
  11. Allyssa says

    March 23, 2021 at 3:17 am

    5 stars
    Looks so refreshing! This is so perfect! Thanks for sharing this very cool irish mule! love it!

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      March 23, 2021 at 4:55 pm

      You're so welcome!

      Reply

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A headshot of Amanda, the owner of Burrata and Bubbles, holding a beer.

Hi, I'm Amanda, a Denver-based lady who believes life is best spent with comforting meals, tasty beverages and good company. When I'm not playing in the kitchen, I'm probably exploring new breweries with my husband, Matt, or obsessing over my adorable dog, Baylor.

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