The Irish Mule

By Father John Rayls

Irish Mule ingredients
(Credit: John Rayls)

I will drink most anything once, but prefer good whiskey (and make it neat!). Insofar as cocktails go, I am only interested in two, and only one is based on whiskey: margaritas and Irish Mules, and I prefer to make my own. Living in South Texas, as I do, guarantees an argument on how to make the best margaritas: what Tequila to use; should they be sweet or sour; whether to use lemons or limes or both.

However in this area, many are unfamiliar with Moscow Mules. This is a mixed drink made with a very good vodka, ginger beer and lime juice. It is supposed to be served over ice in a copper mug, with a lime wedge as a garnish. I simply replace the vodka with a higher proof Irish Whiskey, hence an Irish Mule. It is a very easy cocktail to make, requires no unusual tools and can be quite impressive looking as well as tasting. It isn’t imperative to serve it in a copper mug, but that touch adds some flair and increases the fun factor.

All of the ingredients can be interchanged or substituted except one. That one ingredient that is absolutely essential for your success and enjoyment is a good tasting, premium ginger beer. I went through many different ones before finding my perfect one: Fever-Tree Ginger Beer. At $2.00 per 6 oz bottle, it isn’t cheap. However, you don’t want to cut corners on what will comprise roughly 3/4 of your cocktail. I have also found that Teeling Small Batch Irish Whiskey (92 proof) is an ideal mixer. It has a somewhat higher abv, it is a subtle whiskey in its flavor, and has a slightly sweet flavor profile. Two small limes, a copper mug and plenty of ice completes the pre-flight check.

Ingredients
Two limes
Ginger beer
Irish Whiskey

Begin by cutting the two small limes in half. Squeeze the juice from one and a half limes directly into your mug. Using a hand held, manually operated juicer helps, but isn’t mandatory. Do it all by hand if you feel so moved. Cut the remaining half lime into thirds length-wise and use them to garnish your drink.

The finished Irish Mule,
complete with copper cup.
(Credit: John Rayls)

I never measure my Irish Whiskey, and tend to make it a generous pour. Simply add the amount required to get the desired results, and I suggest you start with about two shots worth. Finally, pour the entire contents of the 6 oz bottle of ginger beer into the mug. I normally pour it aggressively and allow that action to mix the ingredients. However, stirring is also acceptable.

Fill the copper mug with ice and add the remaining lime slices. You have just created an Irish Mule. It will only take three to five minutes to make.

All of my friends have fallen in love with this recipe, because it is so refreshing and simply tastes incredible. I’ve even had rave reviews on Virgin Irish Mules. My recipe is in big demand and people want me at their gatherings to introduce this new (to them) concoction. Give it a try. It may open a whole new world for you.