This Irish mule recipe is a refreshing, skinny cocktail that you can make in minutes. Only 3 ingredients are needed, plus garnish. Just like a classic Moscow Mule cocktail only, with an Irish twist. This cocktail is light and healthier - low sugar, low calorie, and low carb. Sláinte!
Why You'll Love It
It's easy. A simple to make, easy Irish whiskey mule recipe with only 3 ingredients plus a garnish of lime and mint. This refreshing cocktail is perfect year 'round - but it is particularly festive in copper mugs which makes it fun to serve over the holiday or St. Patrick's Day too!
A Moscow mule with whisky. This cocktail is similar to a classic Moscow mule cocktail with whiskey instead of vodka! You will love the combination of Irish whiskey and ginger beer with lime, and mint. I love to garnish my mule with mint and even mash a little extra mint in mine as well. 🙂
A healthier low sugar, low calorie, and low carb version. Another bonus - a sugar substitute can be used so there's no added sugar and it's low calorie (147 calories)!
Irish Mule Ingredients
Here are the ingredients and tools you will need to make this Irish Mule cocktail recipe:
- Ice Cubes - I have found that cubes work best instead of crushed. Crushed will water this cocktail down quickly.
- Fresh Lime Juice - you'll need approximately 1 lime, cut in half and the other half cut into wedges for ganish. Freshly squeezed lime juice should be used, not bottled.
- Irish whiskey - I tested with Jameson Irish Whiskey.
- Ginger beer (sugar-free diet) - if you don't want diet feel free to use regular ginger beer. Ginger ale can also be substitute, but it doesn't have the same ginger punch.
- Fresh Mint Leaves
- Garnish - lime wedges and a sprig of mint
Here is the equipment you will need:
- Copper mugs or a highball glass.
- Small measuring cup
- Cocktail stirrer
- Straws (you'll never run out of straws!)
For exact ingredient quantities, please see the recipe card below!
Substitutions and Variations
Here are some Irish mule variations if you are looking to "mix up your cocktail" (pun intended) 😉
- Substitute vodka for the Irish whiskey and you will have a Moscow Mule.
- Mash some mint in the drink for more of a minty taste. So good!
- Add a little cranberry juice to give it a holiday twist.
- Garnish with a pear slice and add a little pear liqueur (not sugar-free) or substitute pear vodka.
- Use regular ginger beer if you don't like the diet and sugar-free version.
- Play around with different sparkling soda or flavored sparkling water. If you use unsweetened, make sure to adjust with a little sugar or sugar substitute.
What are popular brands of Irish whiskey?
Here are some of the most popular brands for making your next whiskey cocktail:
- Jameson is one of the most commonly found brands of Irish whiskey in the United States but other brands that can be found are:
- Jameson Whiskey
- Conor McGregor’s Proper No Twelve
- Notorious
- Bushmills
- Paddy
- Dead Rabbit
- The Sexton Single Malt Irish Whiskey
- Teeling
- Roe & Co.
- Tullamore Dew
- Redbreast
- Grace O' Malley
What is the best ginger beer for Irish mule?
There are many varieties of ginger beer that would taste amazing in an irish mule cocktail. Here are some suggestions (p.s not all offer a sugar-free or diet version):
- Goslings Diet Ginger Beer
- Barritts Ginger Beer
- Zevia Mixer Ginger Beer (Sugar Free)
- Q Mixers - they offer a variety of flavors so it's great it want to change up your mule sometime.
- Remedy Ginger Beer (Sugar Free)
- Bundaberg Ginger Beer
- Maine Root Ginger Beer Brew
- Regatta Craft Mixers Light Ginger Beer
- Fever Tree Ginger Beer
How To Make An Irish Mule
Here are the step-by-step instructions for making an Irish mule:
Prep
Gather ingredients and slice a lime in half. Prepare garnishes.
Add Ingredients
Fill a copper mug halfway with ice cubes.
Add lime juice
Add whiskey
Top off with ginger beer and stir.
Garnish and Serve
Adjust lime to taste. Garnish with a lime wedge, fresh mint sprig and a festive straw.
Kori's Tips
- Adjust the lime juice as needed. Some limes are really juicy and tart. Some are not.
- Muddle a little mint in the bottom of your mug for a more minty fresh taste.
- Make sure your ginger beer is cold. It is helpful to have all your ingredients chilled.
- If you are serving for a party pre-prep your ingredients. That way you'll be able to mix these cocktails quickly and have them into your guest's hands in no time!
- You do not have to use a copper mug. Copper mugs have been traditionally used to make Moscow Mules and Irish Mules but it is not necessary at all!
FAQ's
An Irish mule is a tasty, easy-to-make cocktail recipe made with Irish whiskey, lime juice, and ginger beer. It's very similar to the classic Moscow mule - but with an Irish twist. This version used a sugar-free ginger beer to make it a low-calorie, low-carb cocktail, but you can use easily substitute a regular ginger beer.
An Irish mule is made with Irish whiskey, ginger beer, lime juice, and ice. Mint is often used as a garnish.
There are 69 calories per ounce of Irish whiskey (Jameson Irish whiskey). The calories can vary slightly with each brand.
Hand wash with gentle dish soap and dry with a soft towel.
To polish a copper mug mix 3 parts baking soda with 1 part vinegar. Using a sponge apply the mixture to the mug. Let sit for 10 minutes. Rub with the sponge and rinse with warm water drying with a soft towel.
You can also use half a lemon and some table salt. Sprinkle the table salt on the lemon half then rub directly on the mug. Rinse, wash, and hand dry.
Can I ask you a favor?
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📖 The recipe.
Irish Mule Recipe
Ingredients
- ice cubes
- juice of ½ lime (add more to your taste)
- 1 to 2 ounces irish whiskey
- cold bottle of ginger beer (sugar-free diet)
- lime wedges
- sprig of mint
Instructions
- Fill a mule mug halfway with ice cubes.
- Add lime juice and then vodka.
- Top off with ginger beer and stir. Adjust lime to taste.
- Garnish with a lime wedge and sprig of mint and a festive straw.
Video
Kori's Tips
- Adjust the lime juice as needed. Some limes are really juicy and tart. Some are not.
- Muddle a little mint in the bottom of your mug for a more minty fresh taste.
- Make sure your ginger beer is cold. It is helpful to have all your ingredients chilled.
- If you are serving for a party pre-prep your ingredients. That way you'll be able to mix these cocktails quickly and have them into your guest's hands in no time!
- You do not have to use a copper mug. Copper mugs have been traditionally used to make Moscow Mules and Irish Mules but it is not necessary at all!
Nutrition
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More Cocktail Recipes
Looking for more cocktail ideas? Here are some of my favorite cocktail recipes.
- Skinny Strawberry Martini
- Passion Fruit Martini
- Cranberry Mojitos
- Irish Cream Recipe. Add this to coffee and you have an Irish Coffee 🙂
- Skinny Lemon Mojito Recipe
- Southern Sweet Tea (Sugar Free) + bourbon + sprig mint = tasty Southern-inspired cocktail
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