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If you’re looking for a flavoursome twist on a classic cocktail then look no further than this Jamaican Mule. Ditch the boring, flavourless vodka for oaky spiced rum and bring the taste of the Caribbean into your home!
What is it?
You’ve most likely heard of the famous Moscow Mule, but did you know that there are countless variations on this classic cocktail? The Jamaican Mule is a fabulous alternative that is bursting with flavour coupled with a little spice, adding a little warmth to cut through the icy-cold liquid.
Mule cocktails are derived from ‘buck’ cocktails. These are cocktails that contain a spirit, ginger beer and citrus juice (usually lime or lemon). They actually originate from a mocktail called the ‘Horses Neck’ which was renamed a buck after the addition of alcohol (which would cause the horse to buck). And then the mule cocktail was evolved from this (a bucking mule).
If you are a fan of ginger beer then experiment with a few of these great cocktails. Why not try a mistletoe cranberry mule or this mango mule?
Can I use ginger ale instead of ginger beer?
It is not advised to use ginger ale in this cocktail as, other than the fact that both drinks are ginger flavoured soft drinks, there are few other similarities.
Ginger beer is spicier and more flavoursome, which is very important for the taste of this cocktail. It is also less effervescent than its sweeter, milder and bubblier counterpart, which will have a huge effect on the experience of the drink.
Can I use regular rum?
Yes, and, no. Rum does originate from the Caribbean, but its roots are in the Bahamas. Therefore, to make a traditional Jamaican Mule, you ideally want to find Jamaican rum. While not all Jamaican rums are spiced, they are distilled in a specific way and therefore have a unique strong aroma and taste (you may have heard of the Jamaican ‘funk’).
Spiced rum is a popular choice for this cocktail as it packs a ton of flavour which, when combined with the ginger beer, is fiery and spicy making it a unique and delicious tipple that literally dances on the tongue.
Can I make it in advance?
Since this cocktail doesn’t require any shaking (it’s perfectly fine to combine the ingredients in a glass, or copper mug, and stir) it is a little less labour intensive than some other cocktails and you can make it ahead of time.
If you are having a gathering, and don’t want to spend the night making drinks, then you can measure and mix the ingredients and leave them to chill in the fridge. However, do not add the ice until you are about to serve, as it will dilute the liquid if left in the drink to melt.
Ingredients
For a full list of ingredients with measurements jump to the printable recipe card.
- Ice
- Spiced rum
- Lime juice, ideally freshly squeezed
- Ginger beer
- Fresh mint sprigs and lime wedges, to garnish
How to make it
For more detailed steps with recipe tips jump to the printable recipe card.
- Half fill a glass or copper mug with ice.
- Pour the rum, lime juice and ginger beer into the glass and stir.
- Add more ice to the glass until it is full. Top with sliced lime and fresh mint sprigs.
Looking for more great cocktail recipes? Try:
Products that work well for this recipe:
Bamboo Bartender & Cocktail Kit
Moscow Mule Gift Set
Moscow Mule Mugs
Jamaican Mule
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This Jamaican Mule has so much flavour it literally dances on your tongue! Ditch the vodka for oaky spiced rum & bring home the taste of the Caribbean!
The default recipe makes one cocktail.
Ingredients
- ice
- 50ml spiced rum (see note 1,2)
- 15ml / 1 tbsp lime juice
- 175ml / 3/4 cup ginger beer (see note 3)
- mint sprigs and lime slices, to garnish
Instructions
- Half fill a glass or copper mug with ice
- Pour in the rum lime juice and ginger beer and stir together.
- Add more ice until the glass/mug is full and garnish with lime slices and mint.
Notes
- In England and Wales, a standard shot is 25ml, therefore this cocktail calls for a double measure. In Scotland and Northern Ireland, a standard shot is 35ml. In the US a standard pour is 1.5 fl oz which is equivalent to 45ml. We could go on. Adjust as you prefer.
- You can use regular rum, but for best results use Jamaican rum (if not using spiced rum) as it is distilled in a unique way and has a strong aroma and flavour.
- Make sure to use ginger beer rather than ginger ale, as it is stronger and more firey and has a significant effect on the flavour of the cocktail.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Cocktail
- Method: Mix
- Cuisine: Jamaican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 170
- Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Protein: 0g
Keywords: cocktail, drink, rum, alcoholic, spicy, ginger, lime
