Name: Jamaican Mule
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 1
Cuisine: Jamaican
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

Question 1

What is it?

Accepted Answer

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?

Question 2

Can I use ginger ale instead of ginger beer?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 3

Can I use regular rum?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 4

Can I make it in advance?

Accepted Answer

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.

Jamaican Mule

Description

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

Nutrition