In this post, we reveal the top 7 recipes for the Orange Mule, a delicious and unique twist on the classic Moscow Mule. Let's dive in!

Introduction

Like the sassier, sweeter, better looking sibling of the Moscow Mule, the Orange Mule has made quite the positive impression within the cocktail world. 

Many refer to the Orange Mule as the perfect cocktail for “those who dislike the taste of alcohol”, and this much is true; between the fragrant layers of ginger ale, fresh OJ and herbs, it’s almost impossible to detect the vodka embedded within. 

In this article, we discuss the following and much more:

• The History of the Orange Mule
• An Orange Mule Flavor Journey 
• Tips and Tricks for Serving Your Orange Mules
• Different Ways of Making an Orange Mule
• 7 Delicious Orange Mule Recipes to Try at Home

The History of the Orange Mule Cocktail

The exact origin of the Orange Mule is left to much debate and widespread speculation. Mixologists in Hollywood, California (the supposed birthplace of the Moscow Mule) would like to claim lineage over all variations of the Mule cocktails, but cocktail-lovers in the east seem to disagree. 

In many ways, the Orange Mule cocktail bares uncanny similarities to another popular cocktail from America’s east coast: the Orange Crush. In 1995 a sweetened mix of orange juice and vodka became a recreational sensation in West Ocean City, Maryland. 

Soon, all of Maryland and the surrounding states had embraced this alcoholic mix as somewhat of a staple cocktail; it was affordable, refreshing, and presumed full of nutrients because of the OJ/vodka ratio.

It is thought that the invention of the Orange Mule cocktail happened very naturally when the original Moscow Mule from the west coast finally made it to the east. People in these parts were already accustomed to drinking Orange Crush almost daily, so introducing the bitter Mule cocktail from the west, void of any orange sweetness, seemed ludicrous. Combining the two was quite simple since they both already required vodka; and so saw the birth of the Orange Moscow Mule. 

It’s All About the Flavor

When it comes to making Orange Mules, it’s much harder to mask a bad one with crafty mixology techniques. The flavor of a well-made Orange Mule relies solely on the freshness of the ingredients, no more and no less. 

This is one of few cocktails that doesn’t make use of any fragrant tinctures or tonics to create the illusion of flavor within the glass. Customarily, Orange Mules don’t involve any bitters, simple syrups or flavor concentrates to achieve the desired taste. This is one of the most basic cocktails on the market, which is why so many people jump at the chance to make them at home. 

With Orange Mules, you are at the mercy of the natural flavor and quality of the ginger ale, herbs & orange and lime juices that you use in your recipe.  

It is widely accepted that freshly squeezed orange juice makes for the best flavored Orange Mules, hands down. Surprisingly, pulp doesn’t affect the overall flavor of the drink at all, so keeping or removing it is purely left to your discretion.

Using freshly squeezed juices leaves room for flavor variations within the orange family. Ever considered a Blood Orange Mule? 

The same can be said for the lime juice element of the cocktail; freshly squeezed offers unmatched flavor that simply can’t be achieved through a cordial replacement. 

It should also go without saying that, when it comes to making cocktails, fresh herbs are always superior to dried ones. There are many variations for Orange Mules, and all of them make use of green herbs; usually mint or basil. 

Fresh herbs release potent flavor when muddled, while dried herbs tend to be solely aesthetic.

How to Serve Like a Pro

Visually, there is nothing bland or unappealing about the finished product of an Orange Mule cocktail. It’s a bright, vibrant looking drink; one that could be shown off through non-tinted glass. Alternatively, Orange Mule cocktails look beautiful in gleaming copper mugs. 

Your finished Mule should be filled to the brim with ice, making for a semi-sturdy surface on which to present some garnish. An orange slice accompanied by a leaf or two of the herb you muddled into the drink is the most traditional way to serve this cocktail. 

A popular trend emerging in the west is also to top each Orange Mule with a generous lime wedge, instead of orange, so that the drinker might be compelled to squeeze it over the ice just before their first sip. 

A stirrer, or “swizzle stick”, is essential when serving an Orange Mule. During the mixing process, all ingredients except for the ginger ale are shaken together and set in a glass. It is then charged with ginger ale on top, giving the cocktail that blended, sunset look: dense orange on the bottom, translucent ale on the top. 

An alternative to setting herbs on the top of your cocktail is to actually freeze full mint/basil leaves into your ice cubes before adding them to the glass. Orange Mules are meant to be less rigid, more fun cocktails — so get creative with your presentation.

Different Ways to Make an Orange Mule

Despite being one of the simplest cocktails on the market, the variation of ways to make an Orange Mule is seemingly endless. The only truly nonnegotiable element seems to be that it has to contain orange juice — duh!

As for the other ingredients, these can be largely adjusted to suit individual tastes while still qualifying as the age old “Mule”. Ginger ale, for example, can be swapped out for candied ginger melted into soda water, or even ginger flavored kombucha as an even healthier alternative. 

Likewise, if vodka simply isn’t your cup of tea, the Orange Mule is welcoming to just about any alternative spirit — light or dark! 

A Bourbon mule with orange is a popular drink in Western Europe, while a lot of people in Latin America and South Africa prefer their Orange Mules to be made using reposado tequilas. 

7 Delicious Orange Mule Recipes

The Classic

Serves: 2

Ingredients:

• 100ml vodka
• 100ml fresh orange juice
• 200ml ginger ale
• The juice of 1 lime
• Fresh mint leaves

Instructions:

1. Fill two glasses with ice.
2. Use a cocktail shaker to combine the vodka, orange juice, lime juice and mint leaves. 
3. Strain while pouring over the ice (mint should not fall into the glass).
4. Charge with ginger ale and top with desired garnish. 

The Blood Orange Mule

Serves: 1

Ingredients:

• 40ml vodka
• 100ml ginger ale
• The juice of 1/2 lime
• 1/2 cup of granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup of water
• 1/4 cup of juice from a blood orange

Instructions:

1. Combine the sugar, water and blood orange juice in a pot and bring to a boil over medium heat.
2. Watch the sugar melt and then keep it at the same heat for 3 minutes. Remove and let cool completely. 
3. Combine the cooled syrup, vodka and lime juice using a shaker.
4. Pour over ice and charge with ginger ale.

The Cranberry Orange Mule

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup of water
• The peel of an orange (about 8cm in length)
• 3 cups of vodka
• 600ml ginger ale
• The juice of two limes
• Crushed ice

Instructions:

1. You will need to prepare the cranberry vodka infusion 3 days before you intend to make the Cranberry Orange Mule. 
2. Combine the cranberries, sugar, orange peel and water in a saucepan and bring to boil. 
3. When the cranberries pop open, remove from heat and combine the mix with the vodka in a heatproof jar. Seal it and let it sit at room temperature for 3 days (or longer).
4. Combine the infused vodka with all other ingredients in a shaker. 
5. Pour over crushed ice and garnish as desired. 

The Jägermeister Orange Mule

Serves: 1

Ingredients:

• 40ml Jägermeister
• 100ml ginger ale
• The juice of 1/2 lime
• 40ml orange juice

Instructions:

1. Fill a glass with ice and prepare to build your layered cocktail. 
2. Start with orange juice, then add the Jägermeister. Follow this by charging with ginger ale, and top with the fresh squeezed lime. 
3. Use a stirrer to combine all ingredients before drinking.

The Kombucha Orange Mule

Serves: 2

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup ginger flavored kombucha*
• 1/2 cup fresh blood orange juice (or regular orange juice)
• 1 cup ginger ale
• 1/2 cup vodka
• The juice of two limes

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and pour over ice. 
2. Garnish with slices of blood orange or lime wedges.

*Experiment with other flavors of kombucha depending on your palette preference 

The Pomegranate Orange Mule

Serves: 1

Ingredients:

• 100ml ginger ale
• 40ml fresh orange juice
• 80ml juiced pomegranate 
• 40ml vodka
• A stalk of fresh rosemary

Instructions:

1. Fill a glass halfway with ice. 
2. Insert the rosemary stalk upright into the ice and then fill the rest of the glass with more ice, so that the stalk is embedded. 
3. Use a shaker to combine all ingredients and pour into the glass.
4. Top with pomegranate seeds or any other desired garnish.

The Orange Cinnamon Mule

Serves: 1

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of cold water
• 4 cinnamon sticks
• 1 cup of sugar
• 60ml vodka
• 80ml fresh orange juice
• 100ml ginger ale

Instructions:

1. Combine water, sugar and cinnamon sticks in a small pot.
2. Bring to the boil and then simmer at medium heat for 10 minutes. 
3. Remove and cool. 
4. Remove cinnamon sticks and stir the syrup mixture. Store in refrigerator. 
5. Fill a glass with ice.
6. Combine vodka, orange juice and 15ml of the cinnamon syrup into the glass. 
7. Charge with ginger ale and top with a cinnamon stick and orange wedge. Stir well before drinking.

Summary

Well, there you have it! 7 great recipes for the Orange Mule you can try out with your friends and family. The best thing about the Orange Mule is its versatility - you can experiment and create your own version. As long as you keep the ingredients fresh and the combinations simple, you are bound to create something delicious. Have fun and enjoy!

Did You Enjoy This Article?

Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this article, you might also like the following articles: White Russian Mule and Best Pumpkin Spice Moscow Mule Recipe

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