If you like gin, you'll love these top six recipes for the Gin-Gin Mule and the Gin Mule, which are delicious twists on the classic Moscow Mule. Get your cocktail glasses ready and let's dive in!
The Gin-Gin Mule
Since the introduction of the Moscow Mule in the first half of the 20th century, cocktail enthusiasts from all over the world have tweaked the recipe here and there, resulting in hundreds of variations, including many with gin.
One of the most popular variations of the Gin Mule is known as the Gin-Gin Mule, which was introduced in 2000 by Audrey Saunders —the owner of The Pegu Club in New York City.
Basically, Saunders’s creation is a crossover between a mojito, which is a drink with rum, and a Moscow Mule—a vodka drink. Gin replaces vodka and rum. On the other hand, ginger beer, which is an integral part of a gin Moscow Mule, is used to make sure that the bittersweet flavor of gin doesn’t dominate the drink.
In making the first glass of Gin-Gin drink, Saunders used homemade ginger beer, which is preferred by many even today. This is because it has a stronger flavor than commercial ginger beer that is carbonated.
Besides gin and ginger beer, the Gin-Gin Mule includes lime juice, which is an essential ingredient in any Mule.
Gin-Gin Mule Recipes
One of the most exciting things about the Gin-Gin Mule is that it’s quite easy to make. All you need is a few ingredients, a glass, a shaker, and, within a few minutes, your drink will be ready. Here are some easy recipes you can put together in a matter of minutes:
Classic Gin Gin Mule Recipe
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Serves: 1
Ingredients:
- 4 oz ginger beer
- 1½ oz gin
- 1 oz simple syrup
- ¾ oz lime juice
- 8 mint leaves
- Mint sprig
Instructions:
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle the mint leaves. This helps to release their flavors and aroma. Add the simple syrup and lime to the muddled mint.
- Add gin and ice to the mixture, then shake well.
- Put ice in a highball glass, then strain the gin, lime, and mint mixture into it.
- Top with ginger beer.
- Enjoy!
Classic Gin-Gin Mule for 30 Cocktails
Serves: 30
Ingredients:
- 45 oz gin
- 32 oz ginger beer, homemade
- 32 oz simple syrup
- 23 oz fresh lime juice
- 6 bundles mint for muddling and garnish
Instructions:
- In a mixing glass, add the simple syrup, lime juice, and mint. Muddle well to extract the essence of the mint leaves.
- Add ginger beer, gin, and ice into the mixture.
- Garnish with mint and serve.
To make the process of preparing this drink for many people more convenient, premix the drinks and store them in the refrigerator. Since you’ll be using freshly squeezed lime juice, be careful not to prepare the drink too early as it may lose its flavor. With the drinks ready, all you’ll need to do is serve them in glasses and then garnish.
For both of these recipes, London Dry Gin comes highly recommended. It provides just the right amount of spiciness, one that will be balanced out by the lime and not get lost in the ginger beer.
In this Gin-Gin Mule cocktail recipe, you’ll notice that we have used homemade ginger beer. There's nothing quite like homemade ginger beer. It delivers a fizzy burn and an aromatic flush. Besides, there's no sterilization required, and you can play about with the ingredients. Here's a simple recipe for making it.
How to Prepare Homemade Ginger Beer
To make your homemade ginger beer, you’ll require:
- 1 qt water
- Fresh ginger, unpeeled
- ½ oz lime juice
- 2 tbsp light brown sugar
Instructions:
- Finely grate the unpeeled ginger. Boil the water in a pot then turn off the heat. Add the grated ginger and ½ oz lime juice into the water.
- Cover the pot and leave the mixture for an hour.
- Add the light brown sugar and stir well.
- Strain the mixture into a container. Press the ginger to extract all flavor.
- Allow the mixture to cool, then store in a bottle.
- Shake well before every use.
When stored in the refrigerator, your ginger beer will maintain its flavor for about two weeks. The sooner you use it, the better since it will eventually begin to ferment. Note that this kind of ginger beer will have a cloudy appearance.
The Gin-Gin Mule, thanks to the herbs, has a cooling flavor. It's a great summer drink when you need to cool down on a hot day. If you’ve already prepared your ginger beer, then all you’ll need is a bottle of gin, lime, and mint, and you can make your drink right away. Remember, when making your Mule with gin it’s best to use fresh mint and lime juice. This will give your cocktail maximum flavor and aroma.
Other Variations of the Gin Mule
Just like the Gin-Gin drink is a variation of the Moscow Mule, so does the Gin Mule have many of its own creative variations. Here are a few:
The Apple Gin Mule
Apple juice or apple cider will bring a tartness to the flavor of your drink. However, if you want it to be more pronounced, you should consider using cider. While the Gin Mule is a favorite among summer drinks, the Apple Gin mule is quite popular during fall. As a plus, apples are rich in phytochemicals, which are strong antioxidants. Enjoying Apple Gin Mule cocktails in moderation can, therefore, help you decrease the risk of some chronic diseases.
Celery and Cucumber Gin Mule
Nothing screams of crisp and fresh than a cucumber. Cucumber drinks are popular for quenching thirst during the hot months, and you can effectively add them to your mule, together with a celery syrup.
To make your celery syrup, mix ¾ cup of water, 2 celery stalks, and sugar in a saucepan. Let the mixture simmer over medium heat, then reduce to low heat once bubbles start to appear. After 5 minutes, let it cool and strain. You can keep your celery syrup fit for use for up to a week by putting it in the refrigerator.
Once you add the cucumber to this syrup, you can top up your Gin Mule with the mixture and enjoy a refreshing drink.
Peach and Gin Mule
If you want to try a more fruity flavor for your Gin Mule, you can replace the lime juice with peach juice. This will bring a sweet, acidic tang to the flavor of the drink.
Gooseberry Gin Mule
This is one variation that brings a lot of variety and fun. Gooseberries add an amazing sharp tang to the flavors and successfully complement the ginger flavor. When paired with muddled mint, the result is a refreshing drink perfect for that hot summer day.
To make it, you’ll need 50 ml Gooseberry gin liqueur, 25 ml lime vodka liqueur, fresh mint leaves, and ginger ale. To prepare, put the lime vodka liqueur and gooseberry gin liqueur into a cocktail shaker with a generous handful of fresh mint and lots of ice. Then, shake thoroughly until properly cooled, and until the mint is well muddled. Next, add more ice into a Collins glass and pour in the mixture. Use ginger ale to top up the glass. Finally, add a sprig of mint, then serve.
How to Serve Your Gin Mule
The best way to serve your Gin Mule is on the rocks. This helps to chill your drink, making it all the more enjoyable. As for where to serve it, you can use a highball glass, Collins glass, or, in true Mule cocktail fashion, a copper mug. Copper mugs keep the drink chilled for longer without affecting its flavor.
Benefits of Drinking Gin Mules
Apart from keeping you cool during the hot months, a glass of Gin Mule also comes loaded with other benefits if you drink in moderation. Here are some of them:
- The main ingredient used in making gin is juniper berries. These are high in nutrients and contain both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The berries can boost immune function by fighting off illnesses such as heart disease. They also have antiseptic properties, which can help relieve lung congestion and coughs.
- Herbs used during gin production can be beneficial for individuals with digestion issues. They promote the secretion of digestive enzymes and stomach acid, both of which help in the breaking down of food. Ginger beer, which is also a main ingredient for the Gin Mule, plays an important role in digestion. Ginger has phenolic compounds that stimulate bile and saliva production, while also relieving gastrointestinal irritation. This helps in smooth digestion and preventing constipation.
A Gin Mule is rich in antioxidants that prevent cellular oxidative damage. In turn, this keeps your skin younger for longer by fighting signs of aging.
Freedom to Create
If you’re enthusiastic about cocktails, the recipes here will come in handy when you want to explore the various types of Mules you can make. As seen with the apple, peach, gooseberries, and celery and cucumber variations, anything from fruits to herbs to vegetables can give you refreshing results. Don’t be afraid to try out new ingredients or ways of making your drink. After all, that’s how Audrey Sanders was able to make what is now a world-renowned cocktail.
Did You Enjoy This Article?
Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this article, you might also like the following articles: Best 4 Peach Mule Recipes and Top 7 Whiskey Mule Recipes
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