Last updated on March 31st, 2023

Spicy Mexican Mule Cocktail

If you think Moscow Mules are spicy, you haven’t tried this Spicy Mexican Mule, which has recently become my favourite cocktail. This refreshing and cooling summer drink does not require Ginger Beer, commonly used to make Moscow Mules. 

Instead, tequila and spicy ginger simple syrup are the main superstars of a Mexican Mule. The syrup replaces Ginger Beer which can be higher in carbs. You only need a small amount of ginger syrup to make a luscious Spicy Mexican mule.

Why is Mexican Mule served in Copper Mugs?

Cocktails served in a particular type of glass are done by tradition, just like a bartender would serve a Gin and Tonic in a highball glass and a Pina Colada in a hurricane glass.  

Since its birth in the 1940s, the Moscow Mule has become a signature drink served in a copper vessel and honestly, that is the BEST way to drink this spicy Mexican Mule cocktail. It’s just customary in my opinion.

Some interesting facts about copper are:

Copper, known as the kitchen’s jewelry, has been widely used as a drinking vessel for centuries. 

The Ancient Egyptians used copper to craft all sorts of tools, such as cutlery and kitchen utensils. 

Cultures from Eastern regions adopted the use of copper for medicinal purposes as well.

Some benefits of drinking out of a copper vessel are improving digestion, preventing heart diseases, and reducing cholesterol.

Copper mugs keep cocktails cool.

A brief history of the original Mule Cocktail?

Unanimously, the Moscow Mule’s invention gives credit to a vodka (Smirnoff) distillery owner named John Martin, his buddy Jack, a pub owner and John’s girlfriend, who owned a copperware company. All three met in Jack’s pub to discuss how they could sell vodka, ginger beer and copper mugs -their products, irrespectively, to an uninterested market. 

As a marketing campaign, John advertised polaroid photos of Hollywood celebrities sipping on Moscow Mules from copper mugs. It was named a Mule after the kick you’d get from drinking the newly found cocktail; the ginger beer’s punchy flavour.

Are Copper mugs necessary?

Not at all! If you don’t have copper mugs, going out and buying them is unnecessary. Any cocktail glass will accomplish to enjoy this Spicy Mexican Mule. My copper mugs came free because my hubby works for a company that often rewards employees for their hard work- isn’t that a SPICY deal?

Is Spicy Mexican Mule Low in Carbs?

3g net carbs / 1 serving

The sugar-free ginger simple syrup makes this Mexican Mule spicy. It’s concentrated, so you only need a couple of tablespoons. It replaces ginger beer, traditionally the critical component in any Mule cocktail.

Tequila is one of the purest kinds of alcohol with no carbs. It’s also low in sugar and calories, is keto-friendly and won’t spike blood sugar levels.

A zero-carb Ginger Ale (Zevia) creates some fizz due to the lack of it without ginger beer.

How to make a Spicy Mexican Mule Cocktail

Ingredients

Ice Cubes – Larger the better to keep your Mexican Mule cool longer.

Mexican Red Chili Peppers slices – optional if you want to add heat, Jalapenos work well too.

Sugar-Free Ginger simple Syrup –  for a delicious low-carb cocktail.

Lime Juice – a couple of tablespoons of lime juice brings out the ginger flavour.

Tequila – A good quality pure Agave Tequila.

Ginger Ale – I use the Zevia brand, with zero carbs and zero calories.

Lime and chilli slices – For garnish, leave the chilis if you want it less spicy.

Steps for making Spicy Mexican Mule

Toss ice cubes, fresh chilli slices, ginger syrup, lime juice and tequila in a copper mug or tall glass.

Stir the ingredients together. Add a straw.

Garnish with lime slices and add extra chilli slices for more heat.

How to make this Mexican Mule less Spicy

If you are not a huge fan of chillies and it seems odd to add them to drinks, omit them or carefully remove the seeds; they carry most of the heat in the ginger syrup recipe and the fresh garnish slices. The red chilli peppers give a bright appearance as a garnish, but if you slice them lengthways and remove the seeds, you can add them as a garnish without making your cocktail spicy.

Variations to a Mule Cocktail

If you’re feeling adventurous, try these Mule cocktails. Each has a unique flavour depending on the region it comes from.

Change the Spirit

Jamaican Mule – replace the alcohol portion with Jamaican Rum

Irish Mule – replace the alcohol portion with Irish Whiskey

Kentucky Mule – replace the alcohol portion with Bourbon Whiskey

Gin Buck (or Gin Gin Mule or London Mule – a Moscow Mule made with Gin.

Dark and Stormy – made with Dark Rum.

Change the Flavour

Cherry – add cherry juice or a dash of cherry liqueur.

Cranberry – add cranberry juice.

Oranges – add sugar-free candied orange slices. Garnish with orange slices.

Blackberries – add a dash of blackberry liqueur and garnish with fresh blackberries.

Pomegranate – add pomegranate juice. Garnish with pomegranate.

Did you make this recipe?

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