Ingredients
- 8 Mint Leaves
- 3/4 oz Lime Juice
- 1.5 oz Gin
- 4-5 oz Ginger Beer
Instructions
Muddle:
- In a cocktail shaker, add the mint leaves, lime juice, and simple syrup. Muddle well to release the essence of the herbs.
Add Gin:
- Add 1.5 oz gin to the shaker and fill with ice.
Shake:
- Shake well to combine the ingredients.
Strain:
- Strain the mixture into a highball glass filled with fresh ice. Double straining is recommended if you don't want any small particles or torn herbs in your beverage.
Top with Ginger Beer:
- Top with 4-5 oz ginger beer.
Garnish:
- Garnish with a sprig of mint.
Serve:
- Serve immediately and enjoy your Gin Gin Mule.
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
The Gin Gin Mule is a relatively modern invention, emerging from the craft cocktail scene of the early 2000s. It's widely credited to Audrey Saunders at the legendary Pegu Club in New York City, a bar known for its meticulous approach to classic and original cocktails. It quickly became a signature drink there.
This drink falls squarely into the 'Buck' family, a category defined by a spirit, citrus, and ginger ale or ginger beer. It's a clear cousin to the Moscow Mule, simply swapping the vodka for gin. What sets the Gin Gin Mule apart is the addition of fresh mint and often a touch of simple syrup, making it a more aromatic and slightly sweeter take on the classic ginger beer highball.
You'd typically find a Gin Gin Mule on a well-curated cocktail menu at a reputable bar, or it's an easy one to batch and serve at a summer barbecue. It's a no-brainer for anyone who enjoys gin and wants something lively and thirst-quenching. It's a versatile drink that works equally well on a patio or as a pre-dinner sipper.
What it tastes like
The Gin Gin Mule hits a refreshing trifecta of botanical gin, zesty lime, and spicy ginger beer. The gin's juniper and herbal notes play well with the sharp citrus, while the ginger beer provides a warming kick and effervescence. Fresh mint muddled into the mix adds a vibrant, cooling aroma and taste, balancing the drink's sweetness and spice with a herbaceous lift.
With a typical recipe using around two ounces of 40% ABV gin, a Gin Gin Mule usually clocks in at about 10-12% ABV. That makes it roughly double the strength of a standard light beer. It's a smooth drinker, so don't let its refreshing qualities fool you into thinking it's a session drink. Pace yourself accordingly.
The technique
Building a Gin Gin Mule starts with a light muddle of fresh mint and simple syrup in a shaker. Add gin, fresh lime juice, and plenty of ice, then give it a quick, hard shake. Strain the mixture into a copper mug or highball glass filled with fresh ice. Top it off with a good quality ginger beer and give it a gentle stir to combine. Garnish with a fresh mint sprig.
The key to a great Gin Gin Mule is a gentle muddle. You want to release the mint's oils, not pulverize the leaves into bitter confetti. A few presses are all it takes. Also, don't skimp on the ginger beer; it's half the drink, so use one with a real kick.
Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Gin
- Use
- A classic London Dry like Tanqueray, Beefeater, or Plymouth works perfectly. A more botanical gin like The Botanist or Hendrick's can add another layer of complexity.
- Skip
- Avoid gins with an extremely dominant single botanical that might fight with the ginger and mint, like some heavily cucumber or rose forward options.
- Why
- Gin is the spirit base and its juniper and botanical notes are crucial for the drink's character. It's what differentiates it from a vodka mule, providing a more complex, herbaceous foundation.
Ginger Beer
- Use
- Opt for a robust, spicy ginger beer. Fever-Tree, Q Mixers, or Goslings are solid choices that deliver a proper ginger kick and good carbonation.
- Skip
- Don't use ginger ale; it's too sweet and lacks the necessary bite. Avoid overly mild ginger beers that will get lost in the mix.
- Why
- Ginger beer provides the signature spicy heat, sweetness, and effervescence that defines the 'mule' style. It's a major flavor component and essential for the drink's balance.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink.
Moscow Mule
- The original mule
- Swap the gin for vodka to get the drink that started it all. Keep the lime and ginger beer, ditch the mint unless you want a hybrid.
Gin Buck
- Simpler sibling
- Forget the mint and simple syrup. Just gin, lime, and ginger beer. It's a drier, more direct expression of the gin and ginger combo.
Southside
- Minty gin cousin
- While not a mule, the Southside shares gin, lime, and mint. It's typically shaken and served up with soda water, offering a different effervescent experience.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Use vodka for a Moscow Mule, or a light rum for a refreshing, if slightly different, take.
Ginger ale can work in a pinch, but expect a sweeter, less spicy drink. Add a touch of fresh ginger if you have it.
Bottled lime juice is an option, but use a little less as it's often more concentrated and less vibrant.
The drink becomes a Gin Buck. You can also try a drop of mint extract, but go easy, it's potent.
Any highball glass will do the job just fine. The copper mug is mostly for aesthetics and keeping things cold.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Gin Gin Mule?
A Gin Gin Mule contains gin, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, fresh mint, and is topped with ginger beer. It's often garnished with a mint sprig and a lime wedge.
Is a Gin Gin Mule the same as a Moscow Mule?
No, a Gin Gin Mule uses gin as its base spirit, while a Moscow Mule uses vodka. The Gin Gin Mule also traditionally includes fresh muddled mint, which is optional in a Moscow Mule.
Who invented the Gin Gin Mule?
The Gin Gin Mule is widely attributed to renowned bartender Audrey Saunders, who created it at the Pegu Club in New York City in the early 2000s.
What kind of gin is best for a Gin Gin Mule?
A classic London Dry gin is an excellent choice, but a more botanical or even a slightly citrus-forward gin can also shine, complementing the other flavors.
Why is it called a Gin Gin Mule?
It's called a 'Gin Gin Mule' because it's a 'gin' based drink, it contains 'ginger' (from the ginger beer), and it's a variation of the 'Mule' cocktail family.
Is a Gin Gin Mule a strong drink?
Yes, it's a moderately strong drink. With about two ounces of gin, it's typically around 10-12% ABV, which is stronger than most beers.
Can I make a Gin Gin Mule without mint?
Yes, you can. Without mint and simple syrup, it essentially becomes a Gin Buck, which is still a very refreshing drink but with a different flavor profile.
What's the best ginger beer for this cocktail?
Look for a spicy, robust ginger beer with good carbonation. Brands like Fever-Tree, Q Mixers, or Goslings are excellent choices that will give the drink a proper kick.
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