Last Updated on May 21, 2021 by laurenpacek

The Kentucky Mule is the official cocktail of Fall in my house. They're spicy and sweet, but not too sweet. It's a fun and delicious riff on the classic Moscow Mule cocktail.

I generally make them make them individually, but this would be an easy drink to make in larger quantities and serve in a pitcher. Perfect for parties!

Seriously, as soon as apple cider shows up in the grocery store, it's a safe bet that I'm making and drinking these.

What is a Kentucky Mule?

A classic Moscow Mule (which interestingly was invented in the U.S., rather than Russia) is made from vodka, lime juice, and ginger beer. It's typically served in a distinctive copper mug.

A Kentucky Mule, on the other hand, is a delicious riff on the classic cocktail. The Kentucky Mule swaps bourbon for the vodka and adds sweet and seasonal apple cider.

The "Kentucky" aspect of this drink is the bourbon. The state is known for bourbon production; 95% of the world's bourbon is produced in Kentucky!

Ingredients

• Bourbon: Bourbon is a uniquely American product. It's a type of whiskey that, by law, must be made in the U.S. from at least 51% corn, and must be aged in new charred oak barrels.
• Apple cider: Make sure that you're grabbing apple cider and not apple juice. Though it's most prevalent in the Fall and Winter months, you can usually find apple cider in your grocery store all year round.
• Lime juice: Freshly squeezed, please!
• Ginger beer: Ginger beer is a non-alcoholic, carbonated beverage that's sweet, spicy, and full of ginger flavor. Different brands vary in terms of sweetness and spiciness, so try a few to find what you like best. I'm a Fever Tree kinda gal (though Goslings and Bundaberg are often in my fridge, as well).
• Garnish: Garnishes are always optional, but I think a thin slice of apple looks really nice when perched on the edge of your copper mug. Bonus: it's a little snack.

How to make a Kentucky Mule

Moscow Mules are built in the glass out of which you'll drink them, so there's minimal cleanup involved (I'm always a fan of this).

Start by filling your copper mug (or whatever you plan on drinking out of) with ice. I tend to favor crushed ice for mules, but use whatever you like. You can see that I went with bullet ice in the photos. It's all good.

Pour the apple cider, lime juice, and bourbon over the ice. Top everything off with ginger beer and give it all a gentle stir.

If you're feeling fancy (and let's be honest, you are), garnish your drink with a thin slice of apple. I like to cut it so that you can see the star shape where the apple seeds live in the apple core. Just make sure to discard the seeds.

Recommended tools

• Copper mugs
• Cocktail jigger
• Bar spoon

More Moscow Mule recipes

You need more mules in your life, I just know it.

• Mexican Moscow Mule from A Nerd Cooks
• Limoncello Moscow Mule from Home Sweet Table
• Caramel Apple Moscow Mules from A Nerd Cooks
• Fresh Peach Moscow Mule from Burrata and Bubbles
• Bourbon Moscow Mules from A Nerd Cooks
• Raspberry Moscow Mule from The Littlest Crumb
• Irish Mules from A Nerd Cooks
• Apple Cinnamon Moscow Mule from Dude that Cookz

FAQs/Tips and tricks

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