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.
Table of contents
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
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
Yes, but then the drink won't be a Mule. It will, however, still be delicious.
In short, whatever you like! I often use Bulleit bourbon in my mules, but you should try a few and see what you like.
Sure! I'd recommend mixing a larger batch of the apple cider, lime juice, and bourbon (just scale the amounts up according to however many drinks that you want to make). Then, you can pour this into each individual glass and top them off with the ginger beer.
Share your creations and follow me on social media!
Subscribe to the A Nerd Cooks Newsletter to have updates sent straight to your inbox.
I love seeing when you share my recipes! Please tag me on Instagram @anerdcooks so I can enjoy them virtually with you! You can also find me on Pinterest, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter.
I'd love to know what you thought of this recipe! Don't forget to leave a comment and ⭐️ star rating below!
The Recipe
✨ Recipe
Kentucky Mule
Ingredients
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 3 ounces apple cider
- 3 ounces ginger beer
- ½ lime juiced
- apple slice for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a copper mug over ice, add the bourbon, apple cider, ginger beer, and lime juice. Stir gently.
- Garnish the mug with a thin apple slice, if you're feeling fancy.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclaimer: Nutritional information is a generated estimate and is not guaranteed to be accurate.
Pin this recipe for later!
bluecrabmartini
LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS! What a great drink for this time of year. I'm totally digging your new DIY back drop too. Definitely in need of some new photo props myself, so I'm headed over to check out the tutorial you suggested.
A_Nerd_Cooks
Thank you!! The backdrop tutorial is so easy. Can't wait to make a few more!
Chelsea @ A Duck's Oven
First of all, that background is fantastic! I'm really excited to make something like that once I'm back in the US. It looks so good! Second of all, your pictures are gorgeous! Third of all, I love and adore this cocktail recipe. These flavors are right up my alley!
A_Nerd_Cooks
Thank you (x3)!! Not sure how readily available apple cider etc. is in SA, but if you get to try this out, I hope you love it!
Amy (Savory Moments)
What a fantastic fall drink this is! I love the flavors in it and will definitely need to give it a try.
A_Nerd_Cooks
Hi Amy! I hope you love it as much as I do!
bluecrabmartini
I've shared this as my "Friday Happy Hour" feature this week! I know my readers will love it too 🙂
A_Nerd_Cooks
Aw, that is awesome, thank you! I hope they love it as much as I do.
Melissa
Sounds delicious! I love mules in general, and I love the sound of one with cider. And totally agree on the Fever Tree, that stuff is so good. This may be my new fall drink.
Melissa
Sounds delicious! I love mules in general, and I love the sound of one with cider. And totally agree on the Fever Tree, that stuff is so good. This may be my new fall drink.
Anne|Craving Something Healthy
I just recently discovered Mule drinks and I'm so in love with them! Can't wait to try this variation and your others!
laurenpacek
They're one of my favorites! (as if you couldn't tell 😉 ) I hope you love them all.
Elsie S. Stewart
I tried this recipe and it's really good. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to try the recipe.
laurenpacek
Thank you so much, Elsie!!