The big MULE episode: history, recipe, & tasting 12 drinks!

This week I'm showing you how I make my Moscow Mule! I'm also going to experiment with other spirits than vodka because I have a theory they'll all work plugged into this recipe. The Moscow Mule shares the same template as a buck: spirit, citrus, and ginger beer (or ale). Why is the Moscow Mule called a mule instead of a buck? It might be the traditional copper cup it's served in, it might just be brilliant marketing. It's probably both. The history of this drink is an interesting one that varies depending on the storyteller. I'll cover this and test to see if my theory is correct by making twelve different mules! Why not? Cheers everyone!
Use code "ANDERSSUMMER" to receive your discount at Liber & Co.! 👉 bit.ly/3JCP9GQ
Check out my collection on Curiada for my go-to bottles! 👉 bit.ly/greatcocktails
Check us out on Patreon: / anderserickson
Video/editing/illustrations by Azusa Inaba 🎥 🎨
TIME STAMPS
Intro: 0:00
The History: 0:50
Copper Mug Safety: 3:06
The Booze: 3:38
The Recipe: 4:32
Mule Madness: 5:25
Sips: 6:05
Top 3: 11:40
Sign off: 12:06
THE MOSCOW MULE RECIPE 4:32
2 oz. (60 ml) Valentine Vodka
3/4 oz. (22.5 ml) fresh lime juice
2-3 dashes Angostura Aromatic Bitters (depending dasher bottle size)
4-5 oz. (120-150 ml) ginger beer OR spicy ginger ale
Large mint sprig (several in my case) for garnish
THE TOOLS
My workhorse double jigger: amzn.to/3lmmKrK
Bar spoon: amzn.to/3wkkDhg
Dasher bottles (set of 3): amzn.to/3iKjbNE
Hand juicer: amzn.to/3ioOwFe
Rubber bar mat (6"x12"): amzn.to/3h2IJER
Moscow Mule Mugs (pack of 4): amzn.to/3Ps4Pji
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[@AndersErickson]

Try it with bitters - it's good in there! Which mule are you gonna make?

[@azzwort]

Wisconsin Mule 1 oz Angostura bitters

[@kev-vin]

I've been making Jamaican mules all week after picking up some Appleton estate and been loving it. Before that my go to was the Kentucky mule -- I just picked up a new bottle of buffalo trace so that will likely be on the menu tonight!

[@kurtrosenthal6313]

I made a Bohemian mule it’s great. Unfortunately I don’t have copper mugs though, I noticed yours look like they have a stainless steel inside. Would you recommend stainless still insides over pure copper mugs? Does it even make a difference?

[@katidid121082]

Ever since I tried a mule with raspberry vodka, I never really want to use "plain" vodka anymore. I know that's not very out of the box compared to what you created, but it's very refreshing, especially in the summer. Thanks for the fun video!

[@gabrielafrancois7175]

Oooo as a Jamaican, I have to try the Jamaican Mule... :D and definitely the British Mule since I know Gin goes so well in cocktails. Never tried it with Ango though! Looking forward to experimenting with that. Love your videos and the permission you and Az always give to put our own spin on the classics. Drink what you like! Cheers!!

[@jonathanfennell5628]

From someone who used to work QA at a company that made copper mugs, something that people need to be aware of is you NEVER put a wheel of citrus (or anything) on the rim of your mug. that rolled edge will capture little bits of it that will then start to make all your drinks taste like rotten fruit.

[@jennifermiller4]

Is it ok to put a lime wedge inside the copper mug?

[@josels1292]

It’s copper, citrus strips copper from metals. It’s a very slow process but that might be the bad taste.

[@jonathanfennell5628]

@@josels1292 oh it was for sure bits of citrus under the rolled lip. we found the little rotten bits.

[@williamharmon495]

My all-time favorite mule is made with Mezcal! The ginger and lime against the smoke is balanced perfection.

[@carolinam747]

Try it with pineapple juice as well, it's delicious!

[@Coasterdude02149]

That sounds awesome! I love Mezcal

[@johnnyfriendly2294]

i think that's called a oaxaca mule

[@williamharmon495]

Oaxacan Burro? Let’s get that going 😂

[@jaimethiessen]

Oaxacan Mula

[@Faxius87]

The Jamaican Mule is basically a Dark n Stormy, and those are delicious! (Yes, I know it's trademarked) Great vid as always, Anders! I bet all those sips made an impact

[@fletcherallen3478]

Sorry this comment is illegal. Go straight to jail

[@DJ-fn3jm]

Make it a Stark & Dormy like the Kain Piller!!!

[@Gandarf_]

@@fletcherallen3478 No 'n, so no jail today

[@artgreen6915]

Was just going to ask the difference and saw your comment, thanks.

[@VanGoreYT]

It's Dark 'n Stura...and therefore not protected :) Or I may protect that right now! Probably very good with 1.5 OZ of Plantation O.F.T.D

[@wparedes]

As a peruvian, what you call a peruvian mule we call it Chilcano (some bars put a little simple syrup on it). Greetings from Lima, Peru! 🇵🇪

[@angieagreda328]

I was coming to make this same comment! I would love it if you made a pisco sour in one of your episodes! 😊🇵🇪

[@zonkabe]

Nope, chilcano is with ginger ale, this has ginger beer, different kind of spicy. Ya pe perú, no me dejes mal.

[@frederickheard2022]

@@zonkabe He literally shows the bottle of ginger ale he uses in the video

[@zonkabe]

@@frederickheard2022 pretty sure he used ginger beer! It's ok, let's just drink and be happy. Cheers bro

[@barstoolbanter7212]

I've said for years that the worst part of a Moscow Mule is the vodka. It just brings nothing to the table. We used to play a game called "Around the World" that was basically just this episode. Throw some japanese whiskey and Midori with ginger and lime, you got a Japanese mule. Swap it for rye, absinthe and peychauds and you've got a Cajun mule. I think at this point we've done just about everywhere you could think of.

[@duncanjohannessen2919]

What did you do for a Canadian mule? Rye whiskey and a dash of maple syrup?

[@barstoolbanter7212]

@@duncanjohannessen2919 Canadian whiskey and maple bitters 👍

[@alexpghayes]

What ratios did you use for the those? Have some Midori I would love to try this with

[@barstoolbanter7212]

@@alexpghayes it's been a while since we did that one but I would probably go 1.5 oz whiskey to .5 oz midori, and then about 4 oz ginger beer and a good squeeze of lime or lemon.

[@SandTiger42]

Funny enough I lived in Japan for a number of years, and every Moscow mule I ever ordered/drank at a bar was made from Gin. I never knew it was supposed to be vodka.

[@Soundpolitic]

Point of information. A Mule made with Scotch whisky is known as a Mamie Taylor. This was one of the first cocktails to made using the spirit + citrus + ginger beer template, dating all the way back to the 1890's. It's awesome with just a blended Scotch and, as your video shows, gets even more awesome when using a single malt. Cheers!

[@AndersErickson]

Love this. Thanks for sharing! Cheers, Colin!

[@idickman]

Honestly it's a missed opportunity to not call it a Glasgow Mule

[@ChristopherOdegard]

I can highly recommend a Montenegro Mule made with Amaro Montenegro (3 parts ginger ale, 2 parts amaro, 1 part lime). A fantastic Bolognese treat.

[@aaakuj]

Here in Brazil, it's hard to find ginger beer (and expensive, when you find) and ginger ale is not that common too. A bartender, Marcelo Serrano, started to use a ginger-lime foam made in a iSi can as substitute of the ginger beer/ginger ale over 10 years ago and it's a hit. If you are in Brazil and order a Moscow Mule at any bar, you'll receive a copper mug with a white spicy foam. It's really good, but sometimes very sweet. You should try this sometime! Cheers!! 🥂 Fun facts: Marcelo Serrano is the responsible of every bar have at least one iSi can; There's a lot of variations of "Mules", Brazil has lots of fresh fruits and it's usual to mix in cocktails with different types of foams; Foams now are overused, I started to hate it hahahah

[@scottmaurice1233]

Ginger beer is extremely easy to make if you can find the ginger (I’m not sure if it as ubiquitous in Brazil as it is in the US). There are tons of good recipes online.

[@mikornacki]

I would also recommend a Milwaukee Mule which uses Ginger Brandy. It is super spicy and a great winter warmer cocktail.

[@marcschubert139]

I have a bar by me that I frequent that makes a "Mezcal Mule" and it's fantastic the smokey Mezcal plays really nice with the lime and ginger. By far my favorite type of Mule.

[@go1988]

I was about to say that! I bought my first Mezcal - the Vida - and did not expect ust how smokey it is. I thought it might go well with ginger, so I put it in a mule. I don't use 2oz becuase I feel the smoke flavour would be overwhelming. I like to add a bit of Fireball for sweetness and the cinnamon spice (:

[@marcschubert139]

@@go1988 I'm going to have to try the Fireball mixed in there, that sounds really good. Only thing is I'll have to use actual ginger beer because when I make them at home I use Blenheim Hot ginger ale and I think that mixed with the heat from Fireball would be too much.

[@scottlei4]

Love the channel Anders! Thanks for keeping it interesting and updating my ever growing list of cocktails to try.

[@GoaConstrictor]

Love this! Would love more videos breaking down, swapping out components of drinks, and testing them =)

[@zwanzigtagede]

What I love most about these videos is, how you ease up during the tasting process and are an even happier version of yourself in the end :D

[@ChemistryTalkwithDan]

Dude, that was a lot of fun! You definitely inspired me to try this myself. Especially the tequila and rum versions. And I concur that the Liber & Co ginger syrup is delicious, but a little goes a long way as it's really intense. Cheers my friend!

[@billchandler9162]

OMG! What fun your videos are, love the history, humor and building plus Az adds to the reviews. We have always enjoyed mules now to try a few more!! Thank you!

[@kevind.3389]

This was great. I recently discovered a campari mule, because I love campari, and its now my favorite refreshing easy drink. I'm very pleased to see this formula works with most bottles and I'm excited to try many of my bottles with it.

[@rafaelsimao6383]

In Brazil ginger ale/beer are not readily available, so the moscow mule is usually made with vodka, simple syrup + lemon juice, topped with spicy ginger/lime foam and some mint leaves. You should try it! Just make sure the foam is not too sweet :)

[@SauloASFS]

Here in Brazil we have a completely different version that became what most people know as "Moscow Mule". Nowadays is probably one of the most requested cocktails on fancier bars. Since ginger ale is not a common ingredient the creator of this version used a ginger foam with vodka and lime. You could try it out of you have an old whipper lying around!

[@brianbrettel567]

Perfect timing Anders! Just got some mule mugs for my birthday! Can’t wait to try one (or 12) of these! Cheers!

[@AndersErickson]

Happy birthday, Brian! Cheers to you!

[@marcelpaquet8134]

Adding a dash or two of orange bitters (in addition to angostura) to the Islay Mule is gonna lift it to another level. Now my favourite Mule! Thank you Anders! I never would have guessed islay scotch in a mile would be so amazing!

[@mariannedressler6784]

Can’t wait to try some of these variations!!! You guys are so fun!

[@CzyDe]

Yesterday I tried something I found under name of Italian Mule: Cynar, Amaro Montenegro, lime juice, ginger beer Nice as digestiff for hot weather

[@hennakaren]

A use for my Cynar! Thanks for the tip!

[@nicola3540]

Sounds good, thanks,I’ll be trying it!

[@SabreAce33]

Love the history! Most of the other cocktail content creators I watch regularly have left it behind and that bums me out.

[@paulabugattas7483]

Nice job!!! So many ideas - bravo I’m going for the Pisco and Absinthe immediately.

[@ilovetwilightsagggaa]

Love this vid Anders I was thoroughly entertained

[@Iced8888]

Must admit I love the timestamps as its nice to come back to a video and find the recipe or rehear history.

[@powerfade11]

Awesome stuff - I love your experiments!! Helps me understand flavours and combinations, and the character of some spirits I haven't tasted. Cool.

[@beebobox]

My favorite is a pink gin buck, using strawberry infused gin, also use that gin for the basil smash .. lemon basil and strawberry gin go so well together.

[@russflynn]

Love this episode! More experiments like this would be awesome to see!

[@ramita1607]

I look up to you so much! Thank you for all the knowledge and thank you for existing ✨👊🏼

[@lionelhutt9119]

one of my favorite summer cocktails is 1oz Rye 1oz Laphroaig dash of bitters ginger beer the smoke and spice pair really well with the ginger

[@rickdankert779]

Anders and Az, your honest reactions tell me all I need to know, you both are the best

[@robertwatson4840]

Anders, I love your content so much. You’ve become my favorite cocktail channel on KZbin. I love your specs for drinks and how you get into the history of every drink. Please, please, please do not let your channel devolve into clickbait BS that doesn’t involve you focusing on a specific cocktail like you do. Thank you so much for your content. Bravo.

[@dominicgerman5908]

I’m so glad Smith & Cross made an appearance and I’m so glad it ranked in your top 3. That rum is truly outstanding.

[@nathanhowe3553]

Definitely gonna try some of those variants. Your reaction with the Malort had me dying. Great video as always.

[@blackimp]

What a great video! Thanks!

[@tamassimon9805]

We made one with ouzo, and the "greek mule" was really nice. The anise and ginger are excellent together.

[@filmsaavy]

This was one of my favorite of your videos! How fun! I had no idea there were so many variations on the mule. Oh, and I love the new hair cut! You and Az are adorable!!

[@kevinashworth6256]

I loved this video, Anders & Az! Switching base spirits is so much fun and I’ve never seen it done so many times in one video. I’m headed camping this week and bourbon and ginger beer is my favorite camp drink. I’ll have to bring my bottle of Angostura to up my camp cocktail game. Cheers!

[@stevenmcelroy1551]

Had no idea. Thanks Guys

[@BanjoSick]

I love the history, always the best part!!!

[@andhag]

Kentucky Buck is probably my favorite. Very similar to the Kentucky Mule but with some strawberries to add some fruity flavors. And it's got the angostura already in the recipe. Yum!

[@Stoneagerer]

The 2 amari that we use A LOT for mules where I work (Italy) are Montenegro and Cynar, they are on the sweeter side and I usually go for 1.5 oz. They are amazing after dinners and aperitifs. Definitely got me curious on the bourbon and absinthe, gonna try them out!

[@coreymcmillen381]

Anders is definitely feeling it haha, awesome video man.

[@theawkwardexpert]

Wow a full guide to mules. I love it!

[@user-bh3bw5sg9q]

My favorite drink by far. And Cock and Bull ginger beer is my favorite ginger beer to make it with, I had no idea it was a bar! Learn something new every video.

[@SBeckerDTD]

Prairie Cucumber vodka is a great choice! I love playing with mule recipes.

[@barstoolbanter7212]

Try a couple slices of muddled cucumber with gin. I've seen it called a London Fog, it's pretty great too!

[@berniersbar9885]

This is one of my favourite videos you’ve made! Malort can not taste good in a drink haha. I have it in my bar purely to see peoples reactions 😂. Great as always! ❤

[@OussOussDog]

Made an Irish Mule with Irish Whisky at work for one of our St. Patrick’s Day drinks, thing basically sold itself. I added a few mint leaves into the drink itself and that really elevated the lime and ginger-y flavour. Love the vids! Sending love from Australia 🇦🇺

[@MrWhangdoodles]

Wow, now I really need to buy some ginger beer. The Jamaican and French Mule really intrigue me. I have those same bottles at home, so once I'm back to being healthy I need to try those. Thanks for the great video! I wish you a fantastic weekend!

[@AndersErickson]

Hope you're starting to feel better, Joonha! Cheers to you!

[@conantf]

My favorite!!!!!!!!! Finally!!!! ❤️

[@soundhealingbygene]

i love mules. this is top quality work and presentation

[@SladeRenegade]

The number 1 deciding factor in a mule is the ginger element you choose. It will absolutely make or break the cocktail. Smirnoff vodka, Fever Tree ginger beer, fresh lime juice and a dash of simple syrup is my go to recipe. Will definitely try some of these others you made, thank you.

[@TheOverlord100]

In Hamburg, Germany we have a nice variant called "Hamburg Mule" that quite a few Bars have on their Menu. It's made with a very famous local caraway seed Schnaps. One of my favourites besides Mezcal Mule.

[@user-ev3ex7ey6g]

Great job Anders! (as usual)

[@nicompton]

Oh Anders, your face when the Malort hit! Fun video as always, and I will definitely be trying some of these! Thanks!

[@dustums]

As always great video. Loved having so many variations to think about. Love the history, but you ain't he boss of me, Anders. I watched the history at normal speed, but watched it twice!

[@AndersErickson]

Haha even better!

[@rocinante217]

Really cool to see how different base spirits affect the drink. Nice video as always, Anders!

[@AndersErickson]

Cheers, David!

[@Chill1332]

I don't usually get drinks when I'm out. I'm usually a 'stick something in my coffee, tea or soda while I'm watching a movie' kind of person. So I don't know many classic drinks. However, recently I ended up being given a bar seat in a very busy hamburger place. All the bottles and glasses were so cool and fun looking I couldn't help but buy a drink. As I'm not familiar with drink names I asked for "something sweet with whisky". The lady gave me a Kentucky Mule and it was SO GOOD! Just....amazing. Thanks for this video! I can make it at home now. 😃 Going to check out more of your channel. I like that you add the history....or....possible history in there.

[@LaHNAB]

I love when Az shows up! thanks for sharing that... I'll try with a bunch of different botles I have here...

[@arbelliinforma8568]

In brasil became very popular a kind of mule with foam of ginger instead of ginger Ale. Its very tasty and a lot of pubs are doing this !

[@bulbophyllumechinolabium4315]

I had a Monte Mule recently. Made with Montenegro Amaro. Definitely worth a try. Really smooth and great for summer. Great show as usual.

[@michaelhealy1590]

AZ is great! And you are a piece of work and that is a great asset. Love your approach and how you think out of the box! Keep in going!

[@ArianVik_Art]

Perfect timing, as always! :-)

[@melissamiles107]

Fernet mule made! 👌🏼😍 Thanks Anders!

[@FalkiPL]

Love this vid ❤️ and tasting honesty is really, really cool 😎

[@stockicide]

This video just shows how underrated ginger beer and ginger ale are. They mix well with almost anything. Ginger ale is also useful if you've got a bottle of wine in the fridge that's starting to turn - make a 50/50 wine and ginger ale mix and the sour taste of the wine gets covered up nicely.

[@titaniabell6680]

Thank you for all these variations !! Mescal works just as good, nice and smokey flavors 😋 👌. Cheers 🍻

[@the.jamie.turner]

One of my favorite mules I’ve ever had is the “pistols at dawn” at Culinary Dropout. It’s bourbon, ginger, lime, and ancho reyes with a splash of cabernet on top and a chili salt rim. It’s super pretty, and the warm, spicy/smoky flavor is incredible.

[@maquinas2000]

YES.............Thank you!!

[@gregsoucie]

Awesome. I managed to grab a bottle of Smith and Cross on a recent cross-border trip and must try it in a mule now. I usually use different rums but I'm looking forward to trying the S&C in this. Wish I could get it regularly as I find it super handy. Great for Tiki and punches up a split -base rum drink really well.

[@thenorthroom5614]

Love it! My two favorite Mule variations are the Bolt Action, which I had IN Chicago at Girl and the Goat (involving bourbon and orange bitters and no Malort) and the Latin Manhattan, at Rhumbar in Vegas (involving aged rum and Velvet falernum). I know what I'm having this afternoon....cheers!

[@Sgt_Kal]

My favorite is a Glasgow Mule. I use Famous Grouse, and then add St Germain, about 5 dashes of Ango, lemon juice, and then top with the ginger beer. Subtle differences in flavor, but great for summer.

[@MrMoney331]

Might have to try some of these variations tonight!

[@woko5078]

I worked in a Bar in the French Alps where we were making the « Mountain Mule » a mule with Chartreuse verte (green chartreuse) a once or a once and a half is far enough since it’s 55* and I found it delightful especially with angostura !

[@barry_t]

As an absinthe lover, thank you for including it in this experiment... :)

[@pinkpanther8427]

Wow. Just wow! I like Bourbon alot, but ive never heard of the Kentucky Mule. I mixed it with Makers Mark Burbon, Lemon Juice, 3 dashes Angostura and one Thomas Henry Ginger Ale (because i didnt have any ginger beer left) it was a blast! Never tried with Angostura too, i instantly fell in love with it. thanks alot!

[@ethantalbot1811]

Definitely trying a Plymouth Mule with your recipe, thanks for another fun video

[@jeffreycottam8368]

"A hint of shoe" 9:37 HA!! 🤣 Put it on a t shirt so funny. thanks for all the ideas Anders. Mule, is one of my favs. Sometimes instead of mint I put a sprig of Rosemary. Probably not everyones thing but I love it.

[@DrewRichard]

Kentucky Mule is my go to, but...I got a bottle of Zaya Gran Reserva rum (from Trinidad) and tried it as a mule (semi-dark and stormy) and the vanilla notes on that were spectacular. My new favorite. I could seriously drink them all day, every day.

[@markshoffner3234]

Great stuff Anders. As a Tennessee boy who has acquired a taste for Malort, I will definitely be trying the Chicago Mule. If I don't like it I'll just wash my mouth out with a plain, room temperature shot of Malort. That should do it. (Malort, what soap washes its mouth out with)

[@michaelpurbrick3115]

Great video. Anders is the man, informative, interesting, but above all comes across as an all round good bloke. He would be a good chap to meet up for a beer or even a Mule.

[@carlupthegrove262]

Wow! I just tried it with rum and lemon juice (and bitters) ....what a tasty switch from the traditional. Merci Monsieur

[@nonick17]

Love your channel! Greetings from the Fernet loving land from south!

[@ehcoper]

Made kitty highballs last month they were excellent! Basically replaces the base spirit with red wine. Ginger just goes with everything.

[@benjaminkleine9582]

You missed my favourite one: Chartreuse Mule. The ginger and herbal notes are perfect match ! Thanks for your great job!

[@rebeccabrown1951]

I'm sending this to my friend. Anders might be loaded here. We try numerous cocktails when we get together once a year. Nostalgia.

[@matthewroe4838]

Thanks Anders

[@gilbycoyote]

Moscow mule is probably my favourite cocktail, also it’s the one that got me into this

[@T-Cass]

Had a Mezcal Mule while I was in Chicago. It was amazing!

[@nathanbowman9051]

The face you make when the malort takes over is priceless. Like, haha I made a good malort drink! Nope, no I didn't. Looking forward to trying my mules with bitters though. Thanks again for the videos.

[@kawonewilliams1949]

I appreciate you taking on this monumental task of drinking this much on camera. It awesome that you Kevin Kos and Truffle on the Rocks post on the same day. It's like bat hopping.

[@the_civilproject]

Finally! The best cocktail in this world!

[@estebangutierrezcastillo6711]

The “Peruvian Mule” is basically a Chilcano de Pisco… if it was made using ginger ale… (and without mint garnish) …cheers from Chile! 🤪

[@chrissiebeneck3294]

It was fun!!!

[@TroyBrinson]

I have not finished watching your video yet, but I had to stop the minute you said you were saving Malorts for last. God bless you my son!

[@FreekGille]

Amazing episode! Can't wait to try the Jamaican Mule.

[@OldFashionedWays]

I love a kentucky mule. but I like the way you were thinking and 11 out of 12 is amazing. so keep it up and cheers

[@RomanBeschastnykh]

Greetings from Moscow, Anders! Awesome video!🤘