This drink contains a refreshing combination of ingredients — the herbaceous mint, the tart lime, the hot, spicy ginger, and the crisp, bright gin.
When used in drinks, gin's botanicals have the ability to cut through the sweetness of liqueurs and sugar. The botanicals stimulate the palate and keep it feeling fresh and clean. Gin also pushes flavors "forward" (much the way a squeeze of lemon does) without altering the flavor profiles.
This recipe makes 1 gallon, which yields approximately 25 to 30 drinks, depending on the size of the highball glasses. This sounds like a lot, but it's not. A gallon would go very quickly for a party of 6 people.
For home entertaining, you can premix all of the liquids a couple of hours ahead and then store in the refrigerator. When you're ready to serve the drinks, just mete out the liquid into a mixing glass and muddle a sprig of mint into each. It makes enjoying your own party a lot easier, rather than having to worry about continual prep.
And please, no shortcuts here: Do not presqueeze the lime juice more than only a few hours ahead. It loses its vitality quickly. And do not infuse the mint into this (or any drink). It takes on a funky, vegetal quality, which mars the taste of the drink.
Using commercial ginger beer is not recommended, as it is too sweet. Nonalcoholic note: Without gin, this makes a very refreshing nonalcoholic beverage!
Ingredients
Makes 1 gallon (about 25 to 30 drinks)
Simple Syrup
Gin-Gin Mule
To make Simple Syrup:
Step 1
Measure 1 part water to 1 part superfine sugar into a bottle that has a top. Close the lid and shake well. Let this settle, and then repeat 1 or 2 more times, until all the sugar is dissolved and the syrup is clear.
To make Gin-Gin Mule:
Step 2
Measure the lime juice, Simple Syrup, and mint into a mixing glass. Muddle well to extract the mint's flavor. Add ginger beer, gin, and ice. Garnish with a mint sprig. You can also add candied ginger for a more festive effect. Serve with a straw.
VARIATION
Step 3
If you'd like just a single serving of the Gin-Gin Mule, use the measurements below and follow the directions above.
3/4 oz fresh lime juice
1 oz Simple Syrup
1 ozHomemade Ginger Beer
1 1/2 oz gin
2 sprigs of mint, 1 for muddling, 1 for garnish
Leave a Review
Reviews (8)
Back to TopI am confused about what the author said in this recipe about ginger beer. She says don’t use commercial ginger beer because it is too sweet, then she turns around and dumps a whole bunch of simple syrup in the recipe. That doesn’t make much sense. I have been making Moscow Mule‘s for a couple of years now, with gin or vodka, and I always use fever tree ginger beer. It is not sweet and has a very strong natural ginger taste much more so than any other commercial ginger beer on the market. It is very refreshing and I can’t imagine going to the trouble to make homemade ginger beer when you have fever tree ginger beer available. It has a very natural ginger taste and very little sugar. My favorite recipe is to just middle the mint and the fresh lime juice, add your gin or vodka, then top it off with the fever tree ginger beer. Garnish with a little extra lime and fresh mint for looks and always use a copper mug, it makes a difference.
lcartmill
San Antonio, TX
9/17/2018
If you don't have time to make your own ginger beer you can always use ELIXIR G Ginger Mix. It is a ginger extract so you can add as much ginger flavor as you want. The mix is potent - watch the heavy hand. I found it at www.elixirg.com
Anonymous
Laguna Beach, CA
10/28/2009
This is my new favorite drink! I used Reed's Ginger Beer instead of making it myself and it was delicious! I drank the glass I made for my husband, too =)
CKernaghan
san francisco, ca
1/30/2007
A strong tasting drink---too strong for me, but my guests did like it. Too much work, and not good enough to make again.
tonymsrad
7/27/2006
What in the world does muddle mean? Do you smash it against the side of the pitcher, do you mortar and pestle it?
tonymsrad
7/16/2006
Done this several times. Used Cock and Bull Ginger Beer as well as Reed's Ginger Beer and I like them both, as well as the fizz they add. Going to make my own ginger beer this weekend but will use sparkling water instead of plain.
Anonymous
Seattle WA
8/24/2005
Zefiro Restaurant in Portland Oregon has been serving this drink for over 10 years. There, it is called "The Best" cocktail, and it certainly is. It will change your ideas about gin, and put a smile on your summer face.
Anonymous
Miami
7/20/2005
while it took a bit of effort to make, this drink is delicous. it was a hit, even with non-gin drinkers. i only needed 18 limes so be sure and measure the juice. i used Bombay Sapphire and hawaiian ginger; ginger is definitely the main flavor and it is quite strong, a premium gin may not be required.
Anonymous
sacramento, ca
7/5/2005
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