Tequila Mule

When you want a cocktail that’s bright and bold, the tequila mule is a great choice.

It’s a twist on the classic Moscow mule, swapping vodka for tequila.

A tequila mule (or Mexican mule) mixes tequila, lime juice, and ginger beer into a cocktail you can whip up in minutes.

I started making this drink at home after falling for its balance of citrus, spice, and fizz at a little Mexican restaurant.

You get zingy ginger, tart lime, and deep tequila flavor with every sip.

It’s casual enough for a Tuesday but special enough for a party.

You’ll see how simple it is with just a few ingredients.

Let’s talk tricks for dialing up the sweetness, adding some heat, or making it nonalcoholic.

Why You Will Love Tequila Mule

You’ll love a tequila mule if you like crisp, balanced cocktails that are easy to mix.

It takes the Moscow mule and gives it a Mexican spin by using tequila.

The flavors work together in a simple, refreshing way.

Bold agave, spicy ginger beer, and bright lime make a drink that’s light but flavorful.

You can serve it at a summer barbecue or a casual night in.

It’s festive but not fussy.

You can keep it classic with Blanco tequila or add jalapeño, fruit, or a chili-lime rim.

A few reasons I keep making it:

• Quick to mix: just three main ingredients.
• Customizable: change the tequila or ginger beer ratio.
• Traditional feel: that copper mug keeps it icy and fun.

If you already like tequila drinks, this one’s a no-brainer.

If you’re new to tequila cocktails, it’s an easy place to start.

How To Make Tequila Mule

This drink brings together tequila, ginger beer, and lime.

You get a crisp balance of spice, citrus, and agave.

The right spirit, mixer, and garnish make a difference.

The process is simple once you know how.

Ingredients

You only need a few things, but quality really matters.

Pick 100% agave tequila for a smoother taste.

A blanco (silver) tequila gives a sharp, peppery edge.

A reposado tequila adds a softer, oak-aged note.

Use fresh lime juice for bright acidity.

A lime wedge adds aroma and looks good as garnish.

For fizz, pick a ginger beer that matches your taste.

Spicy ginger beer gives more kick, sweeter ones are milder.

Optional add-ins like jalapeño slices bring heat.

Try an alcoholic ginger beer if you want more depth.

Instruments

You don’t need fancy bar gear.

A copper mug keeps the drink cold, but a tall glass works.

A citrus squeezer helps you get more juice from limes.

A jigger or small measuring cup gives you the right pour.

A bar spoon or any long spoon helps you stir.

Solid ice cubes melt slowly and keep things cold.

Step-By-Step Instruction

1. Fill your mug or glass with ice until it’s nearly full.
2. Pour in 2 ounces of tequila.
3. Add ½ ounce fresh lime juice.
4. Slowly top with 4–6 ounces chilled ginger beer.
5. Stir lightly to mix without losing fizz.
6. Garnish with a lime wedge or a thin jalapeño slice for heat.

Now you’ve got a refreshing Mexican Mule that’s both simple and versatile.

Tips & Tricks

The little details really matter when you mix a tequila mule.

You don’t need fancy tools, but smart choices make a better drink.

Always chill your mug. Copper mugs keep drinks colder longer.

If you don’t have one, use a glass packed with ice.

Skip the cocktail shaker. Shaking ginger beer kills the fizz and makes a mess.

Build the drink in your mug and stir gently.

Use fresh lime juice. Bottled juice tastes flat and throws off the balance.

Squeezing half a lime takes seconds and tastes brighter.

Pick the right ginger beer. Some are sweeter, some are spicier.

If you want more bite, go for a stronger, less sweet version.

Adjust the ratio to your taste. Start with 2 oz tequila and 4 oz ginger beer.

Add more ginger beer for a lighter drink.

Want the tequila to shine? Keep it closer to 1:2.

Play with garnishes. Lime wedge is classic, but mint or a chili-lime rim are fun.

Small choices let you control the flavor, temperature, and balance.

Ingredient Substitute

Sometimes you want a Tequila Mule but you’re missing something.

I’ve been there.

Over time, I’ve found a few easy swaps that keep the drink balanced.

No ginger beer? Use ginger ale or ginger soda.

Ginger ale is lighter and less spicy.

Ginger soda can have a sharper kick.

For a non-alcoholic version, use non-alcoholic ginger beer.

Want extra heat? Slice a jalapeño or muddle a few rounds in the glass.

Prefer a cooling note? Add fresh mint leaves.

I like to slap the mint before dropping it in to release the aroma.

For sweetness, you can use:

• Simple syrup for a clean flavor
• Honey for a softer note
• Agave for a taste closer to tequila’s base

No lime, or want to mix things up? Try a splash of orange liqueur.

It brings a citrusy twist, kind of like a skinny spicy margarita.

To lighten the drink, top with club soda.

It stretches the flavors without adding more sugar.

These swaps let you play with the mule’s flavor but keep it easy.

What To Serve With Tequila Mule

When you make a Tequila Mule, you want snacks that fit with the fresh lime and spicy ginger beer.

The drink is bold but light, so the food shouldn’t overpower it.

Small bites work best here, like with a Moscow Mule or Margarita.

You can keep it casual and still feel like you put thought into the pairings.

Here are some easy ideas:

• Chips and Guacamole – The creamy avocado and lime match the citrus in your mule.
• Tacos – Grilled fish, chicken, or pork carnitas pair with tequila’s earthy flavor.
• Spicy Shrimp – Ginger beer’s bite balances chili or jalapeño heat.
• Roasted Vegetables – Charred peppers, zucchini, or corn add smoky notes.
• Dark Chocolate – With reposado tequila, a square of chocolate is perfect.

If you like trying mule variations, mix up the pairings.

A Kentucky Mule with bourbon goes with barbecue.

An Irish Mule with whiskey works with hearty stews.

A Mezcal Mule is smoky, so try it with grilled meats or octopus.

For guests who don’t drink, make a mule-style mocktail with ginger beer, lime, and soda water.

It keeps things refreshing without the alcohol.

Everyone gets something fun in their glass.

How To Store Tequila Mule

You’ll enjoy a Tequila Mule most when it’s freshly made.

Sometimes you want to prep ahead though.

You can store parts of it in advance if you do it right.

Keep the ingredients separate until you’re ready to serve.

Ginger beer loses fizz fast, so don’t mix it early.

Tequila and lime juice can be combined and chilled.

Here’s what I do:

• Mix tequila and fresh lime juice in a sealed jar.
• Keep this in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
• Store unopened ginger beer in the fridge so it’s cold.
• Add ice and ginger beer right before pouring.

If you accidentally make a full Tequila Mule and can’t finish, cover the mug and put it in the fridge.

It’ll keep a few hours, but the fizz fades and ice will water it down.

For parties, batch the tequila and lime juice in a pitcher.

Set out chilled ginger beer and lots of ice so guests can build their own drinks.

Nutritional Value

When you make a Tequila Mule at home, you know what goes in. The drink uses tequila, ginger beer, and fresh lime juice.

Each part brings its own calories and nutrients.

On average, one serving of a Tequila Mule has:

• Calories: about 150–200
• Carbohydrates: 15–20 g (mainly from ginger beer)
• Sugar: 12–18 g
• Fat: 0 g
• Protein: 0 g
• Alcohol: about 14 g (from 1.5 oz tequila)

You won’t get many vitamins or minerals here. Lime juice adds a little vitamin C, but honestly, not much.

If you want less sugar, try a diet ginger beer. That swap cuts carbs and calories without changing the taste much.

Tequila itself has no carbs, fat, or protein. So, the mixer really decides the drink’s nutrition profile.