Gin-Gin Mule Cocktail

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 07/21/22
Tested by
Sean Michael Johnson
Photo of Sean Michael Johnson
Tested by Sean Michael Johnson
Sean is an award-winning bartender with over 15 years of experience in the industry. He is the head bartender at the two-Michelin-star restaurant, Gabriel Kreuther, crafting cocktail menus that have caught international attention. To date, he has made over 1 million cocktails, and counting.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Gin gin mule cocktail garnished with mint

The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck
Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
238 Calories
0g Fat
37g Carbs
0g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 238
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 13mg 1%
Total Carbohydrate 37g 13%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 35g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 7mg 35%
Calcium 11mg 1%
Iron 0mg 3%
Potassium 35mg 1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

A modern classic, the gin-gin mule was created by Audrey Saunders of New York City's Pegu Club. While it's often thought of as a Moscow mule with gin, it also has a bit of mojito influence. As the name indicates, there are two "gins" in this recipe: The first is gin—the botanical liquor we know and love for everything from the martini to the gin and tonic; the second is ginger beer, a snappy soda that makes the Moscow mule a truly fizzy and memorable drink. When you muddle in a little lime, syrup, and fresh mint, the drink's flavor offers a refreshing contrast.

There are many other takes on the mule, with tequila, bourbon, rum, and vodka each taking center stage. From Moscow to Kentucky, the mule's distinct character makes it a fabulous drink, easy to make, and beautiful to look at.

0:36

Click Play to See This Gin-Gin Mule Recipe Come Together

"Working at Audrey Saunders’ Pegu Club, I recall one shift making so many gin-gin mules I couldn’t lift my arm afterward. As close to that recipe as a home bartender can get, this recipe flows with juicy botanicals, tantalizing mint, and succulent lime. It put a smile on my face and a twinge in my shoulder." —Sean Johnson

Gin-gin mule cocktail with a straw and mint garnish
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 8 mint leaves

  • 1 ounce simple syrup

  • 3/4 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice

  • 1 1/2 ounces gin

  • 4 to 5 ounces ginger beer, to taste

  • Mint sprig, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for gin gin mule cocktail recipe gathered

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  2. In a cocktail shaker, add the mint leaves, simple syrup, and lime juice. Muddle well to release the essence of the herbs.

    A cocktail shaker with muddled mint leaves, simple syrup, and lime juice

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  3. Add gin and fill the shaker with ice.

    A cocktail shaker with gin and ice

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  4. Shake well.

    A cocktail shaker with a glass upside down on top

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  5. Strain into a highball glass or mule cup filled with fresh ice. Double straining is recommended if you don't want any hint of small particles or torn herbs in your beverage.

    A glass with strained gin and mint mixture over ice

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  6. Top with ginger beer.

    Gin, lime juice, and ice mixture topped with ginger beer

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  7. Garnish with a sprig of mint. Serve and enjoy.

    A gin gin mule garnished with mint

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

Tips

Here are some quick tips on how to choose the best ingredients for your drink:

  • London dry gin is the preferred style for this recipe because the juniper-forward gin will not get lost in the flavorful mix. Tanqueray is recommended most often, though other brands will do just as well.
  • The ginger beer is the other key ingredient and the ginger beer options do vary from soft to spicy. Here, you're looking for a ginger beer with a great spice and punch of flavor. If you'd like for the flavor of the ginger to fold into the cocktail a bit more, add the ginger beer to the mixing tin after the rest of the ingredients have been shaken but before you pour it into the Collins glass.
  • Fresh lime juice is preferred and one lime should yield enough for one drink. You can simply cut it in half and squeeze the juice from each half directly into the shaker.
  • Ensure your mint is as fresh and fragrant as possible. Some people like to slap the leaves between their palms to wake up the mint before adding it to the shaker.

Recipe Variations

  • If you prefer vodka over gin, pour it instead. The drink will lose a bit of its flavor but will still be very good.
  • Likewise, ginger ale can be used instead of ginger beer, though it's significantly sweeter. For this substitute, cut the simple syrup to about 1/2 ounce in order to maintain the flavor balance.

How Strong Is a Gin-Gin Mule?

Just like most tall soda drinks, the gin-gin mule is relatively tame. With a 4-ounce pour of ginger beer, you're looking at an alcohol content around 12 percent ABV (24 proof). That's similar to a glass of wine, so it's a perfect everyday drink.

Why Use Simple Syrup and Not Sugar?

The main reason to use simple syrup in a cocktail is that it's easier to mix. Whereas sugar might collect at the bottom of the glass, the simple syrup will dissolve with a quick stir and won't add floating particles or cloud the transparency of the drink.


The second reason is that you can use flavored simple syrups, and that extra layer of floral, spiced, or fruity accents is actually key in some mixed drinks and cocktails.


Lastly, making your own simple syrup will yield a better flavor than bottled versions and significantly reduce your expenses when stocking your bar.