Spiced, tropical sweetness meets bubbly, robust flavor in the Rum Mule cocktail.
The bar I was working at had been a dive for decades, and even had the smell of centuries past on it. Or that could’ve just been the severely neglected bathroom that sat right next to the little stage that punk bands regularly destroyed. This wasn’t as nice an establishment as CBGB’s or Otto’s Shrunken Head, not by a stretch. This place’s sign fell off a long time ago, got stolen immediately after and was never replaced. Nobody knows what it’s called anymore.
One rainy and foggy night, while only a few regulars were drinking a classic Suffering Bastard or two while Lou Reed’s “Vicious” played on the jukebox, an older fella in a long peacoat came stomping in, covered in seaweed and soaking wet. I assumed he was drenched because of the weather, but the seaweed? Well, that was unusual, being so far from shore.
He ordered a Rum Mule in a cracked and harsh whisper. Poor guy must be really thirsty, I thought to myself as I looked up how to make a Rum Mule on my phone. It couldn’t have been just a simple spirit swap in a Moscow Mule, but indeed it was. Dark rum, lime juice and ginger beer… But that was a Dark and Stormy, wasn’t it? Thinking quickly, and not wanting to argue with the guy, I grabbed a copper Mule mug and put what the briny stranger asked for in it.
“Perfect”, the elderly man quietly intoned with a smile after a long, greedy first sip.
It might have been a slow night, but a win is a win, no matter how small they might seem.
What is the best rum to use in a Rum Mule?
Our recipe calls for making this cocktail with dark rum. If you don’t already know what you like, going to the store to try and pick out a bottle might make you a tad crazy, what with all the choices available. Kraken is a fine selection, as is Bacardi, Myers and Kōloa. The sweet and tropical infusions like molasses, vanilla, and bananas meld harmoniously with the rich, fizzy bite from the ginger beer, and the lime juice helps balance everything out with some tart citrus tanginess.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces dark rum
- 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- 4 ounces ginger beer
- 1 lime wedge for garnish
- 1 sprig of mint for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a copper mug with plenty of ice cubes. Add the rum and fresh lime juice over the ice.
- Top with chilled ginger beer.
- Squeeze the lime wedge over the drink before dropping it in. Then give the sprig of mint a light slap against your hand to release the oils before adding it to the mug.
Nutrition
What glassware and garnish are used?
Part of having a classic Mule concoction is the copper or silver mug it is served in. Fill one with ice and pour your cocktail in, then garnish with a lime wedge and a fresh sprig of mint on the top.
Is this the same as a Dark and Stormy?
Many mixed drinks over the years have ended up with various names, almost like something out of J.R.R. Tolkien. So I’ll paraphrase Gandalf the wizard when I say it is, and it isn’t.
Other mule cocktails worth trying
While swapping out one spirit for another is a great way to get a simple variation on any given alcoholic mixture, sometimes you can get a nice, differing array of the same tipple with the addition of another element. For example, below is a short list of Mules that are elevated by the magic of fruit.
- Blueberry Moscow Mule – Have a sweet and ice-cold treat on a hot evening with this drink.
- Apple Cider Mule – Here’s a take on the original that’s tart, crisp and refreshing.
- Cranberry Moscow Mule – Bubbly and robust, this Mule is a great libation at Christmas.
- Blackberry Moscow Mule – Make your next Mule a berry-filled affair with this recipe.
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