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Frequently paired with
The best thing to pair and share with MULE
Ingredients
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Cocktail
Method
Cocktail
Prepare ginger syrup (if you don't have it)
Combine 1/2 cup peeled, grated fresh ginger and 1/2 cup sugar with 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring until sugar dissolves. Simmer 2 minutes, remove from heat and let steep 30 minutes for more flavor. Strain through a fine mesh and cool. Yields roughly 3/4 to 1 cup. Use 0.75 oz for one cocktail.
Muddle
Place the fresh ginger slice in a cocktail shaker or mixing glass. Gently muddle once or twice to release aroma — don't pulverize. If you prefer stronger fresh spice instead of syrup, muddle a thin slice and reduce ginger syrup to 0.5 oz.
Build the drink
Add the vodka (2 oz), fresh lime juice (0.5 oz), fresh lemon juice (0.25 oz), prepared ginger syrup (0.75 oz) and optional simple syrup (0.25 tsp only if you want it sweeter) into the shaker with the muddled ginger. Fill the shaker about three-quarters with ice.
Shake
Shake vigorously for about 10–12 seconds to chill and dilute lightly. This mixes the citrus and syrup thoroughly with the vodka and chills the drink.
Serve
Fill a highball or copper mule mug with fresh ice (cubed or crushed, about 1 cup). Strain the shaken mixture into the prepared glass over the ice, using a fine strainer if you used grated ginger to avoid bits.
Top with soda
Top gently with 4 oz chilled ginger beer (or to taste). Stir once gently with a bar spoon to combine — 1–2 slow turns to preserve carbonation.
Garnish and finish
Garnish with the lime wheel or wedge on the rim and the mint sprig tucked beside it. Optionally, add a thin fresh ginger slice on top for aroma. Serve immediately.