My Bar Bible / Cocktails / Kentucky Mule

Kentucky Mule in a copper mug, drawn with its ingredient layers

Kentucky Mule recipe

BuiltCopper mugCubed ice11% ABV180 kcal

The Kentucky Mule is a built whiskey cocktail, made with bourbon, lime juice and ginger beer, served in a copper mug over ice. It is citrusy and sparkling.

Strength: about 11% ABV in the glass, roughly 18 g of alcohol and about 180 calories per drink (an estimate; brands, sugar and dilution vary).

Kentucky Mule ingredients

Bourbon50 ml (1¾ oz)
Lime juice20 ml (¾ oz)
Ginger beertop up, about 120 ml

Measures for one serve. Open the drink in Bar Bible to scale it to a batch or switch to ounces.

How to make a Kentucky Mule

  1. Fill a copper mug with ice.
  2. Pour the ingredients in order, topping last.
  3. Lift once gently with a barspoon.
  4. Garnish with a lime wedge and mint.
Glass
Copper mug
Ice
Cubed
Garnish
Lime wedge and mint
Open Kentucky Mule in My Bar Bible

Kentucky Mule: quick answers

How strong is a Kentucky Mule?
About 11% alcohol once the ice has melted in, roughly 18 g of alcohol per drink. That is an estimate: brands and dilution vary.
How many calories are in a Kentucky Mule?
About 180 calories per drink, from the alcohol and the sweet and fresh ingredients. An estimate: brands and the amount of sugar change it. Compare every drink in the cocktail calorie chart.
What glass is a Kentucky Mule served in?
A copper mug, over ice cubes.
How many ingredients does a Kentucky Mule have?
3 in total: bourbon, lime juice and ginger beer. Simple enough to make at home.

Cocktail calorie chart: compare all 1,471 drinks

Kentucky Mule variations

Mules and bucks

Drinks you might pour next