What does a mezcal mule taste like?
A mezcal mule tastes like a Moscow mule with smoke: spicy ginger beer and lime over ice, with mezcal adding an earthy, smoky backbone.
Mezcal mule
smoky ginger fizz
A mezcal mule is mezcal, lime and ginger beer over ice, the same build as a Moscow mule with the vodka swapped out. Ginger beer brings sweetness and a spicy tingle, lime keeps it bright, and mezcal adds smoke and a savory, earthy depth that vodka never could. The smoke and ginger go surprisingly well together, like a ginger snap by a fire. Some bars add cucumber or passion fruit to make it fresher or fruitier. It's tall, fizzy and lighter than a straight mezcal drink.
Where you’ll see it
At Mexican restaurants and mezcal bars, served in a copper mug or a highball glass over ice with a lime wedge, sometimes with cucumber or chili.
Order it if you are curious about mezcal and want an easy first sip.
Quick questions
- Is a mezcal mule spicy?
- A little, from the ginger beer, which has a warm tingle. There is no chili unless the bar adds it.
- What is the difference between a Moscow mule and a mezcal mule?
- Just the spirit. A Moscow mule uses vodka and tastes clean and gingery. A mezcal mule adds smoke and earthiness.