Green Apple Irish Mule is a spin on a classic Moscow mule with just 4 basic ingredients - Irish whiskey, ginger beer, lime juice and green apple. It's a refreshing drink that's perfect for St. Patrick's Day, or any occasion that calls for a cocktail!

This post was originally published in March 2019. It has been updated with new text and helpful tips for readers.

Up-close view of an Irish whiskey mule in a copper mug.

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It's the lead up to the Paddy's Day weekend, and it's a holiday Newfoundlanders love to celebrate. Even if you don't have Irish roots, you'll likely find yourself celebrating if you live around here.

While some people head to the local bars or pubs to celebrate, we hunker down at home (because there's usually a Paddy's Day snowstorm!) and indulge in some beverages and lots of hearty comfort food.

So this weekend, I'm planning to cook up some Guinness braised beef, make this chocolate Irish whiskey tart and play bartender in my own kitchen. And this green apple mule is on the drink menu.

What is an Irish mule (or whiskey mule)?

If you're familiar with a Moscow mule, which is made with vodka, ginger beer and lime juice, and served in a copper mug, then you're probably familiar with an Irish mule. It's very similar, except you replace the vodka with Irish whiskey (or just whiskey).

What's the best ginger beer for an Irish mule - alcoholic or non-alcoholic?

It's totally up to you. Non-alcoholic or alcoholic ginger beer work in this whiskey mule. It just depends on how strong you like your drinks. Since there is already over a shot of whiskey in this cocktail, and that's strong enough for me, I usually opt for a non-alcoholic ginger beer like Fever-Tree. If you're going for an alcoholic ginger beer, Crabbie's is a brand I often use.

Irish mules in copper mugs with a bottle of whiskey in the background.

What's the difference between ginger beer and ginger ale?

When it was first created, ginger beer was an alcoholic beverage made from fermenting ginger, sugar and water. These days, most ginger beer is non-alcoholic and the brewing process can vary.

Ginger ale is a non-alcoholic soft drink flavoured with ginger. And while the two taste similar, ginger beer has a much stronger ginger taste and less carbonation.

You can also buy botanically brewed ginger ale, such as Fentimans, which is lighter tasting than ginger beer and smoother than the ginger ale soft drink. I've made this cocktail using botanically brewed ginger ale and it makes a light and refreshing drink.

How do you make an Irish whiskey mule with green apple?

Step 1: add a few green apple slices to the bottom of your copper mug or cocktail glass. This will help the apple flavour infuse with the drink.
Step 2: top the apple slices with crushed ice.
Step 3: pour in the whiskey and lime juice.
Step 4: top with ginger beer (or ginger ale). Stir and garnish with apple slices and lime wedges.

Recipe tips and substitutions

If you don't have copper mugs, no worries. You can use lowball cocktail glasses.
As mentioned above, you can use non-alcoholic or alcoholic ginger beer, or even a botanically brewed ginger ale. Avoid using the soft drink variety of ginger ale.
Feel free to add more ginger beer or ginger ale to taste.
Please don't use bottled lime juice here. Freshly squeezed lime juice will add so much more flavour to this drink and it's all natural.
While I used Irish whiskey in this cocktail, you can use a whiskey of your choice.

Green apple whiskey mule in a copper mug and garnished with apple slices.

More cocktail recipes

If you make this recipe, I'd love to hear what you think in the comments below!

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