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.
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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.
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.
More cocktail recipes
If you make this recipe, I'd love to hear what you think in the comments below!
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📖 Recipe
Green Apple Irish Mule
Ingredients
- 2-3 green apple slices
- Crushed ice
- 2 ounces Irish whiskey
- 1 lime, juiced
- 6-7 ounces ginger beer, non-alcoholic
Optional garnish:
- Green apple slices
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Add the apple slices to the bottom of a copper mug or lowball cocktail glass. Fill the mug or glass half way with crushed ice.
- Add the whiskey and lime juice, and top off with ginger beer.
- Stir, garnish and enjoy!
Notes
- 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.
- While the recipe calls for Irish whiskey, you can use a whiskey of your choice.
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Nutrition Facts per Serving
Disclaimer
Nutrition information is an estimate only and will vary depending on the substitutions made and the brands used.
Did you make this recipe or have any questions?
I love reading your comments and addressing your questions, so please leave your comments and ratings or questions below!
Haylie / Our Balanced Bowl says
Loving this spin on a classic...and it looks so delicious! Seriously perfect for St Paddy's Day..plus I think we could all use a cocktail to calm our nerves during this tumultuous time in the world. Super yummy, Leanne!
Leanne says
Thanks Haylie! I hope you've been staying well and safe. Take care.
Tasia ~ two sugar bugs says
This cocktail looks so bright and refreshing! Perfect for celebrating the arrival of spring!
Leanne says
Thanks Tasia!
Katerina | Once a Foodie says
I only tried an apple Irish mule last year but fell in love instantly! And the way you served it and presented it is just beautiful, Leanne! I didn't realise it's so easy to make, so I will be trying this one out for sure! Thanks so much for sharing!
Leanne says
Thanks so much Katerina! Yes, super easy to make. I highly recommend giving it a try 😉
Marissa says
This is my kind of cocktail, Leanne! The perfect libation for a cozy evening at home. 🙂
Leanne says
Thanks Marissa. And we have lots of cozy evenings at home ahead of us! Hope you're doing well.
Terry says
I can verify that this is delicious! And I will be making them again this St.. Patrick’s Day.
Leanne says
I'm so happy to hear that Terry. Thank you!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
Cheer's to St. Patrick's Day Leanne! These are the perfect cocktail for the celebration!
Leanne says
Thanks Mary Ann!
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says
I can't even believe how close we are to the 17th. Where is time going? But this mule looks just as awesome as it did the first time you posted it. SO YUMMY!
Leanne says
Time is definitely flying by! Thanks Kelsie!
annie@ciaochowbambina says
My daughter's coming home for the weekend and this will surely be on the menu! So fun!!
Leanne says
Thanks Annie! Hope you had a good weekend!
Marissa says
Love this Irish twist on the Moscow Mule! And beautiful too! So many St. Patrick's Day foods are savory and rich - they call for just this kind of refreshing cocktail.
Leanne says
Thanks Marissa! This one did pair nicely with all the heavy food I consumed this past weekend!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
I have to try this Leanne! It sounds delicious and refreshing! Hope you have a great St. Patrick's Day!
Leanne says
Thanks Mary Ann! I hope you had a great weekend!
marcie says
I don't venture far from a glass of red wine, but when I do, mules are at the top of my list! I love the sound of replacing vodka with Irish whiskey, and the apple slices sound so refreshing. This is the perfect St. Paddy's Day cocktail!
Leanne says
Thanks Marcie! I'm with you. I don't drink a lot of cocktails, but when I do, mules are one of the beverages I enjoy. Hope you had a great Paddy's Day weekend!
Terry says
Great looking drink! I will have to try this on paddy’s day!
Leanne says
Thanks Terry! Hope you enjoyed your Paddy's Day!
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says
My festivities this weekend will look a lot like yours--we won't have snow but I can't deal with crowds so I avoid going out on St. Patrick's Day :). This mule looks like a great way to celebrate! I love the addition of apple slices!
Leanne says
Thanks Kelsie! I hope you had a great weekend!
Jeff the Chef says
I've not heard of this drink before, but I do love the ingredients. Thanks for the recipe!
Leanne says
Thanks Jeff!
Katherine | Love In My Oven says
This looks sooo fruity and refreshing! I'm such a ginger beer fan! I've got some ginger beer concentrate in the fridge, and guess what? I've even got green apples! I'll be whipping one of these up this weekend!! Cheers!
Leanne says
Yay! It was meant to be! Hope you got to enjoy a glass or two this past weekend!
Haylie Abele says
I think it's even more fun to just stay at home and cozy up with some beverages and your favorite snacks! Plus you can wear cozy pants! LOL! I love this drink. It sounds so delicious and tart! I definitely will be adding this to my list to try!
Leanne says
Thanks Haylie! Yes, the cozy pants are the best part!!
[email protected] says
I don't drink but this looks pretty
Leanne says
Thanks Patrick!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
Your upcoming weekend sounds a lot like ours. So over going out to crowded bars and much rather stay home with good eats, drinks and cozy clothes. Hubby is planning on making corned beef, but we are on the lookout for curing salt which, apparently, is super hard to find for some reason. So, if you see any, holla 😉 Would love to cheers with this beauty this weekend too. Sounds super refreshing!
Leanne says
I hope you had a great weekend and found some curing salt. That's one thing I never thought would be difficult to find around here!