Añejo Mule

Añejo Mule

Swap the vodka in a Moscow mule for aged tequila and you get the Añejo Mule, also known as a tequila mule or Mexican mule. SWOL Añejo brings oak, vanilla, and a soft caramel warmth that plays beautifully against spicy ginger beer and bright lime. It is a three-ingredient, no-shaker cocktail that looks impressive in a frosty copper mug and takes under a minute to build. An optional splash of agave or cinnamon syrup lets you dial it sweeter or cozier. Here is the exact ratio plus the tweaks that make it yours.

INGREDIENTS
  • 1.5 oz SWOL Añejo Tequila (the hero; its barrel age gives the mule a rounder, warmer base than a blanco or vodka)
  • 0.5 oz fresh lime juice (fresh only; bottled lime dulls the whole drink)
  • Ginger beer to top, about 4 to 5 oz (spicy for punch, mild for an easier sip)
  • Optional 0.25 oz agave or cinnamon syrup (agave to round it out, cinnamon to lean cozy)
  • Garnish: candied ginger or a smacked mint sprig, plus a lime wheel
HOW TO PREPARE
  1. Fill a copper mug or highball glass with ice.
  2. Add SWOL Añejo and fresh lime juice.
  3. Top with cold ginger beer and, if using, the agave or cinnamon syrup.
  4. Stir lightly to combine, then garnish with candied ginger or a smacked mint sprig and a lime wheel.
Style of Glass to use
  • Copper Mug
Garnishes
  • Mint

Choosing your ginger beer

Ginger beer is the flavor engine here, so pick with intent. A spicy, dry ginger beer keeps the mule bracing and lets the tequila's oak show through. A milder, sweeter ginger beer makes it more crowd-friendly and dessert-adjacent, especially with the cinnamon syrup option. Ginger ale is not a substitute; it is far sweeter and less peppery, and it will flatten the drink.

Tequila mule vs Moscow mule vs Mexican mule

A Moscow mule uses vodka, which is neutral. Swap in tequila and you have a tequila mule, and when that tequila is Mexican and often paired with a lime-forward, sometimes spicy profile, it is called a Mexican mule. This recipe is all three, built on aged SWOL Añejo so it drinks warmer and more complex than the vodka original.

Copper mug or highball glass

The copper mug is traditional and it does more than look good: copper keeps the drink colder longer and accentuates the aroma of the ginger and lime. A highball glass works perfectly if you do not own mugs. Either way, use plenty of dense ice so the mule stays cold without watering down.

Batch it for a crowd

For eight mules, stir together 12 oz SWOL Añejo and 4 oz fresh lime juice in a pitcher and chill. Pour about 2 oz of the mix into each ice-filled mug and top with ginger beer to order so every drink stays fizzy. Set out candied ginger and lime wheels for self-garnish.

Make it a mocktail

For a zero-proof mule, skip the tequila, build fresh lime and a good spicy ginger beer over ice, and add a dash of agave for body. A drop of non-alcoholic aged-agave alternative or a splash of cold brew can mimic the oak note if you want it closer to the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a tequila mule?

A Moscow mule made with tequila instead of vodka: tequila, fresh lime, and ginger beer over ice, usually in a copper mug.

Is a tequila mule the same as a Mexican mule?

Effectively yes. A Mexican mule is a tequila mule, often lime-forward and sometimes spicy. This recipe covers both.

What ginger beer is best?

A spicy, dry ginger beer for a bracing mule, or a milder one for an easier, sweeter sip. Avoid ginger ale, which is too sweet.

Why añejo instead of blanco?

SWOL Añejo is barrel-aged, so it adds oak and vanilla warmth that stands up to ginger beer better than a sharper blanco.

Do I need a copper mug?

No. A copper mug keeps it colder and looks classic, but a highball glass works just as well.

How do I make it spicier or cozier?

Use a spicy ginger beer, or add cinnamon syrup for a cozy, autumnal version.

Can I batch it for a party?

Yes. Pre-mix the tequila and lime, then top each glass with ginger beer to order so the bubbles last.

Añejo Mule TIPS

To awaken the mint’s aroma, gently smack the sprig between your palms before garnishing — it’ll release its oils without bruising the leaves. For a deeper, spiced profile, try rimming the mug with cinnamon sugar or adding a dash of Angostura bitters to the mix. This gives your mule a bold, unexpected twist that complements the richness of the añejo tequila.

MADE WITH

SWOL Anejo Tequila Limited Release (750Ml)

750 ML

$89.99

$109.99

Sale

SWOL Anejo Tequila Limited Release is an extremely limited edition; a special release of just 10,000 bottles. Each hand-numbered bottle has a peel-off iron patch which is designed by Los Angeles-based artist Rise Work.

Combining ancient and modern techniques and a deep love and passion for Authentic Tequila, SWOL Tequila comes from Mexico. When two friends journeyed to Mexico...

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