The Moscow Mule became one of the most popular cocktails in America in the 1940s largely because of a marketing deal between a vodka importer and a ginger beer producer who both had too much product and not enough sales. The copper mug was added because someone had a warehouse full of them. It’s one of those drinks whose origin story is more interesting than its recipe.
The Kentucky Mule takes the same idea — spirit, ginger beer, lime — and makes the obvious improvement. Vodka is a neutral spirit by definition. It contributes cold and alcohol and nothing else. Bourbon contributes vanilla, caramel, a little spice, and a warmth that interacts with the ginger beer in a way vodka simply cannot. The Kentucky Mule is a better version of the drink by any honest measure, and I say that without any particular animus toward vodka.
Wild Turkey 101 is the bourbon here, and the proof is part of the reason. At 101 proof with Wild Turkey’s characteristic bold, spicy character, it cuts right through the ginger beer and makes sure you know there’s whiskey in the glass.
Wild Turkey 101 — Bold Enough to Matter
Wild Turkey 101 has been made the same way at the same distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky since 1940. It’s a high-rye mash bill, aged in heavily charred barrels, bottled at 101 proof. Jimmy Russell — the master distiller who’s been at Wild Turkey since 1954 — has never been interested in making a subtle bourbon. It’s bold, it’s spicy, it’s a little rough around the edges, and in a drink with ginger beer and lime it’s exactly what you want.
A lower-proof bourbon gets lost in ginger beer. Wild Turkey 101 does not get lost.
The budget alternative is Wild Turkey 81 — same distillery, same character, just dialed back a little. For a step up, Wild Turkey Rare Breed at barrel proof brings more of everything.
The Ginger Beer Matters Here Too
Ginger beer isn’t ginger ale. Ginger ale is carbonated water with ginger flavoring — gentle, sweet, a background note. Real ginger beer is brewed with actual ginger and has a genuine spice and heat to it. In a Kentucky Mule that ginger heat plays against the bourbon spice and the two work together rather than one disappearing behind the other.
Fever-Tree Ginger Beer is the widely available premium choice. Bundaberg is spicier and more assertive. Q Ginger Beer is lighter and more refined. Use what you can find, but don’t use ginger ale and call it a Mule.
The Copper Mug
Traditional, not required. The copper mug conducts cold extremely well and keeps the drink colder for longer than a standard glass. It also frosts nicely and looks great on a table. If you have one, use it. If you don’t, a rocks glass or a highball works fine and nobody will think less of you.
