This bourbon mule is the perfect porch sipper! It comes together quickly with just 4 simple ingredients, no fancy bartending skills required. Mix up this fresh peach Kentucky mule and have a delicious sunset-hued mule in less than 5 minutes!
Jump to:
- Why this recipe works
- What is a mule?
- What is the difference between a Moscow Mule and a Kentucky Mule?
- Ingredients for a peach Kentucky mule cocktail
- How to make this Kentucky mule recipe
- Recipe
- HOW TO MAKE PEACH PURÉE
- HOW TO MAKE A PITCHER OF FRESH PEACH KENTUCKY MULES
- How to make peach purée
- How to make a pitcher of fresh peach Kentucky mules
- Add a twist on a traditional Moscow mule classic cocktail!
- Helpful equipment
- FAQ
- More boozy favorites!
- Complete your menu!
- Comments
Why this recipe works
Bourbon and peach are absolutely perfect together. When happy hour just happens land on a hot day during peach season, grab a spicy ginger beer, fresh lime juice and your favorite smooth bourbon and you've got the perfect cocktail with a fun twist.
Peach Kentucky mules are super popular at fancy dinner parties and backyard barbecues alike. For a more casual affair, skip the icy copper mug and use a mason jar with fresh mint garnish.
This recipe is very popular during the late summer and early fall when fresh peaches are in season. But don't let that stop you! Canned or frozen peaches are both great substitutes!
What is a mule?
A mule cocktail is a popular mixed drink that typically consists of three key components: a base spirit, ginger beer, and citrus juice. The drink is usually served over ice in a copper mug, which not only keeps the cocktail cold but also enhances the flavor of the ingredients.
A mule cocktail is known for its balanced combination of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors and bubbly finish, making it a perfect summer cocktail.
What is the difference between a Moscow Mule and a Kentucky Mule?
Now, let's discuss the difference between a Kentucky Mule and a Moscow Mule.
The Kentucky Mule is a variation of the classic Moscow Mule. While both cocktails share the same basic concept of combining an alcohol with ginger beer and fresh limes, their choice of base spirit sets them apart. In the case of the Kentucky Mule, bourbon is the star of the show.
The smooth, rich notes of bourbon infuse the drink with a warm, slightly sweet undertone that complements the spiciness of the ginger beer. This results in a mule that's distinctly Southern and showcases the iconic flavors of Kentucky's famous bourbon whiskey.
On the other hand, the Moscow Mule, the original iteration of the mule cocktail, features vodka as its base spirit. This clear and neutral spirit allows the zingy ginger and bright citrus flavors to shine, creating a refreshing and crisp drink.
The classic Moscow mule recipe has a noteworthy origin story, as it played a significant role in popularizing vodka in the United States during the mid-20th century.
Ingredients for a peach Kentucky mule cocktail
- Fresh peaches | Juicy fresh peaches will be used to make a fresh peach puree. Make sure to save a peach slice or two for garnish! See tip below.
- Bourbon | I'm partial to top shelf bourbon. The flavor is just so much smoother. One of my favorites that doesn't break the bank is Four Roses.
- Lime juice | Definitely go with fresh squeezed! The bottle lime is okay in a pinch, but for these cocktails I promise you will prefer the flavor of real lime. Before I cut the limes for squeezing, I cut a few thin wheel-shaped slices out of the center to save for garnishes.
- Ginger beer | If you substitute ginger ale, the flavor will be very different. I wouldn't recommend it. My current favorite ginger beer brand is Fever Tree.
- Ice | Okay, this might be a bit much, but did you know that when you make ice in molds that you should use boiled and cooled water? No more cloudy ice! You're welcome! Pick up cute molds at TJ Maxx, Target or Homegoods. I'll link a few online options in the Helpful Tools section below.
- Optional garnishes: Any citrus, such as lime wheels, lemon slice, fresh rosemary sprig, fresh mint. Pretty much whatever fresh fruit is in season at the grocery store!
See recipe card for quantities.
How to make this Kentucky mule recipe
1. Fill a glass or copper cup with ice cubes. Make a peach puree. See the note below for instructions. Pour the peach puree over the ice and then top it off with ginger beer and bourbon.
2. Decorate the glass with lime wedges, peach slices or a delicate sprig of mint or rosemary.
If you make this recipe, please leave a comment below! This provides helpful feedback to both me and other readers. For more delicious recipes from scratch and homesteading tips, follow me on instagram @NinnescahHomestead
Recipe
Fresh Peach Kentucky Mule (Bourbon Cocktail Recipe)
Equipment
- jigger, stirrer, cup
Ingredients
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 4-6 ounces ginger beer to taste
- ½ lime fresh squeezed juice
- ½ peach peeled, cored, pureed
- ice cubes
Instructions
- 1. Fill a glass or copper cup with ice cubes. Make a peach puree. See the note below for instructions. Pour the peach puree over the ice and then top it off with ginger beer and bourbon.
- 2. Decorate the glass with lime wedges, peach slices or a delicate sprig of mint or rosemary.
Notes
HOW TO MAKE PEACH PURÉE
To make the peach purée, peel and core a large peach. Toss the peach slices or chunks into a food processor or blender with a splash of water and pulse until smooth.HOW TO MAKE A PITCHER OF FRESH PEACH KENTUCKY MULES
Most standard pitchers will hold eight servings. In the bottom of the pitcher, add 2 cups peach purée, 2 cups bourbon and ½ cup fresh lime juice. Stir to combine. Just before serving, gently stir in 6 cups ginger beer. You can make the peach mixture ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before adding the ginger beer.Nutrition
How to make peach purée
To make the peach purée, peel and core a large peach. Toss the peach slices or chunks into a food processor or blender with a splash of water and pulse until smooth.
How to make a pitcher of fresh peach Kentucky mules
Most standard pitchers will hold eight servings. In the bottom of the pitcher, add 2 cups peach purée, 2 cups bourbon and ½ cup fresh lime juice. Stir to combine. Just before serving, gently stir in 6 cups ginger beer.
You can make the peach mixture ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before adding the ginger beer.
Add a twist on a traditional Moscow mule classic cocktail!
1. Make it sweeter! If you prefer a sweeter drink, you can add a shot of simple syrup. You can even infuse a simple syrup with peaches to make the flavor more intense! To make a simple syrup, combine ½ cup of sugar and ½ cup of water in a small saucepan. Heat until the sugar dissolves, then let it cool completely.
2. Put your own spin on this summertime mule by adding a fresh-squeezed lime juice or lemon juice just before serving.
3. Experiment with different bourbon flavors! We love Four Roses, and Maker's Mark is another great alternative.
4. For a milder drink, add a little water instead of the full amount of bourbon. Then you can be more of a long-term porch sipper instead of an early napper.
As an amazon associate, this post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.
Helpful equipment
- Jigger, shot glass or measuring cup
- Copper mugs or a cocktail glass: These copper mugs are the safe and traditional choice. They are the number one sellers on Amazon at the time of writing this. BUT, you need to look at these matte black copper mugs. Wow. Or use your favorite cocktail glass. I thought these vintage wine glasses I used today turned out really elegant, but I'm not a traditionalist when it comes to my kitchen. I like to have items that are inexpensive and can be used in lots of different ways.
- Stirrer or long spoon (sometimes called a barkeeper's spoon) I linked the copper stirrer I'd buy if I was going to spend a little money, but a kitchen spoon will work just as well!
- Ice cube molds: Here is a cute set I found on amazon! But don't be afraid to look at discount stores like Marshall's or TJ Maxx. They almost always have unique options!
FAQ
Yes, you can easily make a non-alcoholic Kentucky Mule, often referred to as a "Virgin Kentucky Mule" or "Kentucky Mule Mocktail." To make it, simply omit the bourbon and use a non-alcoholic ginger beer or ginger ale instead. Follow the same steps for mixing with lime juice and ice. Garnish with a lime wheel or wedge, and you'll have a refreshing and flavorful non-alcoholic version of this classic cocktail that everyone can enjoy.
Traditionally, a Kentucky Mule is served in a copper mug, which not only keeps the drink cold but also enhances the overall drinking experience. The copper mug becomes frosty, providing a unique tactile sensation as you sip. However, you can certainly use other glasses if you don't have copper mugs. Just be sure to use a glass that can hold plenty of ice and has a wide mouth to enjoy the aroma fully. I'm using vintage wine glasses today and they turned out so lovely!
While you can use any bourbon whiskey of your choice to make a Kentucky Mule, it's often recommended to opt for a good-quality, well-aged bourbon. Brands like Maker's Mark, Buffalo Trace, or Woodford Reserve are popular choices, as their rich and complex flavors complement the cocktail's profile. However, feel free to experiment with different bourbons to find the one that suits your taste preferences best.
If you make this peach mule, leave me a comment and tell me how you liked it! It's early September as I'm writing this, and I'll just be over here dreaming of fall! Be sure to pin one of these pictures to your Pinterest so you can easily find this recipe later!
Happy cooking!
-Meg
More boozy favorites!
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Complete your menu!
These are a few of my favorite light and bright salad and salad dressing recipes to serve with summery cocktails!
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