Gin-Gin Mule

By Timo Torner / Last updated on August 10, 2023

The Gin-Gin Mule is a modern twist first served in New York by legendary bartender Audrey Saunders. It is a refreshing drink flavored with ginger beer and plenty of fresh mint leaves.
Gin-Gin Mule cocktail

Yes, the Gin-Gin Mule is a riff on the Moscow Mule cocktail; -But it's not just any riff. It's one of the most influential drinks in the last century. At least, that's what Imbibe Magazine named it back in 2010.

The cocktail is a creation of Audrey Saunders, who is famous for her re-interpretations of classic cocktail recipes. And the Gin-Gin Mule is one of her masterpieces.

The ingredients for her drink are Gin, ginger beer, lime juice, simple syrup, and mint. However, there's more to it than just replacing Vodka with Gin, ratios also play a vital role. Tastewise, that results Gin-Gin Mule is a mix of Mojito and Moscow Mule - a surprisingly complex summer cocktail definitely worth trying.

The story behind the Gin-Gin Mule

In the early 2000s, there was a saying in the international bar scene. It went something like this: Whatever Audrey Saunders puts into her cocktail shaker turns to gold. 

And indeed, Saunders, trained by Dale "King Cocktail" DeGroff, invented countless drink recipes that quickly turned into modern classics. Her specialty used to be re-interpretations of classics, as I mentioned above.

The most popular of these re-interpretations are probably the Old Cuban cocktail, a twist on the Daiquiri, and the Gin-Gin Mule.

Pegu Club bar in New York City
Pegu Club, NYC

When Saunders opened her bar Pegu Club in 2005, she became one of the most influential people in the modern bar scene. But Pegu club wasn't the first place where Saunder served her Gin-Gin Mule.

In 2000, she first created this excellent mix of homemade ginger beer, fresh mint, Tanqueray Gin, and lime juice while working at Beacon Restaurant & Bar.

Why is it called Gin-Gin?

Some think that the catchy name of this cocktail was inspired by its ingredients. To be precise, by the Gin -its base spirit- and ginger beer.

However, that alone isn't convincing because many Mule cocktails include these two ingredients. Unfortunately, Audrey Saunders never told anyone why she named the Gin-Gin Mule like that. Yet, it's very likely that the name hints at the famous Italian toast "Cin-Cin" (pronounced in Italian Gin-Gin).

Best Gin for a Gin-Gin Mule

The traditional recipe for a Gin-Gin Mule asks for Tanqueray Gin. Tanqueray Gin is a classic juniper-forward London Dry Gin with hints of lemon zest.

If you don't have Tanqueray at home and search for a proper replacement, you best pick a London Dry Gin. There are plenty of other beautiful Gin types, of course, but the juniper-forward profile of London Dry Gins blends perfectly with the fresh notes of mint and lime.

Tips to make a great Gin-Gin Mule

Making a great Gin-Gin Mule is not that hard, actually. And when you stick to quality ingredients and follow the steps closely, you will certainly get a delicious summer drink.

One vital part is the Gin, and I discussed that one already. But the other ingredients are just as important.

Always opt for a strong and spicy ginger beer like the bestseller from Bundaberg -Don't replace it with Ginger Ale. Despite both being non-alcoholic, Ginger Ale is way too sweet and can ultimately ruin the balance of your drink.

The remaining two ingredients are mint and lime juice. Both should be as fresh as possible to make sure they bring enough taste and flavor to the cocktail. -Also, muddle the mint gently. If you overdo it, it releases a bitter aroma.

Ultimately, as with any cocktail, quality ice is paramount. Inferior ice will melt quickly and dilute your drink. So best get yourself some large and clear ice cubes or make them at home.

Gin-Gin Mule cocktail

Gin-Gin Mule

A delicious drink that brings together the flavors of Mojito and Moscow Mule.
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Gin, ginger beer, mint
Servings: 1
Calories: 212kcal
Cost: $2.60

Equipment

  • 1 Cocktail Shaker
  • 1 Hawthorne Strainer
  • 1 Muddler
  • 1 Jigger

Ingredients

  • 1.5 oz Tanqueray Gin
  • 0.75 oz Lime juice
  • 1 oz Ginger beer
  • 6-8 Mint leaves
  • 1 oz Simple syrup
  • 1 Sprig of mint - (garnish)
  • 1 Lime wheel - (garnish)

Instructions

  • Add lime juice, syrup, and mint leaves into a cocktail shaker and gently muddle. Not too much, or your mint leaves will release their bitter aromas.
  • Add Gin and ice cubes and shake until the drink is well chilled.
  • Strain into an ice-filled Highball glass and top with chilled ginger beer.
  • Garnish with mint leaves and fresh lime wheels.

Nutrition

Serving: 4.5ozCalories: 212kcalCarbohydrates: 27.2gProtein: 0.2gFat: 0.05gSodium: 9.5mgPotassium: 117.75mgSugar: 26.88gVitamin C: 9.7mgCalcium: 37.5mgIron: 0.09mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Subscribe to Cocktail Society!

Receive our latest recipes, reviews, and insights - straight to your inbox.
Subscription Form

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




ContactAbout usPrivacy PolicyTermsSitemap
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com.

© 2023 Cocktail-Society.com