Blackberry Ginger Smokehouse Mule
This Blackberry Ginger Smokehouse Mule is a bold BBQ-friendly drink made with fresh blackberries, lime juice, mint, ginger beer, and crushed ice. Ginger beer holds up against heavy BBQ food, blackberry adds color and sweetness, and lime keeps it bright. Serve it as a mocktail or add bourbon, vodka, or dark rum for an adult version.
Equipment
- Copper mule mugs or clear glasses
- Cocktail muddler
- Cocktail shaker or mixing glass
- Jigger or measuring cup
- Citrus juicer
- Bar spoon
- Ice crusher, optional
- Small knife
- Cutting board
Ingredients
For the Blackberry Ginger Smokehouse Mule:
- 1 cup fresh blackberries
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 8 to 10 fresh mint leaves
- 1 to 2 tablespoons simple syrup honey syrup, or blackberry syrup, optional
- 2 cups ginger beer chilled
- 2 cups crushed ice
- Lime wedges for garnish
- Fresh mint sprigs for garnish
- Extra blackberries for garnish
Alcohol Option:
- 3 ounces bourbon vodka, or dark rum
- Use 1 1/2 ounces per drink
Instructions
- Muddle the blackberries. Add blackberries, lime juice, mint leaves, and optional simple syrup to a cocktail shaker or mixing glass. Muddle gently until the blackberries release their juice.
- Add ice. Fill two copper mugs or clear glasses with crushed ice.
- Strain the blackberry base. Strain the muddled blackberry mixture into the mugs, dividing it evenly.
- Add alcohol, optional. For an adult version, add 1 1/2 ounces of bourbon, vodka, or dark rum to each mug.
- Top with ginger beer. Pour chilled ginger beer into each mug and stir gently.
- Garnish. Add fresh blackberries, a lime wedge, and a mint sprig to each drink.
- Serve cold. Serve immediately while fizzy, cold, and fresh.
Notes
Use ginger beer instead of ginger ale for the best spicy kick.
Fresh lime juice works better than bottled lime juice.
Muddle mint gently so it does not turn bitter.
Use crushed ice for the best mule-style texture.
Serve in copper mugs for a colder feel.
Use clear glasses if you want the blackberry color to show.
Bourbon is the best BBQ-friendly alcohol option.
Vodka keeps the drink clean and crisp.
Dark rum makes it sweeter and richer.
For a lighter drink, use half ginger beer and half sparkling water.
For a sweeter drink, add simple syrup, honey syrup, or blackberry syrup.
For a less sweet drink, use extra lime juice and a lower-sugar ginger beer.
Do not add ginger beer until right before serving or it will lose fizz.