Pineapple Whiskey Mule

In fairness, this cocktail started as a traditional Moscow mule, with vodka and a touch of pineapple juice. Pineapples are one of my favorite fruits and when they go into season, I buy them like crazy. (Pro tip: it’s super easy to tell when something is in season when you grocery shop because the price point is significantly lower because there is such an abundance OF that fruit or veggie).

We grill them, we juice them, we add them into stir fries, smoothies, and whatever else sounds good. So why not add them into a cocktail? It just seems right. Plus when you make your own juice, not only is it easy but you also know that you’re not getting all the additives and preservatives that are in juice you would buy at the store.

So here we are enjoying our traditional Moscow mules with a little bit of pineapple juice and my brain gets to thinking. After all, I have ALL these pineapples at my house and we know pineapple pairs well with whiskey. Our go to cocktail is a pineapple whiskey sour (2 parts pineapple juice, a squeeze of lemon, 1 part whiskey…really it’s that easy), it’s delicious and the acidity of the pineapple breaks up that strong af after taste you can get with some whiskeys. Why not try to make a mule with the pineapple juice and whiskey? Sure it’s not the most traditional thing in the world, but it could go well.

The key is to find a solid whiskey with a smooth after taste. That way you’re not hit with this super bitter taste on your tongue, because keep in mind, you’re still going to be using ginger beer. I mean it is a mule, that ingredient is a non-negotiable. You don’t have to get crazy with the ginger beer. I know people have strong feelings about ginger beer, but I usually just grab whatever my local store has in stock. Even store brands (like the ginger beer from Trader Joe’s) can be delicious. My recommendation for whiskey? Proper Twelve. It’s smooth and doesn’t have that smokey after taste, so it lends itself well to mixing or drinking on the rocks.

Easy breezy and before you know it, you have a delightful summer cocktail perfect for sipping poolside or enjoying after the kiddos go to bed.

Pineapple whiskey mule

Prep time: 5 minutes

Serves: 1 person

1 shot of whiskey

2 oz of fresh pineapple juice

6 oz ginger beer

ice

Fill your tall whiskey glass with ice. Combine whiskey and pineapple juice in your cocktail shaker and shake to combine. Pour over ice, top with ginger beer, stir until well mixed and enjoy!