If you have that Old World wanderlust but no plane ticket in hand, don’t despair. We have you covered. Simply set your playlist to Italian folk music and fill your copper mug with a Sicilian Mule tonight.
This recipe by Carlos Ruiz, who is the head bartender of the Crystal Springs Resort in Hamburg, N.J., completely reimagines the classic Moscow Mule recipe by infusing Mediterranean liqueurs and bitters.
“It is such a refreshing cocktail that has some nice heat to it,” Ruiz says. “I used Averna because of the nice spice qualities, and the texture that it has, I thought it would bring another layer of flavor and mouthfeel to my cocktail. I also love to make low alcohol content cocktails — I feel like people enjoyed them better because they can try more in one sitting.”
SICILIAN MULES ARE A TASTE OF ITALY
Of all the ingredients in the Sicilian Mule, none is more Sicilian than Amaro Averna. Produced on the culturally and historically rich island itself, this liqueur has maple syrup and caramel flavors with a gentle herbal finish.
Its roots come from Benedictine monks, who passed the recipe on to Salvatore Averna in 1868 as a gift. Averna continued making the liqueur at his family farmhouse in Xiboli. The recipe stayed in the family. Years later, his son Fancesco helped spread the word about the drink, and Francesco’s heirs developed it into the brand it is today.
Production still takes place in Caltanissetta in central Sicily, with a lengthy infusion process that has gone mostly unchanged since the 1800s.
The recipe uses regional spices and dried fruits, including fig, berries, plums and a hint of liquorice, plus orange and lemon essential oils and pomegranates. Each ingredient is painstakingly selected and then infused with pure alcohol, creating an authentic Sicilian experience in flavor.
SICILIAN MULE HEALTH BENEFITS
Drinking a Sicilian Mule out of a Moscow Copper Co. mug is recommended for maximum flavor, not to mention the health benefits!
Copper has a long history of healing and maintaining health. Drinking out of 100% copper was proven to be beneficial because copper doesn’t allow bacteria growth.
Amaro is said to have health benefits, too. It is a common post-dinner drink in Italy that is considered helpful for calming nerves and aiding in digestion.
SICILIAN MOSCOW MULE INGREDIENTS
To make a Sicilian Mule, you will need:
- 1 oz. Aylesbury Duck Vodka
- 1 oz. Amaro Averna
- 0.75 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
- 0.75 oz. Domaine De Canton
- 0.5 oz. Simple Syrup (2:1 ratio)
- 2 Dashes of Bittermens Hellfire Bitters
- 2 oz. Club Soda
The original Moscow Mule calls for ginger beer, but this recipe uses Domaine De Canton, a Chinese baby ginger-infused liqueur that is produced in France.
Also, this drink has a little kick. Don’t overlook the Bittermens Hellfire Bitters — even though it’s just a few dashes, the habanero shrub is sure to add a little heat to your cheeks.
HOW TO MAKE A SICILIAN MULE
Making a good Sicilian Mule means you need to be on top of your cocktail “shake” game. There are no rules. Just loosen up and mix it up!
- In a cocktail shaker, add all ingredients except for the club soda.
- Shake with ice and double strain into a Moscow Copper Co. mug.
- Top off with the club soda and garnish with a nice mint bouquet.
If your entire family or dinner party wants a Sicilian Mule, go ahead and make a giant batch in a copper pitcher. Simply multiply the ingredients by the number of drinkers, except for the club soda. Top off each individual mug with the club soda and mint to ensure a fresh fizzle.
P.S. If you make this Sicilian Mule recipe, don’t forget to tag and share on Instagram!
