Gin-Gin Mule

The Gin-Gin Mule is a milestone drink of the 21st-century cocktail renaissance. In fact, we named it one of the 25 most influential cocktails of the past century in our May/June 2010 issue. Created by the equally influential Pegu Club owner Audrey Saunders, the cocktail has inspired countless spin-offs, and bartenders around the country took Saunders’ cue to highlight ginger and improve drinks with homemade ingredients.

6 mint sprigs
1/2 oz. fresh lime juice
1/2 oz. simple syrup (1:1)
1 1/2 oz. dry gin
3/4 oz. ginger beer (Saunders uses a housemade version)
Splash of soda water
Tools: muddler, shaker, strainer
Glass: highball
Garnish: lime wedge and mint sprig

Place the mint leaves in a shaker and gently muddle with the lime juice and syrup. Add the gin and, if using a non-carbonated homemade version, add the ginger beer as well. Fill with ice and shake well. Strain into an ice-filled glass and add a splash of soda. If you’re using a carbonated ginger beer, you can skip the soda. Garnish.

Audrey Saunders, Pegu Club, New York City