Vodka or Tequila: Florida Mule versus the Mexican Mule

In March 2014, after many red-tape delays, a distillery finally opened in St. Augustine, Florida, my hometown. The St. Augustine Distillery makes vodka and gin from locally grown ingredients and Florida grown sugar cane. They offer free tours to the public and anyone over 21 can taste a sample. Their products have earned grand reviews and numerous awards.  I love taking visitors to the place and am a fan.

The St. Augustine Distillery
The St. Augustine Distillery

The Ice Plant sits next door to the Distillery, a farm-to-table restaurant where bartenders make artisanal drinks, squeezing fresh juice never using mixes. One of the specialty drinks at the Ice Plant is a Florida Mule, a take on the famous Moscow Mule. I have fallen for this refreshing concoction, even purchasing copper mugs and their ingredients so I can make the drink at home.

Suaza 901 Triple Distilled Tequila
Suaza 901 Triple Distilled Tequila

One day recently, a bottle of Justin Timberlake branded Sauza 901 Tequila showed up to my house. The tequila’s name comes from Timberlake’s hometown area code in Memphis, Tennessee. I love a margarita, but am not the biggest fan of straight tequila. Nonetheless, in the name of research, I thought I’d better try.

To my chagrin, the stuff was smooth, somewhat citrusy and tasted great straight from a shot glass.  Perhaps that’s because Sauza 901, an 80-proof agave-based liquor,  is triple distilled (as opposed to the industry standard, double distillation process). Jameson Whiskey employs a similar triple distillation process, and I know it earns raves from whiskey fans. So this woman will go on record stating, ” Sauza 901 tequila is extremely easy to drink with hints of citrus and is even better over ice.”

Adding ice got me to thinking, what other cocktails could I use it in?  I researched a few websites and found a Sauza 901 recipe for a Mexican Mule from the Beverage Media Group.  Drink DuJour claims it is JT’s favorite. I thought, how about a throwdown contest between a Mexican Mule and my Florida favorite?

The Florida Mule topped with fresh mint
The Florida Mule topped with fresh mint

I mixed the drinks identically, except I used Sauza 901 tequila in one and St. Augustine vodka in the other.  I combined one part alcohol, with two parts ginger beer and freshly squeezed juice from half of a lime. I placed both drinks in copper mugs and added shaved ice.  Ole!

I hate to admit it, but the Mexican with Sauza 901 tequila was the winner. Not that I don’t still love the St. Augustine Distillery, but the tequila-based drink was more flavorful and thirst quenching. Perfect for a summer afternoon or happy hour. So bottoms up to a Mexican Mule in Florida.

Mexican Mule

Ingredients

  • 1 part Sauza® 901® Tequila
  • 2 parts ginger beer
  • Juice of ½ lime

Directions

Put all ingredients in a copper mug and add shaved ice; stir. A slice or lime or fresh mint adds a little pizzazz.

Next I’m going to try a Sauza 901 Ruby Sparkler as found on the Latin Kitchen website.

Ruby Sparkler

Ingredients

  • 5 raspberries, plus more for garnish
  • 2 parts Sauza 901 Tequila
  • 1 part fresh grapefruit juice
  • 1/2 part fresh lemon juice
  • 3/4 part simple syrup

Directions

In a mixing glass, muddle five raspberries. Add remaining ingredients and shake. Strain before serving over ice in a highball glass. Garnish with skewered raspberries.


For fun, check this out.

Sauza created a very clever video about their tequila causing a break-up with limes. 

All photos @Debi Lander