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A refreshing, crowd-pleasing cocktail using just 4 ingredients – vodka, lime, ginger beer and sparkling water, made in 5 minutes. So easy, so good!
reasons to make a Moscow mule
- The easiest cocktail. The Moscow Mule is extremely easy to make, perfect for beginners. No special equipment like a shaker or blender is needed. And with these easy-to-follow tips (more on that below), this recipe is flawless!
- Short list of ingredients. You only need four ingredients here – vodka, lime, ginger beer, soda water (if using) and mint for garnish.
- So refreshing. We’re talking crisp, refreshing, tangy and slightly fizzy with just a hint of spiciness without being too sweet, perfect for warm, summer nights or a fancy dinner.
What is a Moscow Mule?
The Moscow Mule is a classic cocktail made with vodka, ginger beer and lime juice, usually served over ice in a copper glass.
The Moscow Mule and the Copper Cup actually came together in 1941 in the United States to promote Smirnoff vodka as a marketing campaign.
A Russian immigrant woman was trying to sell her inventory of copper mugs made in her father’s copper factory in Russia. She essentially found buyers to promote their cocktail (vodka + ginger beer, two undesirable ingredients at the time), essentially giving the Moscow Mule their signature look to stand out while keeping the drink extremely cold.
Shortly thereafter, Smirnoff became the vodka of choice for Moscow Mules.
Why are Moscow Mules served in copper cups?
Copper is an excellent conductor.
While Moscow Mules are certainly not required to be served in copper mugs, copper metal is highly conductive (think superior insulation), keeping the drink refreshing and frosty cold for longer periods of time.
Key Ingredients in a Moscow Mule
Vodka
Choose a premium vodka to drink – it doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive.
lime juice
Freshly squeezed lime juice is always best.
Ginger beer
Choose a ginger beer with strong, bold ginger aromas. Fever-Tree Premium Ginger Ale is a favorite choice for its strong ginger flavor without being overly sweet.
Carbonated water
Use sparkling water or soda to balance out some of the strong flavors (like ginger beer) while making the cocktail lighter and more refreshing.
Sweetener as desired
If you prefer a sweeter Moscow Mule, add more ginger beer (4 ounces total) in place of the sparkling water and/or add a splash of simple syrup.
Garnish
Finish your cocktail with a lime wedge and a sprig of mint.
Tips and tricks for perfect Moscow Mules every time
- Chill beforehand. Chill the vodka and copper glasses in advance, making sure the cocktail is cold immediately after serving and preventing the ice from melting too quickly, especially in hot weather.
- Use ginger ale, not ginger ale. Be sure to use a premium, high quality ginger ale such as Fever Tree or Q.
- Use freshly squeezed lime juice. While bottled lime juice can certainly work as a last resort, freshly squeezed lime juice will provide the best, refreshing, tangy flavor of a Moscow Mule.
- Stir gently. Avoid shaking the cocktail vigorously – gentle stirring is ideal for mixing the ingredients without losing any of the carbonation (carbonation).
- Use copper cups with food-safe lining. Pure honey mugs can leach honey into drinks. Choose copper cups with a safe interior coating such as stainless steel or nickel.
For a tip
Make it virgin.
Skip the vodka, add another 1-2 ounces of sparkling water, and use non-alcoholic ginger beer.
Variations of the Moscow Mule
Mexican mule
Replace the tequila with vodka
Kentucky Mule
Replace vodka with bourbon
Gin Gin Mule
Replace the gin with vodka
Rum Mule (Caribbean/Jamaican Mule)
Replace vodka with dark or spiced rum
Irish mule
Replace vodka with Irish whiskey (eg Jameson).
Strawberry mule
Add mashed fresh strawberries
Spicy Jalapeno Mule
Add mixed jalapeño slices
Pineapple Mule
Add the pineapple juice
Watermelon mule
Add fresh watermelon juice
More favorite cocktails
Moscow Mule: Frequently Asked Questions
Crushed ice is often recommended in a Moscow Mule to ensure maximum coldness (crushed ice cools the drink much faster) and proper dilution. However, you can use standard ice and still get a great tasting Moscow Mule!
Top vodka picks for a Moscow Mule include Tito’s Handmade Vodka and Smirnoff (Original), as well as premium vodkas like Gray Goose and Ketel One.
Not at all! Copper mugs are used for its distinctive look while keeping the Moscow Mule extra cold and refreshing. If you don’t have copper mugs on hand, tall ball mugs or stainless steel mugs are great alternatives.
Moscow mule
Equipment
ingredients
- 1 ½ ounces vodka
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
- 2 ounces ginger beer
- 2 ounces sparkling water or club soda
- 1 a slice of lime for garnish
- 1 stalk mint for garnish
Instructions
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Add crushed ice, vodka and lime juice to a copper mug.
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Top with ginger beer and sparkling water to taste.
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Garnish with a lime wedge and a sprig of mint, if desired. Serve cold.
