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★ The Classic Moscow Mule Cocktail ★
Just 3 Ingredients
You don't need a bartender to enjoy a delicious Moscow Mule cocktail. This simple 3-ingredient mixed drink will freshen up your happy hour.
Refreshing
The Moscow Mule is extremely refreshing and just puts out chill vibes with it's slice of lime and signature copper mug. It's a great cocktail for any time of the year but I find it especially refreshing during the summer months.
It's light and refreshing, with a spicy note from the ginger beer; to me, this means it's perfect for a hot summer day or in the cooler fall and winter months.
Simple to Make
This is a simple craft cocktail to make that looks and tastes impressive, but won't break the bank or take a lot of time.
The recipe is easy. The hardest part of making this cocktail is finding the traditional copper mugs to serve this classic cocktail. However, a quick search on Amazon for copper mugs is all you need.
★ Ingredients You'll Need ★
A classic Moscow Mule combines vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice for a spicy, citrusy cocktail—topped with a lime wedge. This recipe sticks to the original, and if you enjoy cocktails, you likely have most ingredients on hand—just grab some ginger beer!
- Vodka. For a great cocktail, use quality vodka. Smirnoff is affordable and easy to find, while Grey Goose is a popular premium option. Any brand works—and feel free to use a flavored vodka if you like!
- Lime juice. Fresh-squeezed lime juice is going to give you more flavor and will taste fresh. In a pinch you can use store-bought lime juice.
- Ginger beer. Ginger beer is usually available at most grocery stores or liquor stores. If you can’t find it, ginger ale works too—just note it’s sweeter and less spicy.
- Crushed ice. Pebble ice is the usual choice for this cocktail, but you can crush up your own ice or use ice cubes as well.
★ How to Make a Moscow Mule ★
The hardest part about making this 3-ingredient cocktail at home might be tracking down the iconic copper mugs and some ginger beer. So, I've got a few tips and links to help get you going.
Otherwise, all you need is THREE ingredients over ice! Combine, stir and enjoy!
- Fill a Moscow mule copper mug with crushed ice, all the way to the top.
- Add vodka, lime juice, and ginger beer.
- Stir then garnish and serve.
★ Moscow Mule Variations ★
A Moscow Mule is a simple cocktail that’s easy to personalize. Swap the lime juice for any fruit juice—fresh or bottled—and garnish with matching fruit. Lemon works too if it pairs better with your chosen juice. You can also switch up the alcohol; for example, a Kentucky Mule uses bourbon instead of vodka for a rich, oaky twist. Have fun experimenting!
- Use gin instead of vodka. This is known as a "London Mule"
- Use bourbon instead of vodka. This is known as a "Kentucky Mule"
- Ever heard of an Irish Mule? Same deal. Just use Irish whiskey.
- If you prefer to use rum instead of vodka, this is also known as a Dark and Stormy. Get my Dark and Stormy cocktail recipe if rum is your go-to liquor!
- Try flavored alcohol to complement the fruit juice you choose to add flavor.
- Use a different fruit juice like cranberry, watermelon, apple, pineapple, lemon, cherry, or any other that you like.
- Add more fruit flavor by muddling fresh fruit like raspberries or blueberries and adding the juice. To compliment, use some of the whole fruit as garnish.
- Add extra fragrance with fresh herbs like rosemary, basil, mint, or even jalapeño.
I’ve tried fun Moscow Mule variations like cranberry-rosemary at Christmas and cherry-lemon in summer. Blueberry-lemon is another great combo. Mix and match flavors you love—get creative and even name your custom Mule!
★ FAQs ★
If you are trying to achieve the full Moscow Mule experience, get a set of solid copper Moscow Mule mugs. Solid copper is a must. Especially if you're giving these as a gift. Don't be like me and unknowingly give stainless steel lined mugs. They just aren't as cool, literally.
See, the whole deal with the copper mug is that copper cools quickly to match the temperature of the drink and offers your lips a chilled surface to sip this refreshing cocktail.
So if you were wondering why Moscow Mules come in a copper mug, there's your answer! It also just makes a nice presentation for an otherwise pretty colorless drink.
Shop copper Moscow Mule mugs on Amazon
No. They're similar but different beverages. Neither one is alcoholic.
You can substitute ginger ale for ginger beer if you need to but you'll get a sweeter, less spicy flavor to your Moscow Mule.
Ginger beer has a sharper ginger taste than ginger ale. If you want a more in-depth explanation of the difference between ginger ale and ginger beer check out this article by Huff Post.
So definitely pick up a bottle or a six pack of ginger beer if you want to achieve the same authentic taste you get when sipping a Moscow Mule at a restaurant.
You can also make a Dark & Stormy cocktail with ginger beer!
Since ginger beer is not actually beer, it's nonalcoholic, you can purchase it at the grocery store. Since it's a common mixer though, it's likely you'll also be able to purchase it at most liquors stores as well.
If you're not having luck finding ginger beer at the store, you can always order ginger beer.
Yes! There are only three ingredients in a classic Mosow Mule plus ice. That's it! Vodka, lime juice, and ginger beer. So, it's really pretty easy to whip up your own Moscow Mule at home.
If you'd like to add an extra touch and some additional refreshing flavor to the classic recipe, you can add a sprig of fresh mint as a garnish along with the slice of lime.
I also enjoy my Moscow Mules over crushed ice however, cubes work too. If you into crushed ice but don't have an ice crusher, you can use a blender, purchase crushed ice or shop ice crushers on Amazon.
Copper mugs are great for cold drinks because they conduct temperature so well—they quickly take on the chill of the ice and help keep your drink cold longer without watering it down. The handle keeps your hands from warming the mug or getting too cold. While a copper mug is traditional and adds flair, you can still enjoy the drink in a short glass or insulated tumbler if needed.
There are as many stories about the origin of the Moscow Mule as there are variations of the classic drink. Most accounts say that it was named this because when Vodka became popular in the United States people associated it with Russia, so that's where the "Moscow" portion of the name comes from. The "mule" in the name supposedly refers to the KICK that the drink gives due to the spicy ginger beer ingredient. The drink's origin is argued to be either Los Angeles or New York City, but there are just as many theories on this as there are on who was the first to create the popular cocktail.
★ More Cocktail Recipes ★
Browse all my craft cocktail recipes
Pair it with an appetizer.
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This classic Moscow Mule recipe was featured on South Your Mouth and Wine'd Down Wednesday!
Classic Moscow Mule
Ingredients
- 2 oz vodka
- Juice from ½ lime
- 6 oz ginger beer
- Crushed ice
Optional
- Fresh mint or slice of lime for garnish
Mighty Mrs. is a #WalmartPartner.
Instructions
- Fill a copper mug full with crushed ice.
- Add vodka, lime juice then ginger beer. Give it a gentle swirl and serve garnished with a slice of lime.
mmb says
hmmm.
Think I counted four items that go into that copper mug.
Five if you put in the mint, which I, for one, must do.
Angela G. says
Yes, the mint is optional but it does add a nice touch to the look of the mule as well as some extra flavor. I didn't count the ice as part of the drink but technically you're right, that would make it four. Cheers! 😉