Today, I’m sharing everything you need to know about Moscow mules. Ready?! Moscow mules are delightfully fizzy drinks made with fiery ginger beer, vodka and fresh lime. Moscow mules are refreshing on hot summer days, sure, but they’re also holiday-appropriate thanks to the strong ginger flavor. They strike that elusive balance between spicy, sweet and strong, and I’d sip one any day.
Bonus: Moscow mules are super easy to make. You’ll need just three basic ingredients: The ginger beer component makes the biggest difference between a so-so and fantastic Moscow mule. So, I bought all the ginger beers I could find and tried them at home. Keep reading to find my recommendations!
Watch How to Make Moscow Mules
Moscow Mule Ingredients
1) Vodka
Tito’s brand vodka is my go-t0 for Moscow mules. Tito’s is affordable, high quality and made not-so-far-away in Austin, Texas. The ginger beer dominates the other flavors so much that any decent vodka on your shelf will do, really.
2) Ginger Beer
The best ginger beer for Moscow mules is Fever-Tree brand ginger beer. Mara said, “It tastes the most like a Moscow mule,” and I wholeheartedly agreed. Fever-Tree’s ginger beer has the most clear and pronounced fresh ginger flavor, thanks to a blend of three gingers from Nigeria, Cochin and the Ivory Coast.
3) Fresh Lime
Be sure to squeeze your lime juice from fresh limes. Don’t use the stale bottled stuff (for anything, ever).
Copper Mug Notes
Moscow mules are typically served in copper mugs, which make them seem extra-cold and refreshing. Why? Copper is an excellent conductor, meaning that cold or hot temperatures spread rapidly through the material. While the copper material of your mug doesn’t actually make the drink colder, it makes it seem colder than it would if you were drinking it out of a regular glass or mug. If you don’t have copper mugs at home, you can get by with a regular cocktail glass. If you’re shopping for copper mugs, be sure to buy food-safe mugs that are not copper on the inside. Copper leaches into acidic foods and poses health risks, yikes!
Moscow Mule History
Rumor has it that the Moscow mule is a product of American capitalism. Three business owners with a surplus of vodka, ginger beer and copper mugs schemed up a plan to get rid of their excess products, and a delicious cocktail was born. The details are murky, but Moscow mules actually helped popularize vodka in the 1940s when it was new to the United States.
Easy Variations on Moscow Mules
Kentucky Mule or Horsefeather: Use bourbon/whiskey instead of vodka. Gin-Gin Mule: Use gin instead of vodka. Mexican Mule: Use tequila instead of vodka. Jamaican Mule or Cuban Mule: Use rum instead of vodka. Dark ‘n Stormy: Use Gosling’s spiced rum instead of vodka.
Ginger Beer Tasting Notes
A couple of ginger ales snuck in, but you definitely need intensely-flavored ginger beer for a great Moscow mule! Here they are, ranked from best to worst. Please let me know how your Moscow mules turn out in the comments! I hope you make the best Moscow mule you’ve ever had. Looking for more cold, classic cocktails? Don’t miss my recipes for the perfect Aperol spritz, red sangria and fresh margarita.
Recommended equipment: I love this citrus juicer for squeezing limes and lemons, and this stainless steel jigger for measuring small amounts of liquid. (Those are affiliate links.)
