This Moscow Mule recipe is crisp, tangy, and hits just right with fresh lime juice, spicy ginger beer, and smooth vodka served ice-cold in a copper mug. I first tried one at a little bar in Portland, and the bartender clapped the mint between his hands before dropping it in, which made the whole drink smell incredible. It's one of those classic vodka cocktails that feels fancy but comes together in about five minutes with ingredients you probably already have
If you're looking for more refreshing drinks, try this homemade ginger shot recipe for a morning boost, or mix up a 5-ingredient White Christmas Mojito when you want something festive.
Why You Will love this Moscow Mule recipe
This easy Moscow mule recipe is perfect for beginners and cocktail lovers alike. The ingredients are simple, the method is foolproof, and the result tastes like something you'd order at a nice bar.
You don't need fancy equipment or bartending skills. Just fresh lime juice, good ginger beer, and a couple minutes. The balance between the tart lime and the spicy-sweet ginger beer is what makes this classic Moscow mule so good. And when you add that fresh mint garnish, the aroma alone makes it worth it.
It's also incredibly versatile. Once you nail this traditional Moscow mule recipe, you can play around with cranberry, peach, or even make a mocktail version.
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Moscow Mule recipe Ingredients
Here's everything you need for this refreshing vodka drink.
See Recipe Card Below This Post For Ingredient Quantities
Vodka: This is the base spirit that gives the cocktail its smooth, clean flavor. Use a good-quality vodka, but it doesn't have to be top-shelf.
Ginger beer: This is what gives the Moscow mule its signature spicy kick. I love Reed's because it has real ginger flavor and isn't too sweet. Don't use ginger ale, it's completely different and won't give you the right taste.
Fresh lime juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice is bright, tart, and essential for this lime vodka cocktail. Bottled juice works in a pinch, but fresh makes a noticeable difference.
Bitters: Just a few dashes add depth and complexity to the drink. Angostura bitters work perfectly here.
Fresh mint: The garnish isn't optional. When you clap the mint between your hands, it releases aromatic oils that make the whole drink smell amazing.
How to make Moscow Mule recipe
This simple vodka cocktail comes together in less than five minutes.
Fill the mug: Fill your copper mug all the way to the top with ice. The more ice, the colder and more refreshing your drink will be.
Add vodka: Pour in 2 ounces of vodka right over the ice.
Squeeze lime: Cut a fresh lime in half and squeeze about 1 ounce of juice directly into the mug. You want it tart and citrusy.
Top with ginger beer: Pour 4 ounces of ginger beer over everything. You'll see it fizz and bubble up, which is exactly what you want.
Add bitters: Add 3 quick dashes of bitters. They'll sink down and add a nice layer of flavor.
Stir gently: Use a bar spoon to give everything a gentle stir, just enough to combine the flavors without losing all the carbonation.
Garnish with mint: Take a sprig of fresh mint and clap it between your palms twice to release the oils. Drop it right into the drink so the aroma hits you with every sip.
Serve immediately: This homemade Moscow mule is best enjoyed right away while it's ice-cold and fizzy.
Substitutions and Variations
You can customize this best Moscow mule cocktail to fit what you have on hand.
Lime juice: If you don't have fresh limes, Rose's lime juice works as a backup. It's sweeter and less bright, but it'll do in a pinch.
Ginger beer brands: Any good-quality ginger beer works here. Fever-Tree, Gosling's, and Cock'n Bull are all great options for a vodka ginger beer cocktail.
Vodka alternatives: Swap vodka for bourbon to make a Kentucky Mule, or use tequila for a Mexican Mule.
Flavored variations: Add a splash of cranberry juice for a festive twist, or muddle fresh peach slices for a peach Moscow mule recipe.
Mocktail version: Skip the vodka entirely for a Moscow mule mocktail recipe. You'll still get all that ginger and lime flavor.
Kid-Friendly Changes
Turn this into a refreshing non-alcoholic drink the whole family can enjoy.
Skip the vodka and bitters, and you've got a delicious ginger beer limeade. Kids love the fizzy ginger beer and the fun copper mugs. You can even let them clap the mint themselves, which they think is hilarious.
Add a splash of the 3-ingredient mango iced tea for a fruity twist, or serve it alongside other mocktails at parties.
Expert Tips
Use fresh lime juice. Seriously, this one tip makes the biggest difference. Fresh lime juice is bright and tart in a way bottled juice just isn't.
Don't substitute ginger ale for ginger beer. Ginger ale is too sweet and doesn't have enough ginger flavor. Ginger beer vs ginger ale is a real thing, and ginger beer wins every time for this copper mug cocktail.
Clap the mint. This releases the essential oils and makes your drink smell incredible. Just two good claps between your palms does the trick.
Fill the mug with ice first. Starting with a full mug of ice means your drink stays cold longer.
Stir gently. You want to combine the flavors without losing all the carbonation. A few slow stirs is all you need.
Equipment For Moscow Mule recipe
Copper mug: The classic vessel for serving this drink. Copper keeps your Moscow mule ice-cold from the first sip to the last, and it looks beautiful on the table too.
Ice: You'll need plenty of ice to fill the mug completely. The more ice you use, the colder and more refreshing your drink stays.
Citrus juicer: Makes squeezing fresh limes quick and easy. If you don't have one, you can squeeze the lime by hand, just roll it on the counter first to get more juice out.
Bar spoon: A long spoon for stirring the drink gently without losing all the bubbles. A regular spoon works fine if you don't have a bar spoon.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
This quick cocktail recipe is best made fresh, but you can prep a few things ahead.
Pre-squeeze lime juice: Juice several limes ahead of time and store the juice in the fridge for up to 2 days. This makes it super easy to make multiple Moscow mules quickly.
Chill ingredients: Keep your vodka, ginger beer, and copper mugs in the fridge or freezer. Cold ingredients mean a colder, more refreshing drink.
Batch mixing: If you're making Moscow mules for a crowd, you can mix the vodka, lime juice, and bitters in a pitcher ahead of time. Just add ice and ginger beer when you're ready to serve so it stays fizzy.
Leftover ginger beer: Store opened ginger beer in the fridge with the cap on tight. It'll stay carbonated for a few days.
Serving Suggestions
This classic cocktail recipes goes perfectly with all kinds of food.
Serve it alongside spicy appetizers like buffalo wings or jalapeño poppers. The cool, fizzy drink balances the heat beautifully. It's also great with summer barbecue, grilled seafood, or even just a bowl of salty snacks.
For a full cocktail hour spread, pair it with a cheese board, some crackers, and fresh fruit. The lime and ginger flavors complement mild cheeses really well.
If you're hosting a party, set up a Moscow mule bar with different garnishes like cucumber slices, fresh berries, or extra lime wedges so guests can customize their drinks.
FAQ
What are the ingredients in a Moscow Mule recipe?
A classic Moscow Mule recipe has just four main ingredients: vodka, ginger beer, fresh lime juice, and bitters, with a mint garnish. It's traditionally served in a copper mug with lots of ice. Some recipes skip the bitters, but they add a nice depth of flavor.
How to make a Moscow Mule recipe in the UK?
The Moscow Mule recipe is exactly the same in the UK. Use 60 ml vodka, 120 ml ginger beer, and 30 ml fresh lime juice. Fever-Tree ginger beer is widely available in the UK and works beautifully. Serve it in a copper mug with ice and fresh mint.
What's the difference between a Moscow Mule recipe and a London Mule?
A Moscow Mule recipe uses vodka as the base spirit, while a London Mule swaps vodka for gin. The ginger beer and lime stay the same, but the gin adds botanical flavors that make it taste more herbal and complex. Both are delicious, just different.
Why is Moscow Mule recipe in a copper cup?
The copper mug keeps the Moscow Mule recipe extra cold because copper conducts temperature really well. It also adds to the presentation and tradition of the drink. Some people say the copper enhances the flavor slightly, but mostly it's about keeping everything frosty and looking great. You can make a Moscow mule without copper mug if you don't have one, but it won't stay as cold.
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moscow mule recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Fill copper mugs generously with ice until completely full.
- Pour the vodka evenly over the ice in each mug.
- Squeeze fresh lime juice directly into the mugs, removing any seeds.
- Slowly top each drink with chilled ginger beer to maintain carbonation.
- Dash aromatic bitters across the surface of each cocktail.
- Stir gently with a bar spoon just until combined.
- Clap mint sprigs between your palms to release the oils, then garnish each mug.
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