If you’ve ever seen someone sipping a cocktail from one of those fancy-looking copper mugs, odds are it’s a Moscow Mule. A classic cocktail with a long history, it’s surprisingly not from Russia but, instead, from the United States, originating in 1940s New York. So what is a Moscow Mule made of? It’s a sublime combination of vodka, lime juice, and ginger beer — and guaranteed to deliver a feisty kick!
Moscow Mule Cocktail Ingredients
PREP TIME 5 min
QUICK TIPS
INSTRUCTIONS
01
Pour the vodka, lime juice, and ginger beer directly into a copper mug or glass tumbler
02
Add ice and stir until combined
03
Garnish with a lime wedge and a sprig of mint to serve
How to make a Moscow Mule
While the recipe for a Moscow Mule cocktail is very simple, it’s important to use high-quality ingredients. As vodka is the base of the drink and responsible for so much of the flavor, we recommend using a premium brand like SKYY Vodka which will really enrich your cocktail. Finding your preferred ginger beer might take some trial and error—different brands have varying degrees of sweetness and spice, so you’re bound to find one that tickles your fancy. Lime wedges and mint leaves are often used as garnishes to make the drink even more refreshing and aromatic.
Is it important to use a copper mug?
Moscow Mule cocktails are traditionally served in copper mugs and the reason behind this is more than just aesthetic (although they do look great!). Copper is excellent at retaining heat, so it keeps hot drinks hot but also keeps cold drinks chilled for longer. The Moscow Mule is served on the rocks and a copper mug helps keep it at the perfect chilled temperature as you drink so that every sip is as good as the first.
Don’t worry if you don’t have copper mugs though. A glass tumbler is a great option too. Just make sure to serve the cocktails immediately, before the ice starts to melt.
Moscow Mule cocktail variations
Strawberry Moscow Mule
Fruity and summery, a Strawberry Moscow Mule is perfect for picnics and garden parties alike. Use a cocktail muddle to crush the strawberries to release their juices, before following the traditional recipe.
Mexican Mule
A twist on the classic recipe for Moscow Mules drinks, the Mexican Mule uses tequila instead of vodka for a bolder kick.
Cranberry Moscow Mule
Put a wintertime spin on the Moscow Mule with a tart and zingy cranberry twist. Use a combination of festive fresh cranberries alongside cranberry juice as this will not only look great but adds extra freshness.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The Moscow Mule is a refreshing cocktail, making it the perfect summertime beach cocktail to share with friends or a great choice for garden parties at sundown. Served in the iconic copper mugs, we guarantee that this popular drink will be a showstopper all year round, whatever you’re celebrating.
No special techniques are required to make a Moscow Mule, as all the ingredients are added at the same time and simply stirred together. So easy, this one is great for cocktail novices and pros alike.
Carbonated ginger beer is the traditional mixer in an authentic Moscow Mule and gives it its signature flavor. Ginger ale has a much milder, sweeter taste which will take away from the essence of the drink, so we recommend opting for ginger beer if you can.
Vodka is the spirit used in a traditional Moscow Mule. How much vodka there is in a Moscow mule depends on whether you’re making a pitcher or a single drink, but a single-serve cocktail is usually made with 2oz. vodka.
