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The Moscow Mule is a delicious and refreshing drink that’s perfect for any time of year. It’s a simple combination of vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice, served in a chilled copper mug (but don’t worry, any glass will work!). This fizzy and flavorful cocktail has been around since the 1940s and is surprisingly easy to make at home.
Unlike drinks like eggnog or a Tequila Sunrise that are more for specific times of year, the Moscow Mule is a refreshing cocktail you can enjoy any season. It’s a favorite among vodka drinkers because it’s super easy to make – you only need 3 ingredients and a few minutes!
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love This Classic Moscow Mule Recipe
- What’s A Moscow Mule?
- Ingredients
- Recipe Variations
- How To Make A Moscow Mule
- Expert Tips
- When To Enjoy Your Moscow Mule: All Seasons Welcome!
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Single Serving Cocktail Recipes
- Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
- Classic Moscow Mule Recipe
Why You’ll Love This Classic Moscow Mule Recipe
- Super Simple: This recipe only requires 3 ingredients and minimal effort, making it perfect for a quick after-work drink or a relaxing weekend beverage.
- Customizable: Prefer a stronger drink? Add more vodka! Want it a little sweeter? Adjust the amount of ginger beer. It’s easy to tailor this recipe to your taste.
- Refreshing: The combination of ginger beer and lime juice creates a delightful and refreshing drink that’s perfect for a hot day.
- Classic Cocktail: The Moscow Mule is a timeless drink that’s always in style.
- Copper Mug Magic: While not essential, serving your Moscow Mule in a chilled copper mug keeps your drink icy cold and adds a touch of vintage flair.
What’s A Moscow Mule?
Imagine a refreshing and fizzy drink made with vodka, ginger beer’s spicy kick, and a squeeze of fresh lime. That’s a Moscow Mule! It’s a perfect anytime-of-year cocktail that’s become a classic.
Bonus Fun Fact: Believe it or not, this crowd-pleaser has been around since the 1940s! Some say it was invented by two guys in Hollywood – John Martin (of Smirnoff fame) and Jack Morgan, a tavern owner.
Moscow Mule or Vodka Buck?
You might also hear a Moscow Mule called a “vodka buck.” That’s because it belongs to a whole family of cocktails made with a similar combo of spirits, citrus, and ginger ale or beer.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this simple Moscow Mule recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Vodka: Choose a vodka that you personally enjoy for the best Moscow Mule. Tito’s brand vodka is an excellent option—it’s affordably priced, high quality, and holds personal significance for those who appreciate products from Texas, where I lived for many years. Its smooth profile complements the drink without dominating the other ingredients. Consider using some of your vodka in a creamy vodka sauce to serve over pasta.
- Ginger Beer: This is the key ingredient that gives the Moscow Mule its ginger kick. Look for a brand with a strong ginger flavor, like Fever-Tree. Ginger beer is actually non-alcoholic, despite its name. You’ll usually find it near the soda water and tonic water in most grocery stores, sometimes in the soft drink section too.
- Lime Juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice is the way to go for the brightest, zingiest flavor. Extra lime juice can be used to make a strawberry daiquiri, ranch water, or a mini key lime pie.
Recipe Variations
- Mexican Mule: a Moscow Mule made with tequila instead of vodka.
- Irish Mule: A Moscow Mule made with Irish whiskey instead of vodka.
- Kentucky Mule: A Moscow Mule made with bourbon.
- Gin Buck: Also called a Gin Gin Mule which is a Moscow Mule made with gin instead of vodka.
- Dark ‘n Stormy: Usually made in a highball glass and dark rum is used instead of vodka.
- Mezcal Mule: Use tequila and mezcal for a smoky twist.
How To Make A Moscow Mule
See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Fill a Moscow Mule mug or a highball glass with ice. Pour in the vodka and lime juice.
- Fill the glass with ginger beer and gently stir it with a spoon to mix.
- Garnish with a lime wedge and a sprig of fresh mint, and enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Choosing Vodka: Choose a mid-priced vodka when making a Moscow Mule. There’s no need to splurge on an expensive brand, as the strong flavors of ginger beer and lime in the cocktail can mask the subtleties of a high-end vodka.
- Selecting Ginger Beer: The best ginger beer for a Moscow Mule should contain real ginger and avoid artificial sweeteners or flavors. Fever-Tree is my preferred brand because it’s made with genuine ginger, giving the drink a fresh and authentic taste.
- Using Lime Juice: Fresh lime juice is crucial for the best flavor in a Moscow Mule. Just squeeze the juice from half a lime directly into your drink. Adjust the amount to your taste preference, but fresh juice will enhance the drink’s overall freshness and zing.
When To Enjoy Your Moscow Mule: All Seasons Welcome!
The beauty of a Moscow Mule is its versatility! You can enjoy this drink any time of year:
- Beat the Heat: The ginger beer’s fizz and the lime’s coolness make it a perfect choice for a hot summer day.
- Warm Up with a Twist: The ginger beer’s spicy kick can also be surprisingly cozy in the winter months. It’s a refreshing twist on a traditional warm drink.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, a copper mug is not essential for making a Moscow Mule. You can use any glass you like.
Yes, you can substitute ginger ale for ginger beer, but the flavor will be slightly less intense.
This recipe makes a moderately strong drink. You can adjust the amount of vodka to your liking.
More Single Serving Cocktail Recipes
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you’ve tried this Moscow Mule recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
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Classic Moscow Mule
Equipment
- Moscow Mule mug or highball glass
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vodka (4 tablespoons/1/4 cup)
- ¾ ounce lime juice (½ tablespoon)
- 6 ounces ginger beer (12 tablespoons/3/4 cup)
Instructions
- Fill a Moscow Mule mug or a highball glass with ice. Pour in the vodka and lime juice.
- Fill the glass with ginger beer and gently stir it with a spoon to mix.
- Garnish with a lime wedge and an optional sprig of fresh mint.
Notes
- Choosing Vodka: Choose a mid-priced vodka when making a Moscow Mule. There’s no need to splurge on an expensive brand, as the strong flavors of ginger beer and lime in the cocktail can mask the subtleties of a high-end vodka.
- Selecting Ginger Beer: The best ginger beer for a Moscow Mule should contain real ginger and avoid artificial sweeteners or flavors. Fever-Tree is my preferred brand because it’s made with genuine ginger, giving the drink a fresh and authentic taste.
- Using Lime Juice: Fresh lime juice is crucial for the best flavor in a Moscow Mule. Just squeeze the juice from half a lime directly into your drink. Adjust the amount to your taste preference, but fresh juice will enhance the drink’s overall freshness and zing.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Good recipe.