How to make the best Moscow mule at home! This super simple vodka cocktail is quick to make and tastes so good!
Not long ago, the Moscow mule, a vodka cocktail made with ginger beer and lime, seemed to be fading in popularity. However, it’s currently experiencing a resurgence!
We’ve noticed Moscow mules popping up on cocktail menus and being promoted at local bars. Given this renewed interest, we’re sharing our favorite way to make this super refreshing cocktail at home!
Key Ingredients
- Vodka: Use a vodka you already know and enjoy. Tito’s is a popular choice, but other mid to high-shelf options (like Stolichnaya, Belvedere, or Ketel One) work just as well.
- Ginger Beer: Don’t confuse ginger beer with ginger ale (they’re not the same!). Ginger beer is much more gingery and spicy. Fever-Tree is a widely available and excellent option, but feel free to use your favorite brand. Cock’n Bull, Gosling’s, and D&G are also great. We also use ginger beer to make this dark and stormy cocktail.
- Lime: Freshly squeezed lime juice is essential for this cocktail. I like to add the juice directly to the drink and then garnish the glass with a lime wedge or two for extra flavor and aroma.
- Glass or Copper Mug: I stick with a tall glass with ice, but for the full experience, you can buy yourself a copper mug, which you can keep in the freezer so it’s super cold!
There are several variations. You can try a Kentucky Mule, which switches the vodka for bourbon. Or, experiment with adding extra flavors. The drink is perfect any time of the year, letting you have fun with whatever is in season. Consider blending peaches and mixing them in for a peach-ginger mule or using a bit of applesauce for a fall-based cocktail.
Perfect Moscow Mule
- PREP
- TOTAL
The Moscow mule drink began as a partnership between friends. One made vodka and the other ginger beer. This classic cocktail only requires three ingredients. It’s easy to make and perfect all year round.
Watch Us Make the Recipe
You Will Need
Half of a lime
2 ounces (1/4 cup) vodka
4 ounces (1/2 cup) cold ginger beer
Ice
Directions
1Squeeze half of a lime into a tall glass (or copper mug), then drop the lime half into the bottom.
2Fill the glass with ice, then pour over vodka and ginger beer.
Adam and Joanne's Tips
- The nutrition facts provided below are estimates.
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My wife Gail and her friend Nancy came up with a variation that’ll please your taste buds. It’s called a Moscow Burro which begins by muddling a slice of jalepeno (minus seeds) in a shaker then adding Tito’s and then strain it over ice and add your ginger beer and lime juice and slice of lime ….Enjoy !!
Hi Tim, this sounds excellent. We love adding some spice to margaritas, but never thought to do it for a Moscow Mule. Thanks for the suggestion!
Hi, My husband and I love Moscow Mules and have tried several ginger beers. Our favorite so far is the Fever, but I just ordered Q Ginger Beer and will report back when we try it. We modified the Moscow Mule by using tequila in place of vodka and named it the Juan Burro :). It’s really good! But my favorite mule so far is one with mint infused vodka that I order at a local restaurant. If you are ever in Port Angeles, go to Michael’s restaurant (great food), and order a Michael Mule with mint infused vodka :).
So this drink may not taste as well making in a 2 gallon container for a party?
Do you know if you can make this in large batches. We have been asked to make 500 cocktails for a function. Thank you
Hi Steven, Wow, that’s a lot. Since the ginger beer is fizzy, you might have issues with the cocktail turning flat if it’s made too far in advance. I’d check before the event to see how long in advance you can get away with.
I love the sound of the ginger beer and lime, that sounds gorgeous, but I don’t like Vodka. Ever tried this with Gin?
Hi there, Gin would definitely work in this. The spiciness of the ginger beer should play well with a dry gin.
I have tried many variations of the mule, vodka, gin, spiced rum and tequila and love them all, Kinda whatever I have on hand…lol. By far my favorite ginger beer is the fever tree ginger beer. For a different variation try 1 ounce raspberry infused vodka, 1 ounce regular vodka in a cold copper mug and fever tree with lime
I’m happy to see that you have the correct recipe; so many of them now replace the ginger beer with ginger ale, which is just wrong! In fact, a proper Moscow Mule was served in a copper mug (still is at my house). Keeps the drink lovely and cold!