How to Make a Perfect Moscow Mule

Learn how to make the Moscow Mule cocktail at home. Not too long ago, some may have said the Moscow Mule was making its way onto the “endangered species list” of cocktails. Lately though, we’ve seen it in most bars we’ve been in. Since we’re seeing a resurgence of love, we thought it would be good idea to share it with you! 

Watch the Video

Moscow Mule Video

You Only Need Three Ingredients

If you’re asking yourself “what is a Moscow Mule?” It’s a simple cocktail with just three ingredients: vodka, ginger beer, and lime. It’s ridiculously refreshing and very easy to make at home for yourself.

Moscow Mule

The idea behind the drink began as a partnership between friends — one made vodka, the other ginger beer.

Even though this is a vodka-based cocktail, the drink relies heavily on the ginger beer. Choose something you like — we like it spicy and extra gingery, not sweet. We’ve fallen in love with Fever Tree’s ginger beer, but Cock’n Bull, Gosling’s and D&G are also good ones to try.

Ginger beer and ginger ale are very different. Ginger ale just won’t cut it, here. Ginger beer is much more “gingery” and spicy than ginger ale. Read more about the difference of ginger ale verses ginger beer from The Kitchn. By the way, another popular cocktail that calls for ginger beer is the Dark and Stormy.

One more note: While we simply serve it in a tall glass, it’s pretty common to see it served in a seriously cold copper mug. It would be pretty fun to add a few to your home. We found these Mule-worthy copper mugs if you’re interested!

Making a Moscow Mule

Easy Spin-Offs

There are quite a few spin-offs — try a Kentucky Mule, which switches the vodka for bourbon. Or, experiment with adding extra flavors. The drink is pretty perfect anytime of year, which lets you have fun with whatever is in season. Some of our favorites are to use peach, for a peach-ginger mule or apples for a fall-based cocktail.

You may also like: How to Make a Perfect Gin and Tonic. The key to a great gin and tonic recipe is to balance the bitterness of tonic water against the gin. Check out our tips for making it best at home.

Perfect Moscow Mule

How to Make a Perfect Moscow Mule

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The Moscow Mule is a classic and only requires 3 ingredients. It’s easy to make and is perfect all-year-round.

Makes 1 drink

Watch Us Make the Recipe

You Will Need

Half of a lime

2 ounces vodka

4 ounces cold ginger beer

Ice

Directions

    1Squeeze lime into a tall glass (or copper mug) then drop the lime half into the bottom of the glass. Fill glass with ice then pour in the vodka and ginger beer.How to Make a Moscow Mule

Adam and Joanne's Tips

  • Ginger Beer: After trying a few of the more popular ginger beers available, we’ve really fallen in love with the ginger beer from Fever Tree. It’s pretty spicy and not too sweet, making it perfect for the Moscow Mule. Other brands to try are Cock’n Bull, Gosling’s and D&G.
  • Nutrition facts: The nutrition facts provided below are estimates. We have used the USDA Supertracker recipe calculator to calculate approximate values. We assumed Fever Tree Ginger Beer.

If you make this recipe, snap a photo and hashtag it #inspiredtaste — We love to see your creations on Instagram and Facebook! Find us: @inspiredtaste

Nutrition Per Serving Calories 185 / Carbohydrate 16 g / Fat 0 g / Total Sugars 12 g
AUTHOR:  Adam and Joanne Gallagher
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10 comments… Leave a Review
  • Tim Alix April 30, 2019, 9:41 pm

    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 !!

    Reply
    • Joanne May 1, 2019, 12:11 pm

      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!

      Reply
  • Dana May 5, 2018, 1:17 pm

    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 :).

    Reply
  • Violet January 23, 2018, 2:46 pm

    So this drink may not taste as well making in a 2 gallon container for a party?

    Reply
  • steven gardner November 7, 2017, 1:19 pm

    Do you know if you can make this in large batches. We have been asked to make 500 cocktails for a function. Thank you

    Reply
    • Joanne November 7, 2017, 3:48 pm

      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.

      Reply
  • Zapnear December 14, 2016, 12:17 pm

    I love the sound of the ginger beer and lime, that sounds gorgeous, but I don’t like Vodka. Ever tried this with Gin?

    Reply
    • Joanne December 14, 2016, 2:21 pm

      Hi there, Gin would definitely work in this. The spiciness of the ginger beer should play well with a dry gin.

      Reply
    • Colin Scheerschmidt July 24, 2020, 6:20 pm

      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

      Reply
  • Carol March 14, 2015, 1:33 pm

    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!

    Reply

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