Moscow Mule Recipe

When it comes to cocktails this Moscow Mule recipe is up there with a classic Margarita or French Martini. It’s made with just 3 basic ingredients and takes no more than 5 minutes to make so it’s perfect for parties or a last-minute tipple. It’s typically served in beautiful copper mugs which are super easy to find online these days and look so impressive. It’s super refreshing so it’s the perfect summer drink for cooling down after a hot day but it’s as equally as fun and appropriate during the holidays thanks to the festive and warming ginger beer (that’s right, you can enjoy this cocktail all year long!). 

This recipe shows you how to make a classic Moscow Mule with all the tips for achieving the best flavor but I’ve also included some popular variations that are just as easy and delicious as the original!

What you need to make this recipe

Vodka – If possible, don’t use the cheapest brand but instead a brand you know and trust. The taste and quality of the vodka will make a difference since this is a super simple cocktail.

Ginger beer – I recommend Fever Tree ginger beer for making the best Moscow Mule because it’s made with real ginger and no artificial sweeteners it really has the best firey ginger flavor. If you can get your hands on it it will really take your cocktail up a notch!

Fresh lime juice – avoid any bottled lime juice if you can it’s nowhere near as refreshing and tasty as freshly squeezed lime juice and you don’t need much. Make sure to keep some limes for garnish too!

How to make this a Moscow Mule

1. Juice the lime and cut up some wedges for garnish.

2. Fill a Moscow Mule mug with ice and then add in the lime juice.

3. Next, add the vodka and ginger beer.

4. Stir to combine and top with extra lime wedges.

Pro tips for making this recipe

• Always use fresh lime juice as your cocktail won’t taste nice at all with the bottled stuff.
• Good quality vodka and ginger beer make a big difference, I recommend using Fever Tree ginger beer for best flavor.
• The Moscow Mule mugs are super easy to find online and can be fairly inexpensive especially if you keep an eye out for sales. Don’t worry if you don’t have them though, this cocktail will taste just as good in a glass (I recommend using a highball or Collins glass).
• For an extra firey ginger kick, you can muddle in some fresh ginger too.  To Muddle – cut 3 thumb-sized slices of ginger (peeled) and bash or bruise them in your mug or glass to release the juices before adding your ice and other ingredients.
• Just like the fresh ginger, you can muddle in different fruits and herbs such as berries, apples, watermelon, and mint. It’s a great way to experiment with seasonal flavors.
• Candied ginger is easy to find in supermarkets and makes a fun garnish with the fresh limes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does the Moscow Mule come from?

Even although the name suggests that this classic cocktail comes from Moscow it’s actually an American creation from the 1940s. The name comes from the spirit used (vodka) and that it’s so icy cold just like Moscow in the winter. You can swap the vodka for different spirits to create other variations (see my list below).

Why is it served in a copper mug?

Traditionally, this cocktail is served in iconic copper mugs which was thought to keep the cocktail nice and cold for longer. Because copper conducts hot and cold extremely well it makes the Moscow Mule seem colder as you’re drinking it by making your hands and lips cold but it doesn’t actually keep the drink itself any colder than a glass would. Although they look super impressive and pretty for serving up at parties you don’t need to use them, a Collins glass or highball glass filled with ice will also work really well.

What’s the difference between ginger beer and ginger ale?

Ginger beer is much stronger in flavor than ginger ale because it’s brewed for a few days using fresh ginger. Ginger ale is made using carbonated water and ginger syrup so the flavor is much more subtle. I always recommend using a good brand of ginger beer for this Moscow Mule recipe but if you can only find ginger ale you can use that too with some added fresh ginger.

A Moscow Mule Vs the Horsefeather cocktail

A Horsefeather is basically a whiskey version of a Moscow Mule also containing ginger beer and lime juice but unlike a Kentucky or Scottish Mule (see below) the Horsefeather also contains bitters (such as Angostura bitters).

What types of mules are there?

There are a few classic and fun variations of this cocktail and all of them are super easy to make, check out the variations below.

Mexican Mule – make a Mexican Mule using Tequila instead of vodka.

Kentucky Mule – replace the vodka with Bourbon to make a Kentucky Mule.

Scottish Mule – use Scotch whiskey instead of vodka.

Irish Mule – use Irish whiskey instead of vodka.

Gin Gin Mule (Gin Buck) – to make a Gin Gin mule replace the vodka with gin.

Dark ‘n Stormy – to make this replace the vodka with dark rum.

Oaxacan Mule – Swap the vodka for Mezcal.

If you’ve tried this Moscow Mule Recipe then don’t forget to leave a rating and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you!