How to make a Moscow Mule {Video}

There is nothing better than a classic Moscow mule! It's the perfect combination of vodka, lime, and ginger beer. This timeless cocktail recipe is straightforward to make and tastes fantastic.

Classic Moscow Mule

Do you ever feel the world conspires to tell you to try something?

That is how I feel about this recipe on how to make a Moscow mule.

Every time I turned around this summer, I felt like someone told me I needed to learn how to make a classic Moscow mule. Our friend Amanda from Where's Amanda was raving about them while we were on the Carnival Freedom together.

Another friend came over a few weeks ago and told me they were her favorite vodka cocktail this summer. So what is a girl to do but dive into making this classic cocktail?

How Did the Moscow Mule Originate?

Though their name suggests otherwise, Moscow mules did not originate in Moscow. They get their name from the use of vodka, a spirit associated with Russia, and the mule-like “kick” of ginger beer.

The Moscow mule originated from the need of one Russian immigrant, Sophie Berezinski, to liquidate 2,000 solid copper mugs produced by her father’s copper factory back home, exacerbated by her husband’s request that the mugs needed to go. She had taken them with her on arrival to the United States.

Lacking sales skills but with a determined heart, Sophie went door to door on Hollywood’s Sunset Strip to find buyers for the copper mugs. Her life changed forever when she walked into the Cock ’n’ Bull Pub and met John Martin, owner of the Smirnoff Vodka distillery, and Jack Morgan, owner of the pub, by complete happenstance.

Little did she know that both men faced a similar dilemma. John Martin had acquired the Smirnoff Vodka distillery but couldn’t turn a profit since America seemed more interested in beer, whiskey, and cocktail mainstays. Jack Morgan wanted to promote his ginger beer brand in a way that would pique America’s interest, though he wasn’t sure what that would entail.

On that 1941 day, the trio concocted a solution to their problems and a cocktail that would quickly make its mark on the American landscape and beyond. The right proportion of ginger beer to vodka and lime juice produced a tasty and refreshing cocktail with a bite, while the copper mug preserved its flavor and kept it cold.

I went all-in when I decided to start creating a Moscow Mule. I bought the proper Moscow Mule Copper Mug from Amazon and got all the ingredients ready.

Can I admit I went into making this Moscow mule with equal parts excitement and trepidation?

What happens if we don't like it after everyone has told us it is the most fantastic drink on the planet? Will we be weird Mule outcasts?

I am kidding, well, sort of kidding—but here's the thing. I didn't have to worry because we liked the Moscow Mules.

They are a great, refreshing drink on a hot summer day.

Since making this classic Moscow Mule cocktail, we have been diving into fun Mule variations.

For a fun twist, make an Irish Mule with Irish whiskey.

Mexican Mule - With tequila

Kentucky Mule - With Kentucky Bourbon

Orange Mule - With orange juice

Cranberry Mule - With cranberry juice

Tennessee Whiskey Mule - With Tennessee Whiskey

Blue Mule - With Blue Curacao

Apple Cider Mule - With apple cider

What variation should we make next? Maybe a gin mule?

How to Make a Moscow Mule at Home

We chill our mule mugs in the freezer before preparing any drinks. There’s a bit of science to the distinct flavor and feel of the Moscow mule, and making one isn’t as simple as pouring and mixing ingredients.

Copper is an element that heats and cools quickly, and the thermoconductive properties of copper mugs are essential to chilling the ingredients of a Moscow mule to the appropriate temperature.

Ice is the first ingredient in a Moscow mule. As soon as the ice hits the mug, it lowers the vessel’s temperature.

Vodka is the next ingredient. When poured over ice into a chilled vessel, its flavor and texture become smoother.

Ginger beer, the third ingredient, maintains carbonation and flavor for longer when poured into the chilled copper mug.

The citrusy notes of lime juice, the final ingredient in a Moscow mule, are also enhanced when added to the existing mix of ice, vodka, and ginger beer. Lime juice balances the natural spiciness of ginger beer.

What's in a Moscow Mule?

Here is a quick overview of the simple ingredients for making an epic Classic Moscow Mule Drink! The printable recipe card at the bottom of the post includes specific measurements and step-by-step instructions.

• Vodka
• Fresh Lime Juice
• Ginger Beer
• Mint
• Lime Wedge 

What kind of Vodka for Moscow Mule?

Smirnoff executive John Martin and his friend, bar owner Jack Morgan who owned Los Angeles's Cock and Bull Tavern, invented the classic Moscow Mule in the 1940s  to sell vodka. 

It is hard to believe that vodka was not well-known before this cocktail.

The best vodka to use is the one you have available. If you want to buy vodka specifically for this cocktail, you can use Smirnoff Vodka if you want to be historically correct.

Other vodka brands include Grey Goose, Tito's, Stolichnaya, Prairie Organic, Belvedere, Humboldt Organic, or a great local distillery.

What ginger beer to use for the best Moscow Mule?

Similar to vodka, the best ginger beer is the one you have available. We tend to reach for Fever Tree ginger beer, but many options exist.

Other favorite ginger beers include Maine Root Ginger Beer, Q Ginger Beer, Bundaberg Ginger Beer, Gosling's Stormy Ginger Beer, or Reed's Extra Ginger Brew.

We suggest trying a few until you find the one with the perfect ginger kick for your palate.

Is ginger beer the same as ginger ale?

The short answer is no, they are not the same thing. Ginger beer is typically spicier and has a more robust flavor.

Ginger beer is the product of fermenting fresh ginger and sugar. Ginger ale is produced by fermenting whey or mixing soda water/club soda with ginger syrup (natural or artificial).

Making a Moscow Mule with ginger ale is technically called a vodka buck. A buck cocktail has a spirit, citrus, and either ginger ale or ginger beer.

Does Ginger Beer contain Alcohol?

Spicy ginger beer is nonalcoholic. You can find it in the grocery store's soda/soft drink aisle.

Equipment Needed 

Copper mugs - Copper mugs are the classic look. If you don't have any copper mugs you can use a collins glass or highball glass.

Copper Jigger - For measuring the vodka

Black Matte Copper Mugs - these are totally different from the classic copper mugs. Such a fun twist.

Copper Pitcher - If you are making these for a party this copper pitcher is a cool way to make them ahead of time and serve them.

Why a copper mug for a Moscow Mule?

You have come to the right place if you have wondered why copper mugs are the primary vehicle for serving Moscow mules.

Copper conducts temperature, so copper mugs keep the drink cold once you add ice.

How to Make a Classic Moscow Mule

I've included complete instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, but here's a quick version.

We chill our mule mugs in the freezer before preparing any drinks. There’s a bit of science to the distinct flavor and feel of the Moscow mule, and making one isn’t as simple as pouring and mixing ingredients.

Copper is an element that heats and cools quickly, and the thermoconductive properties of copper mugs are essential to chilling the ingredients of a Moscow mule to the appropriate temperature.

1. Ice is the first ingredient in a Moscow mule. As soon as the ice hits the mug, it lowers the vessel’s temperature.
2. Vodka is the next ingredient. When poured over ice into a chilled vessel, its flavor and texture become smoother.
3. Ginger beer, the third ingredient, maintains carbonation and flavor for longer when poured into the chilled copper mug.

The citrusy notes of lime juice, the final ingredient in a Moscow mule, are also enhanced when added to the existing mix of ice, vodka, and ginger beer. Lime juice balances the natural spiciness of ginger beer.

Preparation and Storage

Make Ahead + Larger Group/More Servings: You can make pitcher-style Classic Moscow Mules ahead of time sans the ginger beer! We recommend adding ginger beer when serving your guests so you don’t miss out on the fizziness, as a flat Moscow mule doesn’t sound fun.

Storage: Mix the cocktail ingredients, minus the ginger beer, and refrigerate them for up to a few days before serving. Stir the mixture before pouring it into copper mugs to reincorporate the ingredients.

Freezing/How to Freeze: Classic Moscow Mule Slushies are easier to make than you think! Combine the cocktail ingredients in an airtight, freezer-safe container and freeze them overnight. When it’s time to serve, leave the container at room temperature until you can scoop out the slushies and transfer them to copper mugs.

 

Recipe Variations

Substitutions:

You can use your favorite vodka in this recipe. The flavor of the vodka is neutral compared to ginger beer, so you don't need to use an expensive brand.

For a boozier mule cocktail, you can swap out the non-alcoholic ginger beer for hard ginger beer.

Vegetarian + Vegan Option: The ingredients in the Classic Moscow Mule are typically vegetarian and vegan-friendly, making this a vegetarian and vegan-friendly cocktail recipe!

Gluten-Free: The ingredients in this cocktail are typically gluten-free, including ginger beer!

Alcohol-Free Option: Remove the vodka or use a zero-proof alternative to make Classic Moscow Mule Mocktails.

Make It Spicy: Ginger beer can vary in spiciness, so try a few varieties to determine what suits your palate!

Sugar-Free: The written recipe contains 13 grams of sugar per serving, with the sugar primarily coming from the ginger beer. Use a sugar-free ginger beer to make sugar-free Moscow mules.

 

Tips for the Best Classic Moscow Mule

• Before making our Moscow mules, I placed our copper mugs in the freezer to make them ice-cold for serving.
• Add a splash of simple syrup to make your drink a tad sweeter.
• Check out all of our ginger beer cocktails for more Moscow mule fun!

How many calories in a Moscow Mule?

Calories will vary slightly depending on the products used. The average is around 183 calories per copper mug.

To lower the number of calories you can use less vodka or use a diet ginger beer.

When is National Moscow Mule Day?

National Moscow Mule Day is March 3rd in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

National Vodka day is October 4th.

What to Serve with a Classic Moscow Mule

The Moscow Mule is a classic fizzy cocktail that’s also a fantastic all-rounder, with many fun twists to suit every occasion and season of the calendar year. Here are some menu planning suggestions.

Appetizers: Reuben Dip, Guinness Beer Cheese Dip

Sides: Fried Cabbage, Guinness Beer Bread, Green Jello Salad 

Entrees: Corned Beef Shepherd’s Pie, Easy Shepherd’s Pie, Guinness Corned Beef, Guinness Beef Stew, CrockPot Corned Beef and Cabbage

Dessert: Watergate Salad, Lucky Charms Treats, Fruity Pebbles Treats, Guinness Chocolate Balls, Baileys Whipped Cream

When to Serve a Classic Moscow Mule

• St. Patrick’s Day
• Cocktail Night
• Anytime you want a refreshing, classic drink!
• New Year's Eve
• Christmas Parties

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Recipe originally shared August 4, 2014, Updated on February 4, 2020, November 2022