Classic Moscow Mule
Learn how to make the best Moscow Mule cocktail! Moscow Mules are so easy to make at home once you know which ginger beer and vodka to buy.
Updated by Kathryne Taylor on August 1, 2024
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Today, I’m sharing everything you need to know about Moscow mules. Ready?! Moscow mules are delightfully fizzy drinks made with fiery ginger beer, vodka and fresh lime.
Moscow mules are refreshing on hot summer days, sure, but they’re also holiday-appropriate thanks to the strong ginger flavor. They strike that elusive balance between spicy, sweet and strong, and I’d sip one any day.
Bonus: Moscow mules are super easy to make. You’ll need just three basic ingredients:
- Vodka
- Ginger beer
- Fresh lime
The ginger beer component makes the biggest difference between a so-so and fantastic Moscow mule. So, I bought all the ginger beers I could find and tried them at home. Keep reading to find my recommendations!
Watch How to Make Moscow Mules
Moscow Mule Ingredients
1) Vodka
Tito’s brand vodka is my go-t0 for Moscow mules. Tito’s is affordable, high quality and made not-so-far-away in Austin, Texas.
The ginger beer dominates the other flavors so much that any decent vodka on your shelf will do, really.
2) Ginger Beer
The best ginger beer for Moscow mules is Fever-Tree brand ginger beer. Mara said, “It tastes the most like a Moscow mule,” and I wholeheartedly agreed. Fever-Tree’s ginger beer has the most clear and pronounced fresh ginger flavor, thanks to a blend of three gingers from Nigeria, Cochin and the Ivory Coast.
I found my Fever-Tree at Natural Grocers, but I’ve also seen it at Whole Foods, World Market and Amazon (affiliate link). If you’re curious, you’ll find our ginger beer tasting notes below.
3) Fresh Lime
Be sure to squeeze your lime juice from fresh limes. Don’t use the stale bottled stuff (for anything, ever).
Copper Mug Notes
Moscow mules are typically served in copper mugs, which make them seem extra-cold and refreshing. Why? Copper is an excellent conductor, meaning that cold or hot temperatures spread rapidly through the material.
While the copper material of your mug doesn’t actually make the drink colder, it makes it seem colder than it would if you were drinking it out of a regular glass or mug.
If you don’t have copper mugs at home, you can get by with a regular cocktail glass. If you’re shopping for copper mugs, be sure to buy food-safe mugs that are not copper on the inside. Copper leaches into acidic foods and poses health risks, yikes!
Moscow Mule History
Rumor has it that the Moscow mule is a product of American capitalism. Three business owners with a surplus of vodka, ginger beer and copper mugs schemed up a plan to get rid of their excess products, and a delicious cocktail was born.
The details are murky, but Moscow mules actually helped popularize vodka in the 1940s when it was new to the United States.
Easy Variations on Moscow Mules
- Kentucky Mule or Horsefeather: Use bourbon/whiskey instead of vodka.
- Gin-Gin Mule: Use gin instead of vodka.
- Mexican Mule: Use tequila instead of vodka.
- Jamaican Mule or Cuban Mule: Use rum instead of vodka.
- Dark ‘n Stormy: Use Gosling’s spiced rum instead of vodka.
Ginger Beer Tasting Notes
A couple of ginger ales snuck in, but you definitely need intensely-flavored ginger beer for a great Moscow mule! Here they are, ranked from best to worst.
- Fever-Tree Premium Ginger Beer: This ginger beer offers the most straightforward ginger flavor. It burns so good!
- Bottoms Up Ginger Beer: This ginger beer doesn’t seem to be as carbonated as the rest. It doesn’t offer as much ginger flavor as Fever-Tree, but I like it.
- Fentiman’s Ginger Beer: This ginger beer has a lot of bite. It’s yeasty, with a kombucha-like fermented flavor that distracts from the ginger.
- Reed’s Extra Ginger Brew: This ginger beer has more of a bite than ginger ale, but it’s still mostly clear and doesn’t pack enough ginger punch.
Please let me know how your Moscow mules turn out in the comments! I hope you make the best Moscow mule you’ve ever had.
Looking for more cold, classic cocktails? Don’t miss my recipes for the perfect Aperol spritz, red sangria and fresh margarita.
Moscow Mule Cocktail
Learn how to make the best Moscow Mule cocktail! They are so easy to make. Recipe yields 1 cocktail.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vodka (I recommend Tito’s brand)
- ½ ounce fresh lime juice (about ½ medium lime)
- 4 ounces ginger beer (I recommend Fever-Tree brand)
- Lime wedge, for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a copper mug or similarly sized glass with ice. Pour in the vodka and lime juice. Fill the glass with ginger beer and gently swirl it with a spoon once to mix.
- Garnish with a lime wedge, and enjoy!
Notes
Change it up: Garnish your Moscow Mule with a sprig of fresh mint for a drink reminiscent of a mint julep.
Recommended equipment: I love this citrus juicer for squeezing limes and lemons, and this stainless steel jigger for measuring small amounts of liquid. (Those are affiliate links.)
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. See our full nutrition disclosure here.
The best ginger beer – ever – is Bundaberg Ginger Beer. It can be hard to find, but if you can get it, give it a try. I’m sure you will agree! Love this site and try lots of your suggestions!!
I’ve been a big fan of Moscow Mules forever and I don’t hesitate to share my love for them. Maine Root makes a great Ginger Brew as well. They call it wicked spicy! It is yum. When I can’t find Fever Tree, Maine Root does nicely! I use Pinnacle Vodka, also known as ‘baby goose’ (for Grey Goose Vodka)
I introduced Moscow Mules to 2 neighbors at outside socially distanced get togethers on my front lawn here in VT. this summer!
I feel that the ginger beer has lots of carbs and sugar so I used Goslings diet Ginger beer and it was still WONDERFUL!!
Followed your instructions adapted to 4oz Titos; 1 lg lime; 6.8 oz Fever Tree GB (full bottle) and OMG is this the best cocktail ever!!!!
I’ve never bought ginger beer, but ended up buying Fever Tree without knowing it’s the one you recommended! So I made this recipe, and the ginger was too strong for me. But that’s just personal preference – I added an ounce of simple syrup, and I like it much better. But I agree – if the ginger flavor is too weak, you just end up with vodka, tonic, and lime. I actually love those, but sometimes you need something with more bite – and this Moscow Mule does the trick! I’m using Baikalskaya vodka. It’s vodka made with water from Lake Baikal in Siberia. I spent a couple months in Siberia, and I brought it back to the States. Very smooth!
Thank you for your details, Joy! I’m glad it was helpful.
If it’s available to you, try Goya Jamaican style ginger beer. Packs a whallop!
I love Moscow Mules. Thank you for the insight on the ginger beer. I find that key as well to making the most flavorful mule. Have a wonderful and safe holiday season!
Well Im in Fl trying to make the Monster Mule having a real hard time figuring it out
Never even heard of this cocktail before certainly will be trying in near future.
I hope you love it! Thank you for your review.
I’m hooked on Moscow Mules! Not really but…
I’ve just found Fever Tree ginger beer at Costco today. WOW, it is good and really packs a ginger taste.
Wanting to purchase copper mugs-do you have any suggestions?
Also, do you have recipes for holiday Moscow mules?
I can’t wait to try this recipe.
Hi! The links you can find in the post. 18 Festive Holiday Cocktails has some great festive cocktails!
of course, I used Tito’s and for the ginger beer, I used some homemade ginger kombucha. Added fresh lime and a few mint sprigs and yum yum. It may be NYE in WI but the copper cup is a must.
For a bit more of a hit try using an alcoholic ginger beer! We have lots of choices here in Australia, with my favourite being Diablo from the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. It has a good ginger hit with a subtle chilli finish.
My new fave cocktail
So the one thing I would propose is an alcoholic ginger beer, and as an additional kiss, some mint stirred into the drink. Mint seems to compliment the ginger
Runamok Maple makes a Maple Ginger Mule mixer that adds even more flavor to this recipe. Worth trying – highly addictive!
Excellent Moscow mule!
Great to hear you enjoyed it!
Kate thank you for sharing your recipe
I just made my first ones for my girlfriend and I we absolutely loved them thanks again for sharing
You’re welcome, Jonathan!
Just made this recipe using the Fever Tree ginger beer. I found it a little strong but I still liked it. My husband liked it very much
I am using diet ginger beer (Goslings). Hope I don’t hate it!!
Love moscow mules! Have you tried Cock n Bull ginger beer? It’s my favorite for mules!
Is it true that using a copper mug actually enhances the taste of a Moscow Mule, or is it just a marketing gimmick? Have there been any studies or research done on this topic?”,
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