Moscow Mules are one of the best cocktails. With just three ingredients, they are so easy, yet they are also very flavorful and versatile. Learn how to customize this effervescent vodka cocktail with different spirits, juices and syrups for an even more delicious drink.
DISCLAIMER
*This post may contain affiliate links, meaning Feast + West may receive commissions for purchases made through those links — at no cost to you. All opinions are our own. Please read our full disclosure for more information.
Your ultimate guide to Moscow Mules
As soon as someone finds out what I do for a living, they want to know what my favorite cocktail is. And truly, there are so many amazing drinks out there that I cannot pick just one.
If pressed, however, I’d have to admit that Moscow mules are near the top of my list. There’s something about the sweet and spicy combo that is so refreshing. Plus, I’m a sucker for almost all things ginger.
I like to recommend mules to anyone new to mixing cocktails, because they are so easy to make and customize. They fit right in at any occasion, from a pumpkin spice mule at Thanksgiving to a gingerbread or white cranberry mule during the holidays. With so many options, there’s a variation everyone will love!
What you need to make mules
For a basic Moscow mule, you just need a few ingredients and tools:
- Ginger beer provides spice and bubbles to your bevvy.
- I always recommend fresh lime juice if you have it on hand, but feel free to use a good quality lime concentrate.
juice boost
Want to get the most juice out of your citrus? Let it sit at room temperature for a few hours before juicing. Cold fruit holds onto its juice, while warmer fruit releases it more easily, giving you better results with less effort.
- The classic mule recipe calls for plain vodka, but it’s totally acceptable to use a flavored vodka like sweet tea vodka or caramel vodka. In other words, have fun at the liquor store and dream up your own creations.
- The mule is often served in a copper mug known as a mule mug. Copper insulates them to keep them ice cold, which also helps to bring out the flavors in this classic cocktail. You can also use a regular glass if you don’t have one handy! In fact, the rum version of the mule, called the Dark & Stormy, is usually served in a Collins glass * or highball glass *.
favorite mule mugs
Buy Now → 
Buy Now → 
Buy Now → *
Would you like to save this?
We'll email a link to you, so you can come back to it later! Plus you'll get great new recipes each week!
Moscow Mule variations
Once you’ve mastered the traditional Moscow Mule, try switching up the main spirit. You can swap it out for flavored vodkas and other spirits like whiskey, gin and tequila. This substitution usually gives the drink a different name, such as the Mexican Mule for tequila or the Scotch mule for Scotch whisky.
You can also experiment with flavor. Try adding fruit flavors with juices, infused alcohol or simple syrup. You can also add muddled fruit and creative garnishes to play with the taste and aroma of the drink.
FAQ
The Moscow mule is an alcoholic cocktail traditionally made with vodka, lime juice and ginger beer. It’s an easy, quaffable drink that can be enjoyed year-round. Though it’s called a “Moscow” mule, it’s actually an American drink. The name refers to the vodka’s origin in Russia. It is often served in a copper mug, but you can also use a glass if you don’t have one handy!
Use this ratio to help you dream up your own Moscow mule concoctions:
1 ½ ounce vodka (or other spirit)
½ ounce fresh lime juice
4 ounces ginger beer
½ to 1 ounce muddled fruit or simple syrup, optional
Pour your spirit of choice into a mule mug. Add lime juice and stir them together. (If you are adding another type of juice or simple syrup, add it now and stir it in.) Top with ice cubes. Add ginger beer over the top. Garnish with a fresh lime wedge or lime wheel.
I prefer the flavor of a spicy ginger beer, which has more of a zing of ginger, but you can go sweeter here if you like. Check out my list of the best ginger beer brands to help you decide on a spice level that’s right for you.
You can make a mule with ginger ale if you prefer or if you don’t have ginger beer on hand. You can also substitute a combination ginger syrup and club soda to adjust the sweetness level to your tastes.
Mules are pretty flavorful on their own, so you can simply omit the alcohol or substitute a zero-proof spirit to make a mule mocktail.
Moscow Mule variations
From changing up the main spirit to adding juices, syrups or muddled fruit, there are so many ways to make a delicious Moscow mule. Here are some of our favorites:
Variations on the Classic Mule recipe
Mules with Different Spirits
Flavored mules
Not-Really-Mules but Still Delicious!
What to serve with Moscow Mules
Try a sweet and spicy Moscow mule with savory, salty and cheesy snacks. Try them with baked brie or marinated cheese for an appetizer.
You can also enjoy these flavors as poppable Moscow mule jello shots or chewy, iced Moscow mule cookies. Both of these would be great for parties where you serve Moscow mules.
FAQ
The Moscow mule is a classic cocktail made with vodka, ginger beer and lime. Its name comes from Russia, where vodka originated, though it can be made with other spirits, including rum, bourbon, gin, brandy, tequila, mezcal, and more.
Traditionally, mules have been served in copper mugs, but this is more due to science than history. Copper naturally conducts temperature well, so this material works to insulate the drink inside. Mules are best served ice cold, and the traditional mug is the perfect vessel for keeping them frigid. A chilly temperature also helps to brighten the effervescence of the ginger beer, bringing out the flavor more. If you don’t have a mule mug, a rocks glass is a perfectly fine substitute.
Never put them in the dishwasher. After using copper mugs for a cocktail, clean them with hot water and dish soap. Don’t let any liquid sit in them. If the mug is tarnished, you can return it to its shiny glory with a simple formula. Use 3 parts baking soda and 1 part vinegar to create a paste, then rub it on the mug with a sponge or cloth and let it sit. After 5 minutes, hand wash in warm water and rinse to remove the baking soda mixture and the tarnish.
Leave a Reply