Moscow Mule
intro
Crisp, zingy, and ice-cold, the classic Moscow Mule pairs smooth vodka with spicy ginger beer and bright lime, served in a frosty copper mug for peak summer refreshment.
Ingredients
Steps
Frost the copper mugs
Place 4 standard 12-oz copper mugs in your freezer on a flat shelf for 10 minutes to build a thin, even layer of frost on the exterior; this pre-chill prevents rapid ice melt and keeps drinks cold for 30+ minutes in warm weather.
Prep fresh lime juice
Set 2 medium limes on a wooden cutting board, roll each firmly under your palm for 10 seconds to break down internal pulp and maximize juice yield, then cut in half and squeeze to collect 60 ml (4 tbsp) of strained juice, discarding all seeds and tough pulp.
Add ice and vodka
Remove frosted mugs from the freezer, fill each mug 3/4 full with 2 cups (300g) of crushed ice per mug, then pour 60 ml (2 fl oz) of chilled vodka directly over the ice in each mug to start the chilling process immediately.
Combine lime and vodka
Add 15 ml (1 tbsp) of strained fresh lime juice to each mug, then stir the ice, vodka, and lime mixture rapidly with a long stainless steel bar spoon for 10 seconds, until the outside of the mug feels frosty and the mixture reaches 4°C (39°F).
Top with ginger beer
Slowly pour 180 ml (6 fl oz) of well-chilled ginger beer down the inner side of each mug, rather than directly onto the ice, to preserve the soda's bright carbonation; do not stir vigorously after adding ginger beer to avoid flattening the fizz.
Garnish and serve
Perch 1 fresh lime wedge on the rim of each mug, add 1 thin slice of candied ginger to the drink for extra spicy sweetness if desired, and serve immediately with a short copper stir stick, no additional ice required.
Tips
2.If you don’t have traditional copper mugs, use heavy-bottomed highball glasses chilled in the freezer for 10 minutes as a substitute; avoid thin glassware that warms quickly in summer heat.
3.For a fun, spicy variation, add 1 thin slice of fresh jalapeño or 1 dash of Angostura bitters to each mug before topping with ginger beer for extra depth.
OMG this is SO good! I made these for our weekend potluck and everyone was begging for the recipe. I was worried it’d be fussy since I’m not much of a cocktail person, but it was so easy to throw together in 10 minutes! The ginger beer kick is perfect, not too sweet at all. Total game changer for our summer cookouts from now on.
Super simple recipe, even for someone who never mixes drinks! I made these for our family taco night last night — I did a virgin batch with ginger beer and lime for the kids, and my teen son (who turns his nose up at every fancy non-soda drink I make) asked for a second. The alcoholic version for the grown-ups was a huge hit too! Only thing I did different was use a little less ginger beer in mine because I don’t love super bubbly drinks, still turned out great.
Made this after a long day on the trails with my buddies last weekend, and it hit the spot. No fancy equipment needed, no weird hard-to-find ingredients. I didn’t have copper mugs so we just used regular tumblers and it still tasted exactly like the ones I order at our local bar. Will be making this on the regular for camping trips too.
Brought these to my neighbor’s backyard BBQ over the weekend and they were gone in 20 minutes! I pre-batched the vodka and lime juice ahead of time (meal prep win!) then topped with ginger beer right before serving so it stayed nice and bubbly. 10/10, will be adding this to my go-to party drink rotation.
Wait, I can make a restaurant-quality Moscow Mule at home in 10 minutes? Sign me up! I made these for my girlfriend and I during our Friday date night in, and she said they were better than the ones we get at the fancy cocktail spot downtown. I added a little candied ginger on top for garnish, which made it feel extra special without any extra work.