The Moscow Mule is a refreshing and spicy cocktail with vodka, ginger beer, lime, and mint. Easy to make yourself!
Ingredients
- Vodka 30-45 ml
- Ginger beer 1 can
- Lime juice 1/2 lime
- Mint 1-2 sprigs
- Optional: Angostura bitters A few dashes (drops)
Bar tools
How to make
- In mug
Instructions
- Use a copper cup filled with crushed ice
- Add 45 ml of vodka using a jigger
- Then fresh lime juice from half a lime
- Now pour approximately half of a can of ginger beer out until your cup is filled
- Simply stir (and taste) with a bar spoon
- Garnish with mint and a lime slice in the cup
About the name: Moscow is a reference to Russian vodka. The word Mule refers to the “kick” that the ginger beer adds to the cocktail.
Easy-to-make cocktail with lime, vodka, and ginger beer
The Moscow Mule is very easy to make in terms of ingredients and preparation. Yet, this cocktail has a stylish appeal. This is also due to its presentation. It’s no coincidence that it was a common cocktail in the American hit series Mad Men, alongside the Old Fashioned.
Why do you drink the Moscow Mule from a copper cup?
The Moscow Mule is a classy drink that you enjoy from an original copper cup (or mug). The copper mug isn’t just stylish in appearance. The material also prevents the ice from melting quickly, keeping your cocktail extra cold for longer. Additionally, the handle allows you to hold the cocktail without your hand getting cold.
Garnish your Moscow Mule in style
The most common garnish is with lime and mint (as mentioned above). Also delicious with cucumber and lemon or orange with ginger.
You can also garnish with dehydrated fruit such as lime, orange, or even ginger.
The origin of the Moscow Mule
How a clever businessman conquered the US with vodka and ginger beer in the 1940s
To understand the origin of the Moscow Mule, we need to go back to the 1940s in the US. What we know for sure is that a businessman had purchased the rights to Smirnoff vodka for his beverage company. However, he couldn’t get Americans interested in vodka. Vodka was not particularly popular in the United States at that time. Additionally, he had ordered a lot of ginger beer. Worried that he would be left with excess stock, he needed to come up with a solution.
At a acquaintance’s copperware company, he had copper mugs made. Armed with his drinks and these special copper mugs, he visited bartenders across the country. During each visit, he took two Polaroid photos, capturing them posing with the Moscow Mule in the mug. He left one photo behind and took the other as proof to show the next bartender. And thus, this businessman (John Martin) turned out to be the first successful influencer!
We personally enjoy ginger beer that is spicy, such as those from Thomas Henry or Pimento. The Old Jamaican is a bit softer and fresher but also works well in this drink.
Andere cocktails met ginger beer
I find ginger beer delightful as a spicy mixer in cocktails. With vodka, rum, tequila, whiskey, and gin, it complements almost everything. Another world-famous cocktail with ginger beer is the Dark ‘n’ Stormy, made with ginger beer, lime, and dark rum. A variation we’ve made ourselves as an autumn cocktail is the Mandarine Mule with mandarin and Napoleon liqueur. Below, you’ll see the Kentucky Mule and the Mexican Mule.
Alcohol-free Moscow Mule aka Ginger Mule
The flavour of ginger beer lends itself perfectly to turning this cocktail into an alcohol-free version without vodka. A Ginger Mule. Simply make it with ginger beer, lime, and mint. If you want to replace the vodka with an alcohol-free spirit, I recommend Seedlip Grove 42 or a non-alcoholic gin.
