Are you looking for cocktails to add to your summer soiree drinks menu? Something that has a spicy kick of ginger reminding you of the holidays, a citrusy refreshment to it as well as has the strength of a classic alcoholic drink? The friendly neighborhood Moscow mule cocktail has your back! We have added 14 variations of the Moscow mule recipe as well as three bonus unique recipes. Spicy, fizzy, strong, and fresh, these drinks are guaranteed to be the main attraction at your party.

The Story Of Moscow Mule

Before we delve into the full recipe of this classic ginger beer-vodka cocktail, let’s find out how the drink was created. Moscow mule was born out of necessity around the 1940s when vodka wasn’t a popular drink in the USA and generally joked about for being very ‘Russian.’

It was during this time that John. G. Martin, an alcohol seller, found himself in hot water after having bought Smirnoff vodka and not being able to reap the benefits of it at all. There just wasn’t any demand for vodka.

However, one day, as he ended up striking a conversation with the owner of the Cock ‘n’ Bullbar of L.A., he realized that even he had his issues with selling the stacks of ginger beer that he’d bought for the bar. Then there was yet another businesswoman who talked about not being able to sell her copper mugs because no one wanted them.

It was then that these three people came together, and decided to mix the two drinks and serve them in the copper mugs. With serious marketing, the cocktail soon gained popularity and recognition.

Though the origins of the name ‘Moscow Mule’ that was eventually given to the drink are unknown, it’s said to have been given the name due to the association of vodka with Russia and the kick that ginger contributes to the drink.

Main Ingredients Used for Moscow Mule

1. Vodka

Vodka pretty much forms the base of the classic Moscow mule cocktail. As Ginger beer significantly dominates most flavors of the drink, there isn’t any preferred vodka brand that you should use. However, Tito’s Vodka is recommended in many recipes, as it is known to add a great taste and strong flavor to your Moscow mule.

2. Ginger Beer

Ginger beer makes the Moscow mule cocktail what it is. The kind of ginger beer used is an important factor for a delicious Moscow mule drink. Fever-Tree Ginger beer and Q Ginger beer are some of the best ginger beer brands. Make sure to choose brands that don’t use artificial flavors or sweeteners.

3. Fresh Lime Juice

Fresh lime juice is another significant ingredient that gives this drink a unique flavor. The citrus flavor of lime juice balances the bold flavor of vodka and makes this drink refreshing. It is best to extract the lime juice fresh at home rather than using the ones available at the grocery store.

Moscow Mule Mugs

Moscow mule is served in copper mugs not only to honor its tradition but also because it helps keep the drink colder. Serving the drink in a copper mug is the finishing touch you give to the recipe.

Classic Moscow Mule

Serves: 1 person

Ingredients:

• Vodka- ¼ cup/ 2 oz
• Ginger beer- ½ cup/ 4 oz
• Fresh lime juice- 1 tbsp/ ½ oz
• Crushed ice
• Lime wedge- 1 (garnishing)
• Fresh mint- 1-2 leaves (garnishing)

Instructions:

1. Pour in the lime juice with crushed ice, in a chilled copper mug.
2. Pour vodka into the mug.
3. Fill the glass with ginger beer and stir gently.
4. Garnish with a lime wheel or wedge and mint leaves and serve cold.

Moscow mule is all about the carbonation in ginger beer. This drink is not mixed in a cocktail shaker to preserve the carbonation. It should be mixed right in the mug and served over ice.

Variations

The recipe given above is for a classic Moscow mule cocktail This can be jazzed up with new flavors and ingredients. Our top 12 cocktail recipes of different Moscow mule variations are given as follows. There are three additional variations to the Moscow mule given at the end for those who love their drinks with an unconventional twist!

1. Kentucky Bourbon Mule

Adding in Bourbon as a substitute for vodka is a great way to the classic recipe a twist. The classic Moscow mule remains the same to make a Kentucky Mule, except the vodka is replaced with 1.5 oz of Kentucky bourbon. The flavors of the bourbon blend with ginger beer give a unique taste to the drink.

Serves: 1 person

Ingredients:

• Kentucky Bourbon- 1.5 oz
• Ginger beer- ½ cup/ 4 oz
• Fresh lime juice- 1 tbsp/ ½ oz
• Crushed ice
• Lime wedge- 1 (garnishing)
• Fresh mint sprig- 1 (garnishing)

Instructions:

1. Pour in the lime juice with crushed ice in a chilled copper mug.
2. Pour Kentucky Bourbon into the mug.
3. Fill the glass with ginger beer and stir gently.
4. Garnish with a lime wheel or wedge and mint sprig and serve cold.

2. Mexican Mule

Mexican Mule is a bold, bubbly, and zingy spin on the traditional Moscow mule. For this recipe, replace the vodka with equal parts of tequila. The medley of tequila and ginger is sure to turn up the heat at your party!

3. Irish Mule

This recipe variant puts an Irish spin on a classic cocktail while remaining true to its refreshing roots. The vodka is swapped with Irish Whisky and is one of the most popular Moscow Mules.

4. Garden Mule

This blend of fresh cucumber and blueberries, along with the classic flavors of the traditional Moscow mule cocktail, is sure to stun your guests with its fruity flavors. This interpretation of the classic recipe can also work well with tequila or gin.

Serves: 1 person

Ingredients:

• Vodka-  2 oz.
• Ginger beer- ½ cup
• Fresh lime juice- 1 oz.
• Cucumber- 4 Slices
• Ice cubes
• Blueberries- 16 (Reserve 4 for garnish)
• Candied ginger- 1 piece (garnishing)
• Fresh Mint sprig- 1 (garnishing)

Instructions:

1. In a cocktail shaker, put cucumber, eight blueberries, and mint leaves.
2. Shake until everything inside is crushed and turned juicy.
3. Pour in the vodka, lime juice, and ice.
4. Shake for 10 seconds.
5. Add ice cubes to a copper mug and strain the liquid into it.
6. Now, add ginger beer and four blueberries.
7. Garnish with candied ginger, the remaining four blueberries, and a sprig of mint.

5. Jalapeño Moscow Mule (Kicking Mule)

This Moscow mule cocktail variation is the ultimate hot-cool combination of mint and jalapeño to amplify the flavors of the traditional Moscow mule.

Serves: 1

Ingredients:

• Vodka- 2 oz
• Ginger beer- 4-5 oz.
• Lime juice- ½ oz.
• Jalapeño slices (without the seeds)- 1-2
• Ice cubes
• Sprig of fresh mint – 1(garnishing)
• Fresh lemon wedge -1 (garnishing)

Instructions:

1. Smash lime juice, mint, and jalapeño slices at the bottom of a mixing glass using a muddler.
2. Add vodka.
3. Add ice and shake well.
4. Strain the mixture into one of the chilled copper cups filled with ice.
5. Pour ginger beer over the mixture.
6. Garnish with a lemon wedge, jalapeño slice, and sprig of mint.

6. Mule Driver (Ginger and Orange combination)

The Mule Driver is a ginger beer cocktail in a highball glass – the Screwdriver. The citrusy freshness paired with the spicy ginger flavors of ginger beer in this spin on the Moscow mule is a hit combo.

Serves: 1 person

Ingredients:

• Vodka- 1.5 oz.
• Ginger beer- 4-5 oz.
• Orange juice- 1 oz.
• Lime juice- ½ oz.
• Ice cubes
• Orange slice – 1 (garnishing)
• Fresh lemon slice- 1 (garnishing)

Instructions:

1. Add vodka, orange juice, and lime juice into a copper mug filled with ice.
2. Pour ginger beer over the vodka mixture until the cup is full.
3. Garnish with slices of orange and lime.

7. Dark ‘N’ Stormy

Dark ‘n’ Stormy is an offshoot of the original Moscow Mule that combines tropical flavors of dark rum with cold ginger beer. Rum mellows down the brighter flavors in the classic cocktail with a sweet and dark finish.

Serves: 1 person

Ingredients:

• Ginger beer- 4-5 oz.
• Black Seal rum- 2 oz.
• Lime juice- ½ oz.
• Lime slice-1 (garnishing)

Instructions:

1. Mix rum and lime juice in a copper mug filled with ice.
2. Top the mixture off with ginger beer until the cup is full.
3. Garnish with a lime slice.

8. Strawberry Moscow Mule

Strawberry Moscow Mule is a summertime cocktail. This recipe uses sweet strawberries that kick the spiciness of the ginger beer off. Fresh grinds of black pepper add a complex touch by bringing out the sweetness of the strawberries.

Serves: 1 person

Ingredients:

• Ginger beer- 4 oz.
• Vodka- 2 oz.
• Lime juice- ½ oz.
• Fresh strawberries (Remove stems and slice. Reserve one for garnish)- 5-6 small ones, 2-3 Large
• Fresh black pepper (if needed)- 1 or 2 grinds
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. Smash the strawberry slices with lime juice in a shaker tin with a muddler.
2. Add vodka.
3. Add ice and shake well.
4. Strain the mixture into a chilled copper mug with ice.
5. Pour ginger beer over the vodka mixture.
6. Garnish with a strawberry.
7. Add in the grinds of pepper for an extra special touch.

9. Watermelon Moscow Mule

This variant is bright, festive, refreshing, and pink. The watermelon in this cocktail gives it hydrating qualities and a unique flavor.

Serves: 1 person

Ingredients:

• Ginger beer- 4- 5 oz.
• Vodka- 1.5 oz.
• Watermelon chunks- 3
• Lime juice- ½ oz.
• Fresh mint sprig- 1 (garnishing)
• Watermelon slice- 1 (garnishing)

Instructions:

1. Put the chunks of watermelon and lime juice in a shaker tin, and crush them using a muddler.
2. Pour vodka into the tin, add ice, and shake.
3. Strain the mixture into a copper mug with ice.
4. Add ginger beer to this mixture until full.
5. Garnish with a watermelon slice and mint sprig.

10. Cherry Moscow Mule

This cherry Moscow mule uses the juice of cherries and pairs it with vodka, lime juice, and ginger beer. If you don’t like your drink to be too sweet, you can use tart cherry juice or regular beer in this recipe. The taste of vodka, ginger beer, and cherries leaves a great aftertaste.

Serves: 1 person ( 1 drink)

Ingredients:

• Ginger beer- 3 oz.
• Vodka- 2 oz.
• Ginger ale- 3 oz.
• Cherry juice- 1½ Splashes
• Lime juice- ½ oz.
• Lime wedge – 1 (garnishing)

Instructions:

1. Add the ginger beer and ginger ale into a copper mug.
2. Add some vodka in the mix with lime juice and cherry juice.
3. Stir to combine all the flavors.
4. Add ice and garnish with a lime wedge.

11. Georgia Mule

This Georgian twist is sure to hit home with Southerners. The peach and ginger combo will give you the good old Southern feel.

Serves: 1 person (1 drink)

Ingredients:

For the ginger-peach puree:

• 2-3 Large ripe peaches pitted and cut in half
• 1 One-inch piece of fresh ginger with skin removed
• Lemon juice- ¼ cup
• Water-  ¼ cup
• Honey (use more if peaches are tart)- 2 tbsp

For the drink:

• Vodka- 1.5 oz.
• Ginger beer- 4-5 oz.
• Ginger-peach puree- 1 oz.
• Fresh peach slices- 1-2 (garnishing)
• Candied ginger- 1 piece (garnishing)

Instructions:

1. Add all ingredients for making peach puree into the blender and blend until smooth. Taste and adjust flavors as needed.
2. Strain well and discard all solids.
3. Add in the vodka and the ginger peach puree into a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake well.
4. Strain the mixture into a copper mug with ice.
5. Pour ginger beer over the mixture until the cup is full.
6. Garnish with thin peach slices and candied ginger.

12. Skinny Mule

The Skinny Mule is meant as a low-sugar, low-calorie substitute for the classic Moscow mule. Your diet-conscious guests wouldn’t have to worry about high caloric intake at your party anymore.

Serves: 1 person (1 drink)

Ingredients:

• Organic vodka- 1.5 oz.
• Ginger beer- 4-5 oz.
• Lime juice- ½ oz.
• Lime Slice- 1 (garnishing)

Instructions:

1. Squeeze lime juice into one of the Moscow mule mugs filled with ice.
2. Add organic vodka.
3. Fill the rest of the cup with ginger beer.
4. Garnish with a lime slice.

13. Hibiscus-Berry Mule

With the freshness of spring comes the urge for something floral and fruity. This variation is a bold red and is guaranteed to put joy and floral cheer in your spring get-togethers.

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cook time: 20 minutes

Yield: 1-2 drinks

Ingredients:

• Vodka- 1.5 oz.
• Ginger beer- 4 oz.
• Hibiscus-Berry syrup- ¾ oz.
• Lime juice- ½ oz.
• Hibiscus flowers – as per need (garnishing)

For Hibiscus-Berry Syrup:

• Mixed berries(fresh or frozen)-  1 cup
• Hot water- 1 cup
• White sugar- ¾ cup
• Dried hibiscus flowers- ½ oz.

Instructions:

For Hibiscus-Berry Syrup:

1. Add Hibiscus dried flowers to hot water in a saucepan and steep for 5-10 minutes until the color is deep red.
2. Remove the petals and add the remaining ingredients to a saucepan. Stir well.
3. Let it simmer by stirring, and use a fork to help crush the berries.
4. Turn to low heat for 10 minutes after the mixture has boiled. Stir regularly until the berries are completely pureed.
5. Cool and strain into a container.

To make the cocktail:

1. Mix vodka, hibiscus-berry syrup, and lime juice in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake.
2. Strain the mixture into a copper mug filled with ice.
3. Pour ginger beer over the mixture until the mug is full.
4. Garnish with Hibiscus flowers.

If you don’t enjoy the floral taste of Hibiscus, try this pomegranate recipe variation instead. It has the same red boldness to it in addition to the sweet tartness of pomegranate instead of Hibiscus.

Pomegranate Moscow Mule

Ingredients:

• Vodka-1.5 oz.
• Ginger beer- 4 oz.
• Pomegranate juice- ½ oz.
• Lime juice- ½ oz.
• Fresh pomegranate seeds- as per need (garnishing)
• Lime wedge- 1 (garnishing)

Instructions:

• Add vodka, pomegranate juice, and lime juice into a copper mug with ice.
• Pour ginger beer over the mixture until the cup is full.
• Garnish with a lime wedge and pomegranate seeds.

14. Holiday Cranberry Mule

There’s something for everyone in these variations of the classic recipe. And the holiday season lovers are certainly not forgotten. The flavors of Ginger beer, cranberry juice, and rosemary in this recipe make up a tasty, holiday-friendly combination that would fit squarely into your Christmas parties.

Yield: 1 drink

Ingredients:

• Vodka- 1.5 oz.
• Cranberry juice- 2 oz.
• Lime wedge- 1
• Ginger beer- as per need
• Ice cubes
• Fresh or frozen cranberries- as needed (garnishing)
• A sprig of Rosemary- 1 (garnishing)

Instructions:

1. Pour the vodka and cranberry juice into a copper mug.
2. Fill the copper mug with ice cubes and squeeze the lime wedge into it.
3. Top it with ginger beer and stir,
4. Garnish with cranberries and rosemary sprig.

Unconventional Twists

Here are three rather unique variations that you could add to your party drink list.

1. Chipotle Moscow Mule

This version is a feisty cousin of the classic Moscow mule. This version brings in Chipotle to the classic mix of ingredients. This variant is for those who like it hot.

Serves: 1 person

Ingredients:

• Vodka- 1.5 oz
• Lime juice- ½ oz.
• Chipotle Cocktail Spice- 3 drops
• Ginger Beer- as per need (Fever-Tree Ginger beer works best)
• Lime wedge – 1 (garnishing)

Instructions:

1. Squeeze half a lime into a copper mug, then fill with ice.
2. Add in vodka & chipotle cocktail spice
3. Top with ginger beer.
4. Garnish with a lime wedge.

2. Icelandic Mule

This unique rendition of the recipe uses apple cider in the place of lime juice. It pairs apples and ginger in an effervescent and bubbly cocktail. All ingredients from the original Moscow Mule remain the same.

3. Moscow Mule Jello shots

This unique variant marries the traditional recipe flavors with a groovy party appetizer that everyone loves to create perfect bites-sized jello shots bursting with flavor.

Preparation time: 3 hours and 4 minutes

Cook time: 1 minute

Yield: 10 jello shots

Ingredients:

• Unflavored gelatin powder- 1 tbsp
• Vodka- 1/2 cup
• Ginger beer- 12 oz.
• Fresh lime juice- 1 1/2 tsp
• Lime wheels-10
• 2 oz. Plastic ramekins with lids- 10

Instructions:

1) Put the gelatin powder and pour 1/4 cup of cold ginger beer over it. Whisk to create a mixture. Let the gelatin soak into the beer for a while.

2)  Take a small saucepan and pour the rest of the beer, simmer over medium heat.

3) Pour the warm beer over the gelatin and whisk it till the gelatin has melted.

4) Add the vodka and lime juice to the mixture and stir.

5) Place plastic ramekins with lids off on a baking sheet and fill each ramekin almost to the brim with the jello mixture.

6) Place into the refrigerator and chill for 2-3 hours until the jello has set.

7) Remove the shots from the fridge when it’s time to serve.

8) Garnish with a lime wheel quarter on top of each shot and serve immediately.

Moscow mule has the rep of being a rather classy drink loved by a lot of people. The original recipe is so simple and yet a fabulous drink perfect for every event. The variations in the recipe bring out the best of this drink. You can create your variations of the mule recipe by experimenting with a variety of ingredients and testing which ones work out for you. The sky is the limit when it comes to the variants that could be created out of a simple recipe.

Last Updated on December 23, 2023 by Namita Soren