Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

The Moscow Mule is the cocktail that got its own glassware. There aren’t many drinks where the serving vessel is part of the recipe, but the copper mug actually matters here, the vodka stays absolutely cold, the rim stays icy, and the whole thing hits your hand like a drink that’s been waiting in a snowbank.

It’s also one of the easiest cocktails to make at home. Three ingredients (four if you count the lime wedge as an ingredient, which I don’t). Pour, top, stir, drink. The whole thing takes about ninety seconds.

Ginger beer is the make-or-break

The cocktail lives or dies on the ginger beer. Ginger ale is too sweet and not spicy enough; you’ll end up with sweet vodka water. Real ginger beer (the kind that makes your eyes water if you drink it neat) is what gives this drink the snap. Bundaberg in Australia is the easy one. Fever-Tree, Q Mixers, or any small-batch craft brand do the job too. If you have to ask whether it’s spicy enough, it isn’t.

Scotty Boxa

Moscow Mule Recipe (Real Ginger Beer, Copper Mug)

No ratings yet
Vodka, ginger beer, fresh lime, copper mug. Simple, sharp, refreshing. The cocktail that earned its own glassware.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 3 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
 

  • 2 oz Vodka
  • 1/2 oz Fresh lime juice about half a lime
  • 4 oz Real ginger beer the proper spicy stuff, not ginger ale
  • 1 Lime wedge to garnish
  • 1 sprig Fresh mint optional but pretty

Instructions
 

Method
  1. Fill a copper mug (or a tall glass) with crushed ice or lots of ice cubes.
  2. Pour over the vodka and the fresh lime juice.
  3. Top with cold ginger beer.
  4. Stir briefly to combine. Don't over-stir, you want the bubbles intact.
  5. Garnish with a lime wedge and a mint sprig. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 165kcal

Notes

Ginger beer matters. Use proper spicy ginger beer (Bundaberg if you're in Australia, Fever-Tree, Q Mixers). Ginger ale is too sweet and not spicy enough.
Copper mug optional. The mug keeps it dramatically cold and looks great. If you don't have one, a tall highball glass works fine. The cocktail tastes the same.
Spicy upgrade. Add 2-3 thin slices of fresh ginger to the mug, muddled gently. Pushes the ginger heat way up.
Servings: 1 cocktail
Calories: 165

Loved This Recipe?

You'll love my Recipe Books!

Variations to try

Mexican Mule. Swap the vodka for tequila. Adds an earthy depth. Don’t tell anyone it’s not authentic.

Irish Mule. Swap the vodka for Irish whiskey. Surprisingly good.

Spicy Mule. Add a few thin slices of fresh jalapeño when you muddle the lime. Heat plus heat.

Apple Mule. 1 oz apple juice + 1 oz vodka + same amount of ginger beer. Autumn version.

I’m Scotty Boxa. Australian author, professional bad decision maker, and the bloke responsible for the rest of this website.

The Moscow Mule is one of the 100+ cocktails in Cheers Mate. The book has the classics, the cheeky-named ones, the modern revivals, and a whole section on building a home bar without bankrupting yourself.