Explore The Moscow Mule Cocktail And Its Variations This Summer

Let us begin by saying that the Moscow Mule did not originate in Moscow. In fact, this cocktail was birthed in Manhattan, New York. Yes, we feel cheated too. But it’s not a witty deception; the drink has a few connections to Russia, but we’ll come back to that in a while.

Here’s the main bit. The Moscow Mule cocktail is a citrusy drink with hints of ginger, that comes from its base, the ginger beer. It’s slightly similar to a traditional mojito in terms of flavor and texture, though the ginger beer gives it a kick and makes the drink energetic.

History Of The Moscow Mule Cocktail

The first Moscow Mule was made by experimenting with vodka and ginger beer in different measurements. This first surfaced in Manhattan but quickly found its way towards the American West Coast. It was in Hollywood’s Cock ‘n’ Bull Restaurant, where John G. Martin, president of Heublein, an American alcoholic beverage company, and Rudolph Kunett, president of the Pierre Smirnoff, were present. As they sat together, Martin and Kunett had their minds mulling over the concept of mixing 2 ounces of vodka with Morgan’s ginger beer and adding a little twist to it. Soon after, ice was ordered and the two began experimenting with the three ingredients.

This cocktail’s main connection to Russia comes from the signature copper mugs it is served in. Back in 1941, Sofia Berezinski, a woman from Russia, carried 2000 mugs to America in the hopes of finding a place that would buy them. She stumbled upon the famous Cock ‘n’ Bull pub then. In walked Sofia and the rest was history.

With multiple trials, the recipe for the Moscow Mule solidified and gained popularity among cocktail lovers and alcohol enthusiasts alike. Since then, it’s spawned multiple variations that use a well-crafted copper mug to keep it cold. Let’s explore this fuzzy concoction!

Here’s How You Make The Moscow Mule Cocktail

Ingredients

• 1 ½ oz. vodka
• 4 oz. ginger beer
• ½ oz. lime juice
• Lemon wedge for garnish

How To Make Moscow Mule

1. Add ice to a copper mug. You can use a highball glass if you don’t have one.
2. Combine vodka and ginger beer over the ice.
3. Drop a lemon wedge.
4. Sip, Sip, Sip.

Now It’s Time To Try These Moscow Mule Cocktail Variations

The Moscow Mule had since then become such a hit that people around the globe started giving their own twist to the original and creating a multitude of noteworthy recipes. Here are some of our favorites.

1. Kentucky Mule
2. Watermelon Mule
3. Dark N Stormy
4. Mexican Mule
5. Mezcal Mule
6. Irish Mule
7. Bohemian Mule
8. Apple Cider Moscow Mule

1. Kentucky Mule

Kentucky bourbons just have a way of making a cocktail special. Bourbon is hinted to have notes of vanilla, oak, and caramel which pairs perfectly well with the ginger beer. It’s so good that it’ll make you forget the original recipe for Moscow Mule. Jim Beam Black Bourbon and Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey are our preferred choices for this one.

Ingredients

• 2 oz. bourbon
• ½ oz. lime juice
• Ginger beer to top
• Mint sprig to garnish

How To Make Kentucky Mule

1. Add bourbon and lime juice to a highball glass.
2. Add ice and then top it up with ginger beer.
3. Garnish with a mint sprig.

2. Watermelon Mule

Watermelon juice and summer just go hand in hand. The water content keeps you hydrated while the sugars keep you energetic. Add some vodka and ginger beer, and you have the most optimal summer drink for any kind of outing.

Ingredients

• 4 oz. ginger beer
• ⅔ cup of watermelon chunks (seedless)
• 1 ½ oz. citrus vodka
• 1 lemon wedge
• Watermelon and lemon wedges for garnish

How To Make Watermelon Mule

1. Place the watermelon chunks in a blender and blend until you have a smooth puree.
2. Add the puree, vodka, ginger beer, and ice in a highball glass (copper mug is preferred since it forms the Moscow Mule identity).
3. Squeeze the juice from the lemon wedge.
4. Garnish with a watermelon slice and lemon wedges.

3. Dark ‘N’ Stormy

The Dark ‘N’ Stormy is a gradient cocktail that combines the bittersweet taste of dark rum and the subtle citrus notes of lime and ginger beer. And though this cocktail isn’t something you see in the summer, it’s definitely something of a companion in the heated days.

Ingredients

• 2 oz. dark rum
• ½ oz. lime juice
• 5 oz. ginger beer
• Lemon wheel for garnish

How To Make Dark ‘N’ Stormy

1. Add lime juice, rum, and ice in a highball glass.
2. Top the glass with ginger beer.
3. Use a lemon wheel to garnish and serve.

4. Mexican Mule

Not a fan of vodka and need a good alternative? Tequila is a light substitute in this cocktail variation. The Mexican Mule is a crisp and refreshing drink that can make you super energetic.

Ingredients

• 2 oz. tequila
• ½ oz. lime juice
• 4 oz. ginger beer
• Lime wedge for garnish

How To Make Mexican Mule

1. In a copper mug, add lime juice, tequila, and ice.
2. Top up with ginger beer.
3. Garnish with a lime wedge and serve fresh.

5. Mezcal Mule

This is the easy version of a much-complicated concoction. Summers can get you to feel lazy about attempting anything with too many ingredients. The Mezcal Mule makes use of tequila, lime juice, mezcal, and ginger beer. Garnish with some cucumber slices to make the most refreshing and relaxing drink. Here’s a tip — make this by the pitcher and serve it during a picnic in the park. 

Ingredients

• 1 ½  oz. tequila
• ½ lime juice
• ½ oz. mezcal
• 4 oz. ginger beer
• Lime wheel, cucumber slices, and mint sprig for garnish

How To Make Mezcal Mule

1. Add tequila, lime juice, mezcal, and ice in a highball glass.
2. Pour ginger beer over ice.
3. Garnish with a lime wheel and mint sprig.
4. Enjoy.

6. Irish Mule

As you may have guessed, this one uses Irish whiskey instead of vodka. The rest of the ingredients remain the same. It’s a classic twist to a classic cocktail. We’d recommend some vanilla-tasting whiskeys since they complement the ginger and lime perfectly.

Ingredients

• 2 oz. Irish whiskey
• ½ oz. lime juice
• 6 oz. ginger beer
• Lime wheel and mint sprigs for garnish

How To Make Irish Mule

1. Add an abundance of ice in a copper mug.
2. Add the whiskey and lime juice.
3. Top up with ginger beer
4. Make the drink look baller with a lime wheel and mint sprigs.

7. Bohemian Mule

As the name suggests, the Bohemian Mule uses a distinct flavored alcohol to make this variation. Absinthe’s anise and fennel flavors provide the cocktail with some earthy sweetness. And on the plus side, the Bohemian Mule is here to give you a little push in the world of artistic freedom and cultural expression. Why not increase the absinthe, and see where that takes you?

Ingredients

• 1 oz. absinthe
• ½ oz. lime juice
• 5 oz. ginger beer
• ¼ oz. simple syrup
• Lime wedges for garnish 

How To Make Bohemian Mule

1. Add absinthe, lime juice, simple syrup, and ice in a highball glass.
2. Top up with some ginger beer.
3. Add some lime wedges. A single wedge makes it look spooky.

8. Apple Cider Moscow Mule

We know that this list is primarily for summer drinks but the Apple Cider Moscow Mule is a drink that will elevate your mood in just a sip. Add a bit of apple cider to your Moscow Mule recipe and you’ll forget that apple cider is generally associated with something else!

Ingredients

• 2 oz. vodka
• 2 oz. apple cider
• ½ oz. lime juice
• 3 oz. ginger beer
• Lime wheel, cinnamon stick, thyme sprig, and apple slice for garnish (this one likes to look pretty).

How To Make Apple Cider Moscow Mule

1. Add apple cider, vodka, lime juice, and ice in a highball glass.
2. Pour the ginger beer over the mixture.
3. Put some effort into the garnish.
4. Click some insta-worthy photos before enjoying.

Some Bonus Variations of Moscow Mule

1. Pineapple Moscow Mule

For a refreshing tropical drink, add 2 oz. of pineapple juice to the original recipe. Garnish with a pineapple wedge.

2. Minted Moscow Mule

Simply use muddled mint in the recipe. Don’t forget to garnish with some mint sprigs.

3. Gin Gin Mule

Swap the vodka with your favorite dry gin. The citrus flavor is so refreshing!

4. Mumbai Mule

Think of all the Indian spices and put them in the drink. Just kidding. This one uses ginger-turmeric-honey syrup, coconut milk, and coriander.

Summing Up

And there you have it! The most refreshing cocktails to make your heated summers bearable. Don’t forget the bonus ones, they are the highlight of “Your Guide To Surviving The Summers.” Sip Away! 

FAQs

Why Do They Call It A Moscow Mule?

It’s a common misconception that this drink originated from Russia. The Moscow Mule actually originated in America, but its signature copper mug comes from Russia. And it’s said that the ginger beer provides a kick “like a mule.” Quite a fitting name if you think about it.

Is A Moscow Mule A Strong Drink?

The Moscow Mule is a fuzzy and punchy drink made with 2 ounces of vodka, which makes it a strong drink. Most of its variations also use about 2 ounces of liquor.

What Is The Best Alcohol For Moscow Mules?

The original recipe calls for vodka to be the best alcohol for Moscow Mules. We also found tequila to be a great option due to its refreshing and light feel.

Is Ginger Beer Alcoholic?

Most commonly sold ginger beer is non-alcoholic. However various brands also sell ginger beer that is alcoholic in nature, containing about 5% alcohol by volume. Please don’t give it to your children.

How Does A Moscow Mule Taste?

The Moscow Mule is a citrusy drink with hints of ginger. It’s slightly similar to a traditional mojito in terms of flavor and texture. The ginger beer gives it a kick and makes the drink energetic.

How Is A Moscow Mule Served?

The traditional way to serve a Moscow Mule is in a copper mug. This specific mug was chosen to keep the drink cold for a long period of time, something a glass wouldn’t be able to achieve. Plus the coppery feel is a perfect companion to the cocktail’s fuzzy nature.