The Best Moscow Mule Recipe

This Moscow Mule recipe comes straight from Moscow by way of Minnesota. It was developed by Josh, a close friend of mine and long-time bartender. We’ve both been making cocktails for years, and I was excited to try his take on this refreshing cocktail.

Josh used his numerous years of Midwestern bartending experience to update this classic cocktail. It’s a little bit sweet thanks to powdered sugar, while orange bitters add an extra layer of flavor. The real treat is in the garnish: crystallized ginger. This unexpected candy pairs perfectly with a wedge of lime for a sweet and sour finish.

Copper mugs are a fun, flashy way to serve a Moscow Mule. But if you don’t have them, Josh says this particular cocktail has beautiful layers that are best appreciated in a clear glass.

What makes this Recipe For a Moscow Mule Unique

This Moscow Mule recipe is made with surprising ingredients like powdered sugar, orange bitters, and crystallized ginger. The cocktail has a sweeter, more complex flavor profile than the standard 4-ingredient version.

Moscow Mules Recipe Ingredients

At a Glance: Here is a quick snapshot of what ingredients are in this recipe.
Please see the recipe card below for specific quantities.

• Ginger beer: Reed’s Extra Ginger Beer is the gold standard. It can be found at well stocked specialty stores, Trader Joe’s, or online. However, if you have your own favorite ginger beer, feel free to use that.
• Angostura Orange Bitters: Crucial ingredient! Look for the orange bitters, not the standard aromatic bitters.
• Powdered sugar: Powdered sugar dissolves easily in the drink and makes things just a touch sweeter. Leave it out if you prefer, but it does make a difference.
• Crystalized ginger: Candied ginger, especially the kind sold by the bag at Trader Joe’s, makes a spicy-sweet garnish you’ll love. Use a lime wedge or fresh mint sprig if you don’t have it (or even if you do!).

Best Vodka For Moscow Mule

The best vodka for a Moscow Mule is the one you have on hand. The flavors of fresh lime and ginger beer will override even the most expensive vodkas, so you don’t need to splurge for a top-shelf liquor. That being said, I usually keep Tito’s on hand because I like the flavor and the history of the company.

How to Make this Recipe for Moscow Mule

1. Find a large cocktail shaker and fill it halfway with ice. Pour in the vodka, ginger beer, soda, lime juice, and the orange bitters into the shaker.

2. Then, ever so gently, stir in the powdered sugar. Stir, don’t shake, so that you don’t burst those bubbles. Strain the drink into the ice-filled copper mugs, and garnish with a slice of candied ginger and a wedge of lime. Cheers!

Moscow Mule Drink Recipe variations

• Irish mule: Substitute Jameson Irish whiskey for the vodka.
• Mexican Mule: Substitute tequila for the vodka.
• Kentucky Mule: Use your favorite Kentucky bourbon instead of vodka. Woodford Reserve is the preferred brand for the Kentucky Derby.
• Gin Buck or Gin Gin Mule: This mule is made with gin instead of vodka.
• Dark ’n Stormy: Substitute dark rum for the vodka.
• Virgin mule: Skip the vodka and make this drink as-is for the non-imbiber in your life; they’ll love it.

Best Moscow Mule Recipe Tips For Success

• Why the copper mug: Enjoying chilled drinks in copper cups offer a super-cool sensation because the metal takes on the cold temperature of the drink quicker than glass. That frozen sensation feels good on your lips! Also, icy cold copper can increase the amount of bubbles in the carbonated ginger beer, making things extra fizzy. Here are the copper mugs shown in the photos.
• Shopping for copper barware: Don’t worry about a Moscow Mule mug poisoning you. Most copper cups on the market are lined with steel or nickel, so the acidity of the drink won’t interact with the metal and leach into your lovely cocktail. Some vintage mugs are even made out of anodized aluminum. When shopping, look for sturdy mugs that are lined and food safe. There are lots of good options out there, even gorgeous hammered copper ones.
• Virgin mule: Skip the vodka and make this drink as-is for the non-imbiber in your life; they’ll love it.
• Make ahead: This cocktail should be “built” in the glass, exactly when you need it. Otherwise, the fizz will fade and the drink will lose its magic. But you can squeeze the limes and have everything chilled and ready to go beforehand and things will go smoothly.
• No mug: If you don’t have a copper mug, just serve the drink in a glass; it will still be amazing. This particular recipe looks better in a glass because you can admire the layers of the drink.

Moscow Mules Recipe Serving Suggestions

I love to serve Moscow Mules with salty, crunchy snacks like kettle chips, Chex mix, and cocktail peanuts. Pretzels and dip, nachos, or a cheese board are great, too. On your cheese board, try cheddar, goat cheese, and Parmesan.

Moscow Mule Garnish Ideas

A wedge of lime is the classic garnish, but I love the look of fresh mint. Our version includes candied ginger. Fresh blueberries are great, too. For a holiday twist, try fresh cranberries and a sprig of rosemary.

What to pair with this Moscow Mule Drink Recipe

Moscow Mules pair well with citrusy seafood like fish, shrimp, or crab. They also compliment Asian dishes really well including Thai noodles, Indian curries, or Asian salads.

More cocktails to try:

• Brandy Old Fashioned
• Sidecar Cocktail
• Amaretto Sour
• Dirty Shirley

Moscow Mule Drink Recipe

By Meggan Hill

Discover the secret ingredients to the Best Moscow Mule you’ve ever tasted! Developed by a bartender friend in Minnesota, this mule is miles ahead the rest of the pack and perfect for your next happy hour.

Prep Time 1 minute min

Total Time 1 minute min

Servings 2 servings

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Calories 197

5 from 16 votes

ReviewPrint

Ingredients 

US CustomaryMetric

• ▢ 8 ounces ginger beer preferably Reed's Extra (see note 1)
• ▢ 4½ ounces vodka
• ▢ 1½ ounces club soda
• ▢ 1 ounce lime juice
• ▢ ¼ tsp Angostura Orange Bitters (see note 2)
• ▢ 1 tsp powdered sugar (see note 3)
• ▢ Crystallized ginger lime slices, or fresh mint, for garnish (see note 4)

Instructions 

• Fill a large cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Pour ginger beer, vodka, club soda, lime juice, and orange bitters into the shaker.
• Gently stir in powdered sugar, being careful not to disrupt the carbonation (do not shake). Strain into two copper mugs or lowball glasses filled with ice.
• Garnish with a skewer of crystallized ginger, lime slices, or fresh mint as desired.

Recipe Video

Notes

1. Ginger beer: Reed’s Extra Ginger Beer is the gold standard. It can be found at well stocked specialty stores, Trader Joe’s, or online. However, if you have your own favorite ginger beer, feel free to use that.
2. Angostura Orange Bitters: Crucial ingredient! Look for the orange bitters, not the standard aromatic bitters.
3. Powdered sugar: Powdered sugar dissolves easily in the drink and makes things just a touch sweeter. Leave it out if you prefer, but it does make a difference.
4. Crystalized ginger: Candied ginger, especially the kind sold by the bag at Trader Joe’s, makes a spicy-sweet garnish you’ll love. Use a lime wedge or fresh mint sprig if you don’t have it (or even if you do!).
5. Why the copper mug: Enjoying chilled drinks in copper cups offer a super-cool sensation because the metal takes on the cold temperature of the drink quicker than glass. That frozen sensation feels good on your lips! Also, icy cold copper can increase the amount of bubbles in the carbonated ginger beer, making things extra fizzy. Here are the copper mugs shown in the photos (Culinary Hill may earn money if you buy through this link).
6. Shopping for copper barware: Don’t worry about a Moscow Mule mug poisoning you. Most copper cups on the market are lined with steel or nickel, so the acidity of the drink won’t interact with the metal and leach into your lovely cocktail. Some vintage mugs are even made out of anodized aluminum. When shopping, look for sturdy mugs that are lined and food safe. There are lots of good options out there, even gorgeous hammered copper ones.
7. Virgin mule: Skip the vodka and make this drink as-is for the non-imbiber in your life; they’ll love it.
8. Make ahead: This cocktail should be “built” in the glass, exactly when you need it. Otherwise, the fizz will fade and the drink will lose its magic. But you can squeeze the limes and have everything chilled and ready to go beforehand and things will go smoothly.
9. No mug: If you don’t have a copper mug, just serve the drink in a glass; it will still be amazing. This particular recipe looks better in a glass because you can admire the layers of the drink.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cocktailCalories: 197kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSodium: 13mgSugar: 11gVitamin C: 4mgIron: 1mg

Did you make this recipe?Tag @culinaryhill on Instagram so we can admire your masterpiece! #culinaryhill