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The Best Moscow Mule Recipe features spicy ginger beer, fresh lime juice, vodka, and a ginger lime simple syrup! On a hot Summer day, this refreshing cocktail really hits the spot! For an extra pretty presentation, serve in a copper mug with a sprig of mint and a lime wedge or spiral!
Moscow Mule
I’ve always liked Moscow Mules… but I always felt like they were missing something. For years I’ve sipped and sipped and wondered how could I make an already great cocktail even better? And then it hit me; I realized what was missing! Or at least, what I was missing. I wanted more of a punch. I wanted more lime… more ginger… and more flavor!
And so I got to recipe testing, and after a few tries came up with the best ginger lime syrup I’ve ever tasted! It’s the secret ingredient in a lot of my cocktail recipes, but it’s the most delicious in a classic Moscow Mule! I swear, every time I make these for a party people stop after one sip and – eyes wide open – proclaim it’s the best mule they’ve ever had!
So today I’m sharing my little secret with you, as well as a few tips and tricks for making and decorating the prettiest mules ever!
Moscow Mule Ingredients
A classic Moscow Mule is made with ginger beer, vodka, and lime juice. For this recipe, you’ll also need fresh ginger root, limes, sugar, water, and mint. All pretty basic ingredients that you should be able to easily find at any grocery store! I like Tito’s vodka, but Grey Goose, Kettle One, Smirnoff Vodka, or whatever you enjoy will work just fine! No vodka? Add bourbon or whiskey instead and you’ll have yourself a Kentucky mule!
Ginger ale is not the same thing as ginger beer, and it will not yield the same flavor if you use it. That said, if it’s all you can find, it’ll still be a delicious, albeit much sweeter and syrupy, drink.
You’ll also need plenty of ice cubes or crushed ice!
How to make a Moscow Mule
The first thing you’ll want to do is make the ginger lime syrup! That’s because it needs to cool down before it can be used in the cocktail. The good news? You can make the simple syrup up to 2 weeks ahead of time, and store it in the fridge! Use it as you need!
Unlike most cocktail recipes that start with adding ingredients into a stainless steel cocktail shaker, this recipe is made direct in the glass! Or copper cups, if you have them!
Simply fill squeeze the lime into the cups, fill with ice, then add the ginger syrup, vodka, and top with ginger beer. Stir, garnish with a mint spring and lime wedge, and serve and/or sip!
Best Ginger Beer for a Moscow Mule
There are so many good ginger beers on the market these days! But our favorites are:
My Favorite Moscow Mule Mugs
You definitely don’t need pretty copper mugs to make this recipe. But in case you’re in the market, here are links to retailers that have some pretty nice ones!
- This Moscow Mule gift set is STUNNING! It includes coasters, stirrings, a measuring cup, and the mugs! This would make a beautiful birthday or holiday gift for the mule lover in your life!
- These mule mugs are super stylish and very similar to the cups I used in this post!
- Don’t need a whole set? Here’s a copper mug for one! Super cute and there are several color and style options!
More Cocktail Recipes:
- How to Make a Salty Dog
- The Best 5 Minute Margarita Recipe
- Cranberry Apple Moscow Mule
- Easy Pomegranate Margaritas
- Homemade Chocolate Martini Recipe
- Aperol Spritz
The Best Moscow Mule Recipe
Ingredients
For the Ginger Lime Simple Syrup:
- 3/4 cup (149 grams) granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup (170 grams) water
- (2) 3"-long strips of lime peel
- 4 ounces fresh ginger, peeled
- 1/4 cup (74 grams) freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 sprig of mint
For the Moscow Mule:
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ice
- 2.5 ounces vodka
- 1 Tablespoon ginger syrup (more to taste)
- 5 ounces ginger beer
- limes wedges or spirals, for garnish
- fresh mint sprig, for garnish
Instructions
For the Ginger Lime Simple Syrup:
- In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, water, lime peel, and ginger. Bring to a rolling simmer over medium-high heat until the sugar is completely dissolved. Then reduce to medium-low and continue simmering, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes.
- Remove from heat, add in the sprig of mint and lime juice, and set aside to cool for at least 1 hour.
- Once cool, strain through a fine-mesh stainer, and pour into an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks!
How to Make a Moscow Mule:
- In a large glass or copper mule mug, add lime juice. Fill the glass with ice.
- Top with vodka, ginger syrup, and ginger beer. Gently stir, then top with a lime wedge or spiral and a sprig of mint. Serve at once!
Do you slice or do anything else to the ginger besides peel?
Nope, I just toss it in! But you can definitely chop it into a few knobs if you want!
just made the ginger sugar syrup and its so so good. cant wait till it cools and to try the full recipe later tonight.
Hi, this is 4 ounces by weight of ginger? Just want to double check since the other weights are in grams
Excellent. Open notch. Much better then at the bar.
Love this recipe. Thank you!
So happy to hear that! Cheers!