The 5 Best Moscow Mule Recipes to Make at Home

Cocktail drinkers can spot a Moscow Mule from a mile away due to its iconic copper mug container. But beyond its distinct look, people appreciate the drink’s strong, sweet and spicy taste complemented by its gentle bubbles.

The ingredients for the original Moscow Mule are quite simple, but they work so well together that the beer is now a classic cocktail found in many establishments. With so much potential, this cocktail can evolve into something more inventive when using fruits, vegetables and other liquors.

Without further ado, let’s get into five ways to enjoy the Moscow Mule cocktail!

Kentucky Mule

The name “Moscow Mule” obviously has some Russian connotation, but it was actually made in America. Of course, if you want to make a more American version of it, swap the vodka with America’s native spirit – bourbon!

The bourbon lends an enjoyable caramel sweetness enhanced with vanilla that makes this beverage smoother and richer than its standard Moscow counterpart. The spiciness will go well with the tanginess of the lime and the spicy and fizzy ginger beer mixer.

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Ingredients

• 2 oz. Kentucky bourbon
• ½ oz. Lime juice (or half a lime)
• 4-5 oz. Ginger beer
• Ice cubes
• Lime wedge

Directions

1. Pour the bourbon and the lime juice into a copper mug.
2. Fill the mug with ice cubes up to the top.
3. Top with ginger beer and stir gently with a bar spoon.
4. Add the lime wedge for garnish.

Recipe Note

Swap the bourbon with different liquors to make other variations:

• Gin – Gin-Gin Mule
• Tequila – Mexican Mule
• Rum – Dark N’ Stormy

Cranberry Vanilla Mule (Yule Mule)

The holidays may be known for sweet and creamy drinks like hot chocolate and eggnog, but if you want something bright, tart and fizzy, make yourself a holiday-themed Moscow Mule!

Cranberries are abundant during the holiday season and are the perfect festive touch for a standard mule. The cranberry juice may be tart, but it doesn’t clash with the lime juice’s sourness since the former has a hint of sweetness. The vanilla also complements the spice and fizz of the featured ginger beer.

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Ingredients

• 1.5 oz. Vanilla vodka
• ½ oz. Lime juice
• 2 oz. Cranberry juice cocktail
• 3 oz. Ginger beer
• Ice cubes
• Sprig of rosemary
• 4-5 cranberries
• Lime wedge

Directions

1. Combine the vodka, lime juice and cranberry juice cocktail in a copper mug.
2. Add in the ice cubes and stir.
3. Pour in the ginger beer.
4. Garnish with cranberries, lime wedge and rosemary.

Recipe Note

If you don’t have vanilla vodka, just add ½ oz. of vanilla syrup to your regular vodka.

Cucumber Moscow Mule

Cucumbers are made of 96% water, making them the most refreshing vegetable. This also means that they make amazing ingredients for cocktails, and the Moscow Mule is no exception.

Since cucumbers have a mild flavor, they will make a Mule lighter on the palate and highlight its crisp quality. To add more vegetal and savory aspects to the cucumber and lime, celery bitters will do the trick perfectly. The next time you want to beat the heat, this is the drink to make!

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz. Vodka
• ½ oz. Lime juice
• 3-4 peeled cucumber slices (≈ ⅓-inch thick)
• 4-6 oz. Ginger beer
• 4-5 dashes of celery bitters
• Ice cubes
• Sprig of mint
• Lime wedge
• A thin slice of cucumber

Directions

1. Place the cucumber slices and lime juice in a copper mug and muddle them.
2. Add in the vodka and ice cubes.
3. Top with ginger beer and bitters and stir.
4. Garnish with the cucumber, lime wedge and mint.

Recipe Note

If you don’t want chunks in your drink, you can strain the mixture, use cucumber vodka instead of regular vodka or simply add cucumber juice.

Jalapeno Moscow Mule

Not everyone can handle spicy drinks, but if you enjoy the adrenaline rush of seeking out heat, put some jalapenos in your Moscow Mule! Muddling jalapeno peppers in your Mule beverage adds a natural and fresh spicy flavor with a bit of sourness that melds well with the lime.

Furthermore, adding basil leaves enhances the spicy flavor with its savory, minty taste and slightly sweet notes. This drink leans more on the zesty and spicy side and is perfect for people who don’t like overly sweet drinks.

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Ingredients

• 2 oz. Vodka
• ½ oz. Lime juice
• 2 Jalapeno slices (≈ ¼-inch thick)
• 2 Basil leaves
• 6 oz. Ginger beer
• Ice cubes
• Thin slices of Jalapeno peppers

Directions

1. Put the jalapeno slices and the basil leaves into a copper mug.
2. Pour in the lime juice and muddle.
3. Add the ice cubes, vodka and ginger beer, then stir.
4. Garnish with jalapeno peppers.

Recipe Note

Add a splash of fruit juice like pineapple, mango or peach if you want to add more depth and flavor to the drink.

Apple Cider Moscow Mule

Autumn is among the best times to feel at peace while having a warm drink full of baking spices. But if you like colder drinks, you can feel the same sensation with an apple cider Moscow Mule!

Apple cider offers an array of flavors that take your Mule up a notch, including sweetness, tanginess and earthiness. If that’s not enough, the cinnamon definitely completes the seasonal appeal.

Order your Moscow Mule mixing sets today
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Ingredients

• 1.5 oz. Vodka
• 2 oz. Apple cider
• ½ oz. Lime juice
• 3 oz. Ginger beer
• Ice cubes
• 1 Large apple slice
• Cinnamon powder
• 1 Cinnamon stick
• Sprig of rosemary

Directions

1. Combine the vodka, lime juice and apple cider in a copper mug.
2. Add a handful of ice cubes. Then top with ginger beer and stir.
3. Garnish with a cinnamon stick, rosemary and an apple slice.
4. Sprinkle a bit of cinnamon on top of the drink.

Recipe Note

Switch to caramel vodka if you want a sweeter drink.

Conclusion

The Moscow Mule is truly one of the best cocktails to experiment with. And even if the recipes above use additional or different ingredients, they are still very easy to make.

Even better, there is vast customization for Mules. Simply take one of the above recommendations and experiment with them by adding strawberries, peaches, watermelon, mint, kombucha and more!