The Best Moscow Mule

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.

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Prep Time 1

Total Time 1

Servings servings

Calories 197kcal

Author Meggan Hill

Ingredients

8 ounces ginger beer preferably Reed's Extra (see note 1)
4½ ounces vodka
1½ ounces club soda
1 ounce fresh 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)

US Customary - Metric

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.

Video

Notes

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!).
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).
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.

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