Moscow Mule: the ultra-refreshing vodka-based cocktail to sip year-round

Looking for a cool, refreshing cocktail to help you beat the heat this summer? Why not mix up a couple of Moscow Mules? The Moscow Mule is a classic vodka-based cocktail which features on the International Bartenders Association's (IBA) official cocktail list.

Also known as a vodka buck, the Moscow Mule has a citrusy, spicy ginger flavor, which makes it great as an aperitif or a tasty drink to sip with boldly flavored dishes. Made with vodka, ginger beer (not ginger ale!), and lime juice served over ice in copper mugs, the Moscow Mule has a lovely fizziness to tickle your taste buds. Keep in mind that you shouldn't mix its components in a cocktail shaker, but mix them directly in the mug to preserve carbonation.

Despite its name, Russia had nothing to do with the creation of this cocktail. In fact, it seems that the name "Moscow Mule" was chosen because Americans tended to associate vodka with Russia, while the word mule was added as ginger beer gave the flavor a hit.

It clocks in around 11 percent alcohol, so it's not too strong. It's great for summer barbecues, holiday parties in the winter, or really any occasion! The flavors make it a phenomenal cocktail any time of year!

Why Do You Serve Moscow Mules in Copper Mugs?

Many people will tell you the reason why mules are served in copper mugs is to keep them ice-cold. The copper mugs are great at keeping your mules perfectly cool while you sip them – copper is an excellent conductor of hot and cold.

Anyway, the real reason why Moscow Mules are served in copper mugs is due to a marketing tactic back in the 1940s in New York. John Martin whose company owned Smirnoff vodka and his friend, Jack Morgan, of Cock ‘n' Bull Restaurant who had recently launched a line of ginger beer, mixed their two products with a squeeze of citrus juice to create the Moscow Mule. A woman who inherited a copper company (some stories say it was Morgan's girlfriend, others claim it was a Russian immigrant) sold the mugs to the men. They found the copper mugs were ideal for their new cocktail. As he traveled around the US selling Smirnoff, Martin would get bartenders to pose with a Moscow Mule served in a copper mug, which helped make the serving vessel popular across the States.

Some folks believe the copper makes the ginger beer even tastier, but we'll leave it to you to decide! If you don't have copper mugs, use a highball glass.

Tips for the Best Moscow Mule

Use a good, fiery ginger beer to make your Moscow Mule. It's the single most important ingredient in terms of making a delicious Moscow Mule.

Don't use ginger ale – its flavor is too mild.

You don't need to use top-shelf vodka here. The flavor of the ginger beer will mask the nuances, so most decent quality vodkas will do here.

Use fresh limes. The flavor is a million times better than anything you'll get out of a bottle, especially when there are so few ingredients involved in the drink.

Moscow Mule Variations

Love the Moscow Mule but want to riff off the original? Try one of these fantastic Moscow Mule variations.

Try flavored vodka or fruit syrups to give your Moscow Mule a summery, seasonal spin. Passion fruit, berries, mango, pomegranate, and melon are delicious options to try this summer.

Come autumn, hard apple cider or Calvados go beautifully with the warm, spicy flavor of the ginger beer.

Using tequila turns the drink into a Mexican Mule, while an Irish whisky base gives you an Irish Mule.

Swap out the vodka for bourbon to make a Kentucky Mule.

Dark or spiced rum mixed with ginger beer and lime juice makes a refreshing, delicious Dark and Stormy. There are plenty of other variations out there to try!

How to Make a Moscow Mule

Add vodka, freshly squeezed lime juice, and ginger beer into a copper mug.

Pour ice into a copper mug.

Garnish with lime and mint, and serve.

Notes

The mint garnish is optional. It can be left off the drink or swapped out for basil.