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How to Make a Moscow Mule – This classic cocktail recipe is easy to make with a perfect simple combination of vodka, ginger beer, and lime. Serve in a copper mug, of course, for the Best Moscow Mule with a refreshing kick!
Why We Love This Moscow Mule Recipe
This classic cocktail is a favorite in the United States and across the world. And it’s easy to see why… The Moscow Mule combines just three simple ingredients to make a bold and refreshing drink everyone loves!
Sommer’s Recipe Notes
The key to making the BEST Moscow Mule recipe is to make sure to use the perfect balance of a good quality ginger beer and good vodka, along with a splash of fresh-squeezed lime juice. That, and you definitely want to serve them in handled copper mugs for the crisp ginger bite that makes Moscow mules so iconic.
Here we’re showing you the proportions to make one drink. Simply increase the ingredients to make the number of cocktails you need for your next casual party or relaxing summer day with friends!
Ingredients You Need
Ginger beer – use a quality nonalcoholic beer made with real fresh ginger, like Fever-Tree
Vodka – your preferred brand
Lime – fresh-squeezed juice and lime slices to garnish
Ice – crushed or cubed
How to Make Moscow Mules
Find the full Moscow Mule Cocktail recipe with ingredient proportions, detailed instructions, and a video tutorial in the printable form at the bottom of the post.
Pro Tip – To make a super potent mule, buy the spiciest ginger beer you can find. It’s best to balance the sharp lime juice.
Recipe Variations
Vodka – Feel free to use flavored vodka, if you like! Flavors like lime, citron, or grapefruit for an extra fruity kick.
Juice – Skip the fresh lime and instead add a splash of fresh orange, grapefruit, or pineapple juice to taste.
Other Alcohol – Swap vodka with bourbon whiskey to make a Kentucky Mule, or tequila for a Mexican Mule. Or use dark rum to make a Dark and Stormy Donkey cocktail or gin for an aptly-named Gin-Gin Mule. (Gin + Ginger beer, get it? :))
Soda – If ginger beer has too much bite, you can substitute it with sweeter ginger ale.
Garnishes – Our classic Moscow Mule recipe includes a slice of lime to garnish. But you can add a slice of any citrus or even a wedge of pineapple. Also, consider adding a fresh sprig of mint as a final touch!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does a Moscow Mule have to be in a copper mug?
Serving a Moscow mule in a copper mug makes the spiciness of the ginger beer really pop, without changing the taste. The metal also keeps the drink ice-cold, while the handle of the mug makes sure the heat from your hands doesn’t warm the cocktail.
Of course, you can certainly make and serve the drink in a regular ‘ol glass. With plenty of ice it will still be a delightfully refreshing drink!
Do you chill the mugs first?
The beauty of copper mugs is that they don’t need to be chilled first to keep drinks cold. That being said, feel free to pop your mugs – copper or otherwise – into the freezer for an hour or so before serving to get them super frosty.
Do you drink a Moscow Mule with ginger beer or ginger ale?
Traditionally, Moscow Mules are made with ginger beer. Ginger beer is a sparkling ginger soda with a much more intense ginger bite than ginger ale. However, if you are sensitive to ginger’s spiciness, you can use gingerale instead.
What’s the best vodka for Moscow Mules?
It’s best to pick a vodka with a smooth clean neutral flavor. We like Tito’s Handmade Vodka (from the USA), Belvedere (from Poland), Ketel One (from the Netherlands), and Grey Goose (from France).
Can you make a large batch of Moscow Mules?
I suggest making each cocktail one-by-one, rather than mixing up a pitcher of drinks. That way you are sure to get the perfect proportion of vodka and ginger beer in each glass! This also keeps the ginger beer fresh and sparkling for each drink.
What is the difference between a Kentucky Mule and a Moscow Mule?
As seen in our recipe, a Mocow Mule is made with vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice. However, a Kentucky Mule is made by substituting the vodka for Bourbon whiskey. This made a slightly sweeter beverage with a deep caramel undertones.
Personally, when I make (or order) a Kentucky Mule, I prefer it to be made with lemon juice in place of the lime juice. IMO, the bourbon, ginger, lemon combo is a huge winner!
This classic cocktail is easy to make with a simple combination of vodka, ginger beer, and lime. Serve in a copper mug for the best Moscow Mule with a refreshing kick!
I’m Sommer Collier – Cooking Instructor and Professional Recipe Developer. I’m here to Boost your Confidence in the Kitchen with Approachable, Easy, Fool-Proof Recipes for Everyday Cooking!
Hands down the best Moscow Mule I’ve ever had! The recipe is simple, yet the flavors are bold and delicious, and I love that it only takes a few minutes to mix together!
This Moscow Mule recipe is absolutely perfect! The balance of vodka, ginger beer, and fresh lime juice is spot on, and serving it in a chilled copper mug makes all the difference.
by Sommer Collier — on Feb 5, 2025 
I’ve tried several Moscow Mule recipes, and this one is by far the best! This will definitely be a staple in my cocktail rotation!
Hands down the best Moscow Mule I’ve ever had! The recipe is simple, yet the flavors are bold and delicious, and I love that it only takes a few minutes to mix together!
This Moscow Mule recipe is absolutely perfect! The balance of vodka, ginger beer, and fresh lime juice is spot on, and serving it in a chilled copper mug makes all the difference.