“Not Actually from Moscow” Mule Recipes

While reports vary on the specifics of its origins, the Moscow Mule is decidedly very American; its name taking inspiration from the Russian roots of its vodka base, the primary ingredient. The refreshing ginger and lime flavors make it a great summer cocktail–but maybe you want a little more flair than the standard vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice concoction. These variation Moscow Mule recipes will be sure to help brighten up your taste buds.

Whichever you decide to go with, it’ll always pair best with a copper mug.

Classic Moscow Mule Recipe

• 1.5 ounces vodka
• .5 ounces lime juice
• .5 cup ginger beer
• Ice cubes
• 1 lime wedge, garnish

Pour vodka and lime juice (try freshly squeezed juice) into a copper mug; add ginger beer and ice cubes. Stir.

Slice a lime, and add a wedge to the edge of the mug as a garnish.

Spicy Mule Variation [2]

• Jalapeño pepper (1 per 6 drinks)
• 1 ounce lime juice
• .5 cup ginger beer
• .5 ounces orange liqueur
• 2 ounces vodka
• Ice cubes

Thinly slice the jalapeño; muddle 1/6 of them with a the lime juice and orange liqueur in a copper mug. Add vodka and ginger beer. Stir–use a short straw for quicker drink prep.

Add ice.

Kentucky Mule Drink Recipe

Taking it’s name from everyone’s favorite source for whiskey, this bourbon-variant has just the right amount of kick.

• 1 ounce lime juice
• .5 cup ginger beer
• 1.5 ounce bourbon whiskey
• Ice cubes

Fill a copper mug with ice. Pour the bourbon whiskey over the ice. Fill remainder of mug with ginger beer before adding as splash of the lime juice.

Havana Mule

This recipe is the same as the Classic Moscow Mule above, but it swaps the vodka for rum, giving a fun tropical experience.

• 2 oz Rum
• 1 bottle Ginger Beer
• 1/2 Lime, wedged
• Fresh Coconut Slice
• Slice of Fresh Pineapple
• Pineapple Juice
• Ice

Shave coconut into copper mug and muddle. Combine rum, ginger beer, and squeezed lime. Finish with a splash of the pineapple juice and ice. Stir.

Add pineapple to edge of mug for garnish, and probably a little drink umbrella as well.

Apple Cider Moscow Mule

• 2 ounces ginger flavored vodka
• 2 ounces apple cider
• 1 lime wedge (for juice)
• Ice cubes
• .5 cup ginger beer
• Cinnamon, garnish

Pour vodka and apple cider in to copper mug; squeeze lime juice. Stir.

Add ice cubes; sprinkle cinnamon over the ice. Fill remainder of mug with the ginger beer. For an extra special presentation, garnish with an apple slice and cinnamon stick.

Let us know what you think of these, and we’d love to hear more about your favorite Moscow Mule variations in the comments below.