Moscow Mules (one basic AF, the other grapefruit)
The Moscow Mule is a delightful summer drink for a casual day of barbecuing. It’s refreshing and feels even more so when drinking it out of a chilled copper mug. Here we have a recipe for two kinds — one Basic AF Moscow Mule, and the other a Grapefruit Moscow Mule — both ready to cool you down while you’re manning the grill or just relaxing by the pool.
Ahhh, the Moscow Mule. It’s such a laid back drink, don’t you think? It takes no effort to make, you drink it out of a chilled, cool-looking mug, and after one sip, you feel refreshed and relaxed (and maybe a little tipsy). I don’t drink many vodka drinks because I prefer tequila, but once I heard what was in a Moscow Mule, I knew I would love it. It’s tangy from the lime juice and a little spicy from the ginger beer.
Since I’m on a grapefruit kick lately, I made mine with that. However, grapefruit is not Matt’s jam — he’s a keep it classic type of guy. And that’s why we have two recipes in this post — a Basic AF Moscow Mule and a Grapefruit Moscow Mule!
WHAT WILL I NEED FOR THE MOSCOW MULES?
Just three to four ingredients (depending on which one you choose to make):
- Vodka
- Ginger Beer
- Lime Juice
- Grapefruit Juice
There is also a garnish of mint, which is optional. It does make the Moscow Mule look pretty but also each time you take a sip, you breathe in the mint and make the drink even more enjoyable!
There is also the small addition of seltzer water, which is also optional. The ginger beer we used has good flavor but a bit on the sweet side for us, so we used seltzer to water it down a bit and to also keep it bubbly. If you prefer a sweeter Moscow Mule, leave out the seltzer and add more ginger beer. This also depends on the type of ginger beer you use, some are spicier than others and some sweeter. For reference, we used Reed’s Original Ginger Beer but Fever Tree is also good, just more on the spicy side.
DO I REALLY NEED COPPER MUGS FOR A MOSCOW MULE?
Definitely not! I read there are two things on why it’s preferred:
- Copper mugs maintain the temperature of the Moscow Mule
- Copper mugs enhance the taste & aroma of the Moscow Mule.
I would just use my Yeti Rambler (affiliate link) to keep my Moscow Mule colder, longer. As for the enhanced taste & aroma, maybe? I’ve had some Moscow Mules in mugs and also in regular cocktail glasses and I personally didn’t see it making a difference. However, who doesn’t like hammered copper and drinking out of mugs?
WHY DO YOUR MUGS LOOK GIGANTIC?
It’s because they are! They’re 27 oz! So with that, there is a bit of a warning for my Moscow Mule recipes — they’re deceivingly dangerous! These are large drinks and are meant to be sipped on as you won’t taste a lick of vodka… and there’s 3 oz in one drink! So add less, about 2 oz, to make a regular sized drink, and adjust everything else as well. I even listed how much ice I used in the recipe, but definitely adjust to your drinking glass/mug.
Hope you have a great Memorial Day Weekend! What is everyone doing? We’re still quarantining, so we plan to BBQ some steaks & sip on these Moscow Mules. If you’re firing up the grill, check out my Broiled Pineapple Guacamole recipe. Instead of broiling, grill those pineapples up!
And if you do make any of my recipes, it would be greatly appreciated if you could leave a comment and rating on their posts! Thank you in advance!
Enjoy your MDW!
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MOSCOW MULES
(ONE BASIC AF, THE OTHER GRAPEFRUIT)
recipe for later
Ingredients
- 3 oz vodka
- 2 limes juiced
- 6 oz ginger beer
- 2 oz seltzer optional
- mint for garnish
- 12 ice cubes less if using a smaller mug/cup, used crushed ice if you have it too
- lime wedge for garnish
Instructions
- Fill large mug or glass with lots of ice cubes. Add vodka, lime juice, ginger beer, & seltzer to mug. Take one of those lime carcasses and cut in half, and throw it in the mug along with some mint. Enjoy!
Notes
- For reference, our mugs are 27 oz -- this is a very dangerously strong drink (doesn't taste strong in alcohol at all). This is made for sipping throughout the day. To make these less dangerous, use 2 oz of vodka.
- We added the seltzer to cut back on the sweetness of the ginger beer, but feel free to remove the seltzer and just add 8 oz of ginger beer if prefer your drink sweet.
Ingredients
- 3 oz vodka
- 2 oz grapefruit juice fresh or boxed (100% juice)
- 1 lime juiced
- 6 oz ginger beer
- 2 oz seltzer optional
- 12 ice cubes
- grapefruit slice for garnish
- lime wedge for garnish
- mint leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Fill large mug or glass with lots of ice cubes. Add vodka, grapefruit juice, lime juice, ginger beer, & seltzer to mug. Take one of those lime carcasses and cut in half, throw it in the mug along with a thin slice of grapefruit and mint. Enjoy!
Notes
- For reference, our mugs are 27 oz -- this is a very dangerously strong drink (doesn't taste strong in alcohol at all). This is made for sipping throughout the day. To make these less dangerous, use 2 oz of vodka.
- We added the seltzer to cut back on the sweetness of the ginger beer, but feel free to remove the seltzer and just add 8 oz of ginger beer if prefer your drink sweet.