The Best Moscow Mule Recipes (With fun Twists!)
Mar 24, 2025, Updated Feb 20, 2026
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Moscow Mules are one of those cocktails I keep coming back to no matter the season — they’re honestly the most requested drink whenever I host a party! There’s something about that combination of spicy ginger, tangy lime, and cold vodka in a copper mug that just works every single time. I’ve been making them for years — for casual Friday nights, holiday gatherings, summer parties — and over time I’ve developed so many fun variations that I had to round them all up in one place!
Before we get into all the fun variations, here’s a quick refresher:
What is a Moscow Mule?
A Moscow Mule is a classic cocktail made with vodka, ginger beer, and fresh lime juice, traditionally served in a copper mug. It originated in the 1940s at the Cock ‘n’ Bull pub in Los Angeles, and it’s been a crowd favorite ever since — and honestly, for good reason. The combination of spicy ginger beer and bright lime is incredibly refreshing, and it comes together in about two minutes.
While the original is simple and perfect, there are so many delicious ways to put a fun spin on it — like swapping the vodka for bourbon (Kentucky Mule), adding fresh fruit syrups, or going seasonal with apple cider in the fall. That’s exactly what this roundup is all about!
Best Moscow Mule Recipes
Whether you’re sticking with the classic or want to try something a little unexpected (a Tokyo Mule with sake? A smoky Mezcal version?), there’s a Moscow Mule recipe here for every mood and occasion. Each one is bubbly, refreshing, and so easy to make.
Classic Moscow Mule
Pin this now to find it later
Pin ItThe original and still one of my favorites. Simple, refreshing, and exactly what a Moscow Mule should taste like — ice cold, spicy from the ginger beer, and bright from fresh lime juice. If you’ve never made one before, start here. You only need three ingredients and five minutes.
Cranberry Moscow Mule
This one has such a festive, beautiful color — it’s perfect for the holidays or any time you want something that looks as good as it tastes. Made with a homemade cranberry simple syrup and finished with orange zest and sugared cranberries on top. The flavor is sweet, tart, and completely gorgeous.
Blueberry Moscow Mule
If you have fresh blueberries on hand, make this immediately. A homemade blueberry simple syrup gives this mule a beautiful purple hue and a sweet, jammy berry flavor. It’s a summer favorite and one of the prettiest cocktails I make.
Kentucky Mule Recipe
This is the Moscow Mule’s bolder, whiskey-loving cousin. Swap the vodka for bourbon and suddenly you have something richer, warmer, and deeply satisfying. Smooth, refreshing, and perfect for whiskey lovers — or anyone who wants to try something a little different.
Smoky Lemon Mule
If you love Mezcal, this one is for you. The smokiness of the Mezcal, paired with fresh lemon juice (instead of lime), gives this mule a unique, complex flavor. It’s a little unexpected and really, really good.
Tokyo Mule Recipe
Light, refreshing, and spa-like — this mule is made with sake and fresh cucumber for the most elegant, delicate flavor. It’s the one I make when I want something sophisticated and a little different. Perfect for a summer afternoon.
Kombucha Mule Recipe
For anyone who loves their kombucha, this recipe is a fun way to use it as a cocktail mixer! It gives the mule an extra bubbly, slightly tangy taste and adds a little gut-friendly bonus. A great option if you want something lighter.
Apple Cider Moscow Mule
This was actually one of the very first Moscow Mule recipes I ever created on Sugar and Charm — and it’s still one of the most popular ones! The combination of apple cider and ginger is made for fall. Cozy, festive, and so good with a cinnamon sugar rim.
Lemon and Sage Moscow Mule
Fresh lemon, a splash of limoncello, and a hint of sage make this one of the most refreshing garden-inspired mules I’ve ever made. It tastes like something you’d sip at a beautiful outdoor dinner party — which is exactly when I love to serve it.
Gingerbread Mule Recipe
A holiday must-have!! This one is packed with gingerbread spices, molasses, and ginger flavor — everything that makes the holidays feel cozy and festive. It’s a little sweet, a little spicy, and completely irresistible.
Halloween Moscow Mule
Spooky, dramatic, and so fun to serve at a Halloween party. Made with blackberries and black vodka for a dark, mysterious color that everyone will ask about.
You’ll also love my Pineapple Moscow Mule and Pear Irish Whiskey Mule — both so good and perfect for when you want something a little different!!
Tips for Making the Best Moscow Mule
After making hundreds of these over the years, here’s what I’ve learned:
Go heavy on the ginger. A great Moscow Mule should be noticeably spicy and gingery. Use ginger vodka if you can, choose a good quality ginger beer (not ginger ale — there’s a difference!), and add a splash of ginger simple syrup if you really want to amp up the flavor.
Use fresh lime juice. Bottled lime juice is fine in a pinch, but fresh makes a real difference here. The brightness it adds to the cocktail is worth the extra 30 seconds.
Don’t skip the copper mug. It keeps the drink ice cold and makes the whole experience so much better. Plus it just looks so charming on a table!
Make it a mocktail. Skip the vodka and use sparkling water in place of some of the ginger beer for a non-alcoholic version that’s just as delicious. All of these recipes work beautifully as mocktails.
Make it in a big batch. Hosting a crowd? Multiply the ingredients, mix everything except the ginger beer in a large pitcher, and top individual glasses with ginger beer when serving. Easy and impressive!
How to Make a Moscow Mule
- Fill a copper mug with ice
- Add 2 oz vodka and ½ oz fresh lime juice
- Top with 4-6 oz ginger beer
- Garnish with a lime wedge and fresh mint sprig
Pro tip: For the best flavor, use the most gingery ingredients possible — ginger vodka, high-quality ginger beer, and a splash of homemade ginger syrup.
Ginger Simple Syrup
Some of these recipes call for ginger syrup. It’s easy to make at home — just combine equal parts sugar and water with fresh sliced ginger, simmer for 10 minutes, and strain. Or grab one of these to keep on hand:
FAQs
The copper mug keeps your cocktail extra cold and enhances the fizzy, gingery flavor. The metal conducts temperature beautifully, which means every sip stays ice cold from first to last. Plus, honestly — it just looks so good!
Most ginger beers are non-alcoholic, which surprises a lot of people! The one exception I use occasionally is Crabbie’s Original Ginger Beer, which does contain alcohol and gives the cocktail an extra kick.
Ginger beer is brewed and fermented, which gives it a much stronger, spicier, more complex ginger flavor. Ginger ale is carbonated water with ginger flavoring — it’s milder and sweeter. For a Moscow Mule, always use ginger beer.
Ginger ale works in a pinch for a milder, sweeter version. You can also use sparkling water with a splash of ginger syrup or fresh ginger juice for a spicier, more homemade-tasting option.
Yes! Mix the vodka, lime juice, and any syrups ahead of time and store in a pitcher in the fridge. Add the ginger beer right before serving so it stays bubbly.
Moscow Mule Recipes
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