Vodka Mule (“Moscow Mule”)

The VODKA MULE (“Moscow Mule”) was the drink that catapulted vodka beyond its Eastern Europe & Russian boundaries back in the ’40s. It’s a fizzy, limey-ginger vodka drink that offers a spicy kick when made with real ginger beer. It can be served in a cocktail rocks glass or the original frozen copper mug (above).

Requirements: Vodka, lime, ginger beer, lime wheel or wedge garnish, copper mug or cocktail glass

• 3 oz. (2 parts) Vodka
• 1.5 oz. (1 part) lime juice
• 6 oz. (4 parts) ginger beer
• 1 lime wheel or wedge for garnish

Fill a cocktail glass or frozen copper mug with ice. Add vodka and lime juice. Finally, add at least twice the amount of ginger beer as vodka, or simply fill the rest of the mug with ginger beer. Garnish with a lime wheel or wedge.

Origin: 1941 — from a Los Angeles bartender and a trio of people that came together to market a vodka drink mixed with their over-supply of ginger beer, matched with the infamous copper mug from a woman’s copper-product business. The drink quickly became popular among L.A. and N.Y. establishments, never Russia. With 8 of the top 10 vodka brands originating from Europe, Scandinavia or the U.S., there’s no reason to name it a Moscow Mule anymore.

Comments: Some suggested ginger beers are Saranac Diet Ginger Beer, Fentimans Botanically Brewed Ginger Beer, Gosling’s Stormy Ginger Beer, Fever-Tree, Barritts, Reeds, Powell & Mahoney, or sugar-free Zevia. The mug or glass should be pre-chilled or frozen and the ginger beer refrigerated in advance. FYI, freezing the copper mugs have received warnings of toxicity, albeit small amounts, due to “copper leakage” into the drink.

Similar Drinks:

Dark ‘n Stormy: https://keetscocktails.com/dark-n-stormy/

Kentucky Mule: https://keetscocktails.com/kentucky-mule/