The Ultimate Guide of How to Make a Moscow Mule

Want to mix Moscow Mules at home? This guide has all the information that you need: from the tools to have on hand, popular ingredients, as well as tips and tricks to making this classic cocktail your own.

Three copper mugs sitting on a blue and white striped towel hold Moscow mules garnished with lime wedges on marble with a pitcher behind them

We’ve spend an entire year talking about Moscow Mules and all kinds of variations on them, so to finish off the year strong, I wanted to share my ultimate guide to making the best Mule!

In this guide, you’ll find the tools you absolutely need to have on hand for any type of Moscow Mule, as well as popular ingredients you might find.

Also, if you ever wanted to learn my best tips and tricks for making Moscow Mules, they’re here, too, along with the list of mules made this year, as well as a few extras.

The Year of the Mule recipes: Classic Moscow Mule | Blood Orange Mocktail Mule | Raspberry Moscow Mule | Irish Mule | Kentucky Mule | Mexican Mule | Gin Gin Mule | Frozen Moscow Mule | Dark and Stormy (Rum Moscow Mule) | Pumpkin Spice Mule | Apple Cider Moscow Mule | Moscow Mule Pitcher | Cranberry Moscow Mule (Yule Mule)

Tools you need to make a Moscow Mule

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Must-have ingredients to make a Mule recipe

Most Moscow Mule recipes share three ingredients in common: Vodka, ginger beer and freshly squeezed lime juice.

Let’s talk about them all and what you should use to make the BEST Moscow Mule imaginable!

What vodka should I use in a Moscow Mule?

Whenever making cocktails, I always, always, always suggest using a good quality liquor. The same goes for a vodka in this cocktail.

Tito’s is our hands-down favorite. (Texas brands for the win!)

However, there are so many excellent quality vodkas out there that you probably have one hanging out in your home already, so use what you’ve got on hand, so long as it’s a decent quality.

What ginger beer should I use in a Moscow Mule?

Ginger beer is integral to this classic vodka drink, and it’s a piece of every riff I’ve ever seen on the classic drink, too.

Fun fact: Ginger beer isn’t a beer in the sense that we think of beer. In fact, it’s not considered an alcoholic beverage because there is so little alcohol present. Ginger beer is brewed like a kombucha, so there is a very small amount of alcohol present when all is said and done.

What brand is our favorite? Fever Tree, hands-down, because it’s got a bit of spice to it.

What kind of lime juice should I use in a Moscow Mule?

I’m of the mindset that you’re going to need freshly squeezed lime juice. Which means you’ll need to do it yourself or purchase freshly squeezed, cold press lime juice from the refrigerated section of your grocer’s store. (You’ll generally find the juices next to the pre-cut fruit.)

Please, please, please do not purchase the shelf-stable lime juice in a lime-shaped bottle. The taste of your cocktail will not be the same.

If you’re going to juice the limes yourself, here are a few tips for doing that to get the most yield:

  • You’ll get 1-2 oz. of juice per lime, depending on the size of the lime.
  • Room temperature limes will yield the most juice. If you keep yours in the fridge, pop the lime(s) into the microwave and nuke for 10-20 seconds. This will help get the juices running.
  • Use a citrus juicer or reamer (affiliate links) to get the most juice from your lime(s). I like to juice mine into a liquid measuring cup (affiliate link) that has a fine mesh strainer (affiliate link) fitted onto it to ensure no lime pulp or seeds make it into my final drink.

What ingredients do I need if I’m going to make a twist on this classic vodka drink?

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Twists on Moscow Mules are so much fun and add some unique flavors in with the ginger-lime-vodka combination.

If you’re making a twist, you’ll likely need…

  • Fruit juice, depending on the mule
  • Simple syrup
  • Additional fruit/herb garnishes

If you’re looking for some recipes for that, keep scrolling because I’ve listed every Mule we’ve ever made for this site!

Tips and Tricks to the best homemade Mules

  • Use good quality vodka or liquor if you’re making a riff on a classic, like an Irish Mule, Mexican Mule, Gin Gin Mule or a Kentucky Mule.
  • Use a good quality ginger beer, too. We’ve tasted a lot of ginger beer in our time, and some veer from very sweet to tart and spicy. Fever Tree is still our favorite because it has an element of heat.
  • When mixing, taste as you go. Some lime juice is more tart than others, and you might need to sweeten it with some simple syrup.

The Best Moscow Mules to Make at Home

Looking for the best Mules to make at home? Here are a few classics, as well as twists on them that make for fantastic cocktails to mix at your own home.

Classic Moscow Mules

Looking for the classic recipe? We've got a few for you, depending on your mood.

Twists on the Classic Mule

Looking for a take on the classic that's a little different? We've got a LOT of ideas for you, featuring fresh fruits and veggies.

Mules Made with Other Alcohols

Moscow Mules aren't just for vodka lovers! Here are a few variations that use other liquors to make fun, festive drinks.

Mocktail Mules and Mules without Alcohol

Because you don't need alcohol to enjoy a good mule drink!

Three copper mugs sitting on a blue and white striped towel hold Moscow mules garnished with lime wedges on marble with a pitcher behind them
Yield: 1 Moscow Mule

How to make the Best Moscow Mules

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Active Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated Cost: $20

Want to mix Moscow Mules at home? This guide has all the information that you need: from the tools to have on hand, popular ingredients, as well as tips and tricks to making this classic cocktail your own.

Materials

Instructions

  1. Choose the type of mule you'd like to make.
  2. Gather the ingredients, and chill the applicable ones. (Ginger beer, lime juice and any other fruit juice should be cold.)
  3. Add ice to your copper mule mug.
  4. Measure in the ingredients to your mule.
  5. Stir with a cocktail spoon.
  6. Garnish with a wedge of lime, as well as any other applicable fruit.
  7. Enjoy immediately.

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