The recipe
for your table
Fill the copper mug to the brim with ice cubes.
Pour in the vodka and lime juice.
Top up with ginger beer and stir gently once.
Garnish with a lime wedge and a sprig of mint.
The story
The Moscow Mule was born from two emergencies: John Martin had to sell his newly purchased Smirnoff vodka in a country that drank whiskey, while Jack Morgan, owner of the Cock'n Bull pub in Hollywood, was left with cellars full of homemade ginger beer. Together—and, according to legend, with a batch of unsellable copper mugs from a Russian immigrant—they came up with the Moscow Mule in 1941. Clever marketing with Polaroids of drinking stars did the rest: within ten years, all of America was drinking vodka.
The right glass
Copper conducts cold better than glass: within a minute, the entire mug is ice-cold and that characteristic layer of condensation forms. That is precisely why the Moscow Mule belongs in a copper mug of approximately 45 to 50 cl, with a food-safe interior. Prefer glass? Then choose a mule glass with a textured finish—you can create a beautiful presentation with that too. In our Moscow Mule category, you’ll find both options. If you prefer glass to copper, pour it into a tall model from our long drink glasses.
Speakeasy Moscow Mule Curved Cocktail Glass 45 cl
RCR Tattoo Moscow Mule 42 cl (4 pieces)
Both sets — € 73.90 together, free shipping from € 50.
Variations & Twists
With gin, it’s called a London Mule; with dark rum, a Dark 'n Stormy cousin; and with bourbon, a Kentucky Mule—the copper mug suits them all. Muddle in some cucumber for a refreshing summer version. Fresh ginger syrup alongside the ginger beer makes it extra spicy. Looking for more inspiration? Browse all 80 cocktail recipes.
Serving Tip
The difference between ginger beer and ginger ale is significant: beer is cloudier, spicier, and makes the real Mule. Put the mugs in the freezer for fifteen minutes for maximum frost effect.
Ginger Beer or Ginger Ale
This difference determines the entire cocktail. Ginger beer is brewed or fermented with fresh ginger, is cloudy, and has a sharp, peppery bite; ginger ale is clear, sweetened, and much milder. With ale, you get a flat vodka lemonade in which the ginger barely comes through. Check the label for the ginger content and choose a brand with ginger high on the ingredients list. If you only have ale at home, stir 1 cl of fresh ginger syrup into the cocktail; it comes close, although the result will remain sweeter.
How to Clean and Safely Use a Copper Mug
Copper reacts with acid, so a good mule mug has an inner lining of tin, nickel, or stainless steel. Check this when buying one, and never leave an unlined mug filled for hours. Wash it by hand in lukewarm soapy water and dry it immediately afterward, because the dishwasher damages the lining and dulls the copper. If the outside turns green or brown, rub it with a tablespoon of salt mixed with a little lemon juice, rinse, and dry it afterward. Twice a year is enough.
Non-Alcoholic Moscow Mule
Leave out the vodka and you’re left with lime and ginger beer, which drinks well but feels a little thin. Instead, top up the 4.5 cl with non-alcoholic 0.0 vodka, or use 3 cl of strong, chilled ginger tea with a few drops of non-alcoholic bitters for extra depth. Keep 1.5 cl of fresh lime juice and 12 cl of ginger beer, and fill the mug just as full with ice. The copper will get equally cold and frost over just as beautifully, and for most guests, that makes up half the difference compared with the original.
How much ginger beer goes in a glass
The ratio you're looking for is approximately one to three: 4.5 cl of vodka to 12 cl of ginger beer, with 1.5 cl of fresh lime juice in between. In a 45 to 50 cl mug, this fills it to the brim with ice. If you use a larger glass, maintain the same ratio instead of simply adding more ginger beer; otherwise, the vodka will disappear completely. A 20 cl bottle makes one and a half cocktails, so stock three to four bottles for every six guests.
Frequently asked questions
What is in a Moscow Mule?
A Moscow Mule consists of 4.5 cl of vodka, 1.5 cl of fresh lime juice, and 12 cl of ginger beer, served over plenty of ice in a copper mug. Garnish with a lime wedge and optionally a sprig of mint. This 1941 classic needs no other ingredients.
How do you make a simple Moscow Mule?
Fill the mug to the brim with ice cubes, pour the vodka and lime juice over them, top up with ginger beer, and stir gently once. Garnish with lime and serve. Everything happens in the glass, so you don't need a shaker or strainer for this cocktail.
Why is a Moscow Mule served in a copper mug?
Copper conducts cold better than glass: within a minute, the entire mug is ice-cold and a layer of condensation forms, keeping the ginger bite sharp. Choose a 45 to 50 cl mug with a food-safe interior and place it in the freezer briefly beforehand; see our Moscow Mule glasses.
How much ginger beer is in a Moscow Mule?
Allow 12 cl of ginger beer per cocktail, compared with 4.5 cl of vodka and 1.5 cl of fresh lime juice. Use ginger beer, not ginger ale: the former is cloudier and spicier, making the difference between a real Mule and a sweet long drink.
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