How To Make a Moscow Mule With Gin

If you also envision drinking a Moscow Mule in your favorite Christmas sweater, you’re not alone. The Moscow Mule is one of the most popular cocktails. It was the most googled drink in the US in 2017, surpassing the margarita.

Why does everyone love this alcoholic ginger beer with lime in it?

The Moscow Mule is really easy to make with only 3-5 ingredients, depending on what you want to add to it. It tastes sweet, spicy, and strong at the same time, satisfying everyone on each side of the taste spectrum. It also pairs well with other dishes because of its versatile flavor.

So how do you make a Moscow Mule with Gin?

Use gin instead of vodka as the base in the recipe, and add some other ingredients like mint leaves and simple syrup. You can garnish it with mint sprigs.

Let’s dive into everything you need to know about how to make a Moscow Mule with gin, different variations of the drink, and the fascinating history of the Moscow Mule cocktail.

How To Make a Traditional Moscow Mule

Before we get into the gin version, let’s look at the traditional Moscow mule recipe. This gives you a good foundation for making all sorts of variations.

The traditional Moscow Mule consists of vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice served in a copper mug. To create the perfect mix of flavors and warmth, it is important to choose your ingredients carefully and mix them together properly for an authentic taste.

Ingredients of a Traditional Moscow Mule

Here’s a breakdown of the ingredients for the traditional Moscow Mule recipe.

• Vodka: Vodka is the base spirit in the original Moscow Mule recipe. It provides an alcoholic kick and gives the drink its signature flavor. The first Moscow Mule used Smirnoff vodka, and although most bars still use this brand,  you can use any vodka you like. You’ll be using 2 ounces of vodka for the original recipe.
• Ginger Beer: Ginger beer is a spicy, carbonated beverage that adds a sweet and spicy flavor to the cocktail. It also helps to balance out the vodka and lime juice with just enough sugar. You’ll need 4 ounces of ginger beer.
• Lime Juice: The lime juice adds a tart and acidic flavor to the cocktail. It accentuates the flavor of ginger beer and vodka. You’ll need 3/4 of an ounce of lime juice or one small lime.
• Copper Mug: The copper mug is an essential part of the Moscow Mule experience. The copper helps to keep the cocktail cold because the metal insulates the liquid inside, and it’s a staple of the Moscow Mule all around the world.
• Lime Wedge or Wheel: This is used to garnish the drink and give it a final citrusy touch. It also adds a touch of exquisiteness to the cocktail.
• Ice: To keep your cocktail chilled and refreshing.

Instructions

• Start by preparing your lime. If you don’t have premade lime juice, use a juicer to get your lime ready. Add the lime to the copper mug.
• Add 2 ounces of vodka to the mix. Then add your ice.

• At this point, you can stir it, but I usually don’t.
• Next, top off the mix with your ginger beer and stir thoroughly. Don’t pour your ginger beer right on top of the ice so it doesn’t layer on it.
• Garnish with a lime wedge or dip a lime wheel in the drink. Enjoy.

How To Make a Moscow Mule With Gin

Now that you know how to make the original Moscow Mule, why not try something different?

You’d think making a Moscow Mule with Gin is simply replacing the vodka in the recipe with gin, but it’s a different recipe. You can make your mule that way if you want to, but I’ll teach you a better recipe.

Ingredients

• Mint leaves
• ¾ ounces of fresh lemon juice
• 1 ounce of simple syrup
• 2 ounces of gin
• 4 ounces of ginger beer
• Mint sprig for garnish

Instructions

• Add the mint leaves, lime juice, and simple syrup to your copper mug. If you don’t know how to muddle properly, here’s a guide.
• Fill the mug with ice.
• Add your gin to the mix, and you can stir if you want to.
• Add your ginger beer and stir properly.
• Garnish with a mint sprig, and you have a Gin Moscow Mule.

Some Mule Tips You Should Know

• We’re using simple syrup for the recipe because it’s easier to mix, sugar might simply deposit at the bottom of your mug.
• Simple syrups also come flavored, so depending on what flavor you use, you can add complexity to the flavor of your Moscow Mule.
• Ensure your mint leaves are fresh.
• You can use ginger ale for the recipe, but it’ll be much sweeter than ginger beer. You can use ½ an ounce of ginger ale to balance the cocktail.
• Use quality gin and beer because the drinks you use will affect the taste of your cocktail.
• Squeezing fresh lime is much better than store-bought lime juice.
• Making your own simple syrup is better and will save you money.

Variations of the Moscow Mule

Why stop at one? Here are some other variations of the Moscow Mule you should try out.

• Kentucky Mule: This variation on the Moscow Mule swaps out the vodka for bourbon. The result is a slightly sweeter and smoother version of the classic. The Kentucky Mule is often garnished with a sprig of mint or a slice of orange.
• Mexican Mule: This version of the Moscow Mule incorporates tequila, ginger beer, and lime juice. This version is perfect for those who like a little more spice in their drink. It can be garnished with a lime wedge and a sprig of cilantro.
• Dark & Stormy Mule: This version of the Moscow Mule combines rum, ginger beer, and lime juice. It is a slightly sweeter version of the classic, and it is often garnished with a lime wedge and a sprig of mint.
• Irish Mule: This variation of the Moscow Mule incorporates Irish whiskey, ginger beer, and lime juice. It’s perfect for those who like a little extra sweetness. It can be garnished with a lime wedge and a sprig of mint.
• Apple Mule: This version of the Moscow Mule combines vodka, apple cider, and ginger beer. If you like a little extra sweetness, this is your drink. It can be garnished with a slice of apple. 
• Grapefruit Mule: This version of the Moscow Mule incorporates vodka, ginger beer, and grapefruit juice. Try this if you want more tartness in your drink. It can be garnished with a wedge of grapefruit.

This isn’t an exhaustive list, keep discovering and trying different recipes.

Fascinating History of the Moscow Mule

The Moscow Mule is said to have been created in 1941 by Jack Morgan, owner of the Cock‘n’Bull pub in Los Angeles, John Martin, drink executive of Heublein (a drink company), and Rudolf Kunett, the president of the vodka division at Heublein. Heublein was representing Smirnoff vodka at the time.

The story goes thus, Jack, Rudolf, and Martin were all sitting at Jack’s bar trying to find a way to promote their respective products, Smirnoff vodka and Cock‘n’Bull ginger beer.

They decided to mix the two together and serve it in a copper mug. Jack got copper mugs from his girlfriend, who worked at a copper company, but he didn’t find any use for them until the creation of the Moscow Mule.

So they added vodka, ginger beer, and lemon juice (although people use lime now) together in the copper mug, and the Moscow Mule was born.

Some reports say Wes Price, who was the head bartender of Cock’n’Bull at the time, was responsible for putting it all together, but there’s no doubt the modern Moscow Mule was created in that pub.

Not many people in America drank vodka at the time, gin was the most popular spirit, and Smirnoff was trying to change that. 

The drink quickly became one of the most popular cocktails in the United States and remains so to this day.

It is typically served in a copper mug, although some variations call for a highball glass. The Moscow Mule is also sometimes referred to as a “Mule Kick” or “Moscow Mule Punch.”

With variations being created all over the world, today, the Moscow Mule is a beloved classic, with its distinctive flavor and copper mug serving as a symbol of style and sophistication.

Final Thoughts

Now that you know how to make the original Moscow Mule and Gin Moscow Mule, you can sip a great-tasting cocktail while wearing your favorite sweater and watching your favorite comfort show. Again, keep trying different Mule variations until you find your best.