Here’s our guide to this hot-weather go-to cocktail and its many variations.
The triple-digit temps are here. So you need a cocktail that’s refreshing enough to keep your mood somewhere north of “suffering through it.”
Maybe you need a Moscow Mule.
Why’s that, you ask? It’s a cocktail that’s been persistently popular for almost a century. It’s way easy to make. And the “Buck” family of cocktails it comes from is guaranteed to add some new favorites to your mixology portfolio.
So let’s dive into the Moscow Mule, talk about those variations and go over the ingredients you need. And we’ll offer Mulberry MAX as your one-stop Fort Collins liquor store for all the makings and advice you need to make a Moscow Mule that puts you in a seriously chill headspace.
Moscow Mule: The origin story and history of a popular cocktail
The Moscow Mule has nothing to do with Moscow. Or mules. But it is one of the most refreshing, zippy cocktails to ever hit a copper mug. Russia might try to claim it, but it was apparently born in the 1940s at a bar in Los Angeles. A vodka guy, a ginger beer guy, and a woman with a ton of copper mugs walked into a bar and basically created a marketing miracle. That’s not a joke. That’s cocktail history.
Back then, vodka was struggling to get traction in the U.S. The Moscow Mule changed that fast. People loved it. It was cold, fizzy and had a spicy ginger kick with a citrus twist. The copper mug? That was part genius, part gimmick. It looked cool, kept the drink icy and helped this cocktail go viral decades before that was even a thing.
Today, the Mule is back in a big way. You’ll find them on menus everywhere — classic, spicy, fruity, even zero-proof versions. But honestly? The OG still slaps. Vodka, ginger beer, fresh lime juice. Three ingredients. Big personality. If you’re not already making them at home, you’re missing out.
Moscow Mule basic recipe
A copper mug traditionally holds this drink, but don’t let the lack of one stop you. A highball glass works fine, and whatever the vessel, mix the drink right in it.
Ingredients
2 ounces vodka
½ ounce lime juice
3 ounces ginger beer
1 thin lime slice, for garnish
Directions
Fill your mug or glass with ice, then add the lime juice and vodka and stir briefly. Top with the ginger beer, garnish and serve.
How to choose your Moscow Mule ingredients
This is not the cocktail that requires a premium vodka, so it’s a cost-effective option for your next backyard party. Any midrange vodka will do nicely. North Colorado has numerous skilled distillers that offer excellent vodka at a decent price, including Mobb, The Heart, Spirit Hound and Spring44. Mulberry MAX stocks those vodkas and many others to help you make the Moscow Mule of your dreams.
Many different vodkas will work, but your ginger beer decision is a different story. You’ll find that the ginger beer you choose makes a big difference in your cocktail. Some have more spice, such as Bundaberg or Fever Tree, while others are a more balanced blend of spice and sweetness, such as local favorite Kure’s. Gosling’s is on the sweeter side. Try a few brands to find the ginger beer that fits your palate.
And that raises a key question: Is ginger ale a good substitute for ginger beer? Ginger beer is the right choice here, being less sweet and more rich and spicy. But if ginger ale is all you’ve got, it’ll do.
The Moscow Mule and the ‘Buck’ cocktail family offer myriad variations
The Moscow Mule cocktail was hardly the first of its kind: It stems from the “Buck” family of cocktails. They rely on a simple equation: ginger + citrus + booze = yum! Math doesn’t lie.
The Gin Buck reigned supreme in the 1920s, but the early Bucks started happening back in the 1800s, and they usually contained whiskey. Other versions followed; here are just a few:
- The Kentucky Buck, with bourbon, lemon juice and muddled strawberries
- The Dark & Stormy, with dark rum subbing in
- The Irish Buck, using Irish whisky
- The Brazilian Buck, with cachaca
Suffice it to say, you could use any spirit in place of the vodka and make it work. Maybe you go for the bitter vibe of an amaro instead, or you choose from the many flavors of soju. Can’t go wrong here.
And you can also play with the citrus. Here’s a version with smoked, caramelized grapefruit. Or a blood orange version would go well with tequila. Muddled blackberries and lemon juice with a smooth Irish whisky? Count us in. This whole family of cocktails is basically just an excuse to get creative.
Ready-to-drink Moscow Mule options? Sure thing.
No one’s saying you have to dabble in mixology if you want a Moscow Mule, of course. Mulberry MAX carries a variety of ready-to-drink options to suit whatever you’re craving. A team member will be glad to help you find what you’re looking for.
Your Fort Collins source for Moscow Mule ingredients galore
If you’re ready to stock up and shake things up, come see us at Mulberry Max, your go-to Fort Collins liquor store. We’ve got the vodka, the ginger beer and all the cocktail advice you’ll need to make your next Moscow Mule taste like perfection. Want more cocktail tips, deals, and product drops? Subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. We keep it fresh, fun, and very well-stocked.