Moscow Mule
A low-proof vodka cocktail with ginger beer, simple syrup, and lime juice. It is tart from the lime, sweet from the syrup and ginger beer, and about 10% ABV.
Also in Death & Co: Modern Classic Cocktails, with a different recipe →
5
Shake with ice and strain into a chilled mule cup filled with ice
Moscow Mule
Making on the scale needs Web Bluetooth — use Chrome on desktop or Android. You can still Preview the steps.
Volume186 ml
Strength10% ABV
Alcohol18 ml (14 g)44 ml of vodka (40%)1.5 shots (of 30ml)
Sugar19 g (10.4%)5 sugar cubes
Acidity0.73%
Sweet vs sourSweet
Lucius Beebe, “The Stork Club Bar Book” (1946)
Similar cocktails
Blackstar
A light, low-proof vodka cocktail with grapefruit and lime juices, star anise, and small amounts of sambuca and simple syrup. It is tart, lightly sweet, and about 13% ABV.
Grapefruit juice and sambuca replacing ginger beer and less simple syrup make it less sweet and ginger-spiced, with citrus-anise notes and more vodka strength.
- Same: Vodka and .75 oz lime juice, shaken.
- Different: 2 oz vodka instead of 1.5 oz; grapefruit juice and sambuca instead of ginger beer; .25 oz simple syrup; served up in a coupe with a star anise pod.
Cosmopolitan
A vodka-based cocktail with orange liqueur, lime juice, cranberry juice, and simple syrup. It is tart and lightly sweet (off-dry), with moderate strength at about 15% ABV.
Cointreau and cranberry juice instead of ginger beer, plus less simple syrup, make it less sweet and gingery, with tart cranberry-orange notes and no carbonation.
- Same: Vodka and .75 oz lime juice, shaken.
- Different: 2 oz Buddha's hand vodka; Cointreau and cranberry juice instead of ginger beer; .25 oz simple syrup; served up in a coupe with an orange twist.
Daiquiri
A rum sour made with lime juice and simple syrup. It is tart with a balanced, moderately sweet profile and moderate strength at about 14% ABV.
Rum without ginger beer makes it stronger and more tart-sweet, without ginger spice or dilution.
- Same: Lime juice and simple syrup, shaken.
- Different: 2 oz rum instead of vodka; no ginger beer; .75 oz syrup; served up in a coupe with a lime wheel.
French Maid
A low-proof cognac cocktail mixed with lime juice, ginger beer, cucumber, mint, and falernum. It is tart and sweet, with light alcohol strength of about 10% ABV.
Cognac in place of vodka makes it boozier and richer, while falernum, muddled mint and cucumber add sweet spice and fresh herbal notes.
- Same: 1 oz ginger beer and .75 oz lime juice, shaken and strained over ice.
- Different: 1.5 oz cognac instead of vodka; muddled mint and cucumber added; .75 oz simple syrup and falernum; a Collins glass with cucumber and mint.
Mojito
A light rum highball with muddled mint, lime juice, simple syrup and a splash of club soda. It is lightly tart from the lime, sweet, and low in alcohol at about 12% ABV.
Muddled mint and club soda in place of ginger beer make it minty and less ginger-spicy, while rum instead of vodka adds a molasses-like base.
- Same: 1 oz simple syrup and .75 oz lime juice, shaken and strained over ice.
- Different: 2 oz rum instead of vodka; muddled mint added; topped with club soda instead of ginger beer; a Collins glass with a mint sprig.
El Burro
A low-proof reposado tequila drink mixed with ginger beer, lime juice, pineapple juice, simple syrup, and a touch of absinthe. It is tart, lightly sweet, and light in alcohol at about 10% ABV.
Reposado tequila in place of vodka plus added pineapple juice and absinthe give it a fruitier, agave-forward profile with a herbal licorice note.
- Same: 1 oz ginger beer, .75 oz lime juice, candied ginger and a lime wheel, shaken and strained over ice.
- Different: Reposado tequila instead of vodka; pineapple juice and absinthe added; .5 oz simple syrup; served in a Collins glass.
Moscow Mule