So I think I’ve shared before about how I have to be really careful about taking sleeping medication because I have a tendency to do things without realizing it, like that time when I woke up to an inbox full of Etsy notifications that I had purchased baby items (luckily I was pregnant at the time and not just spending way too much money on an imaginary baby.)
Well.
The other night, I took an Ambien, and when I woke up, I had ordered 4 copper mugs and I was like, “Oh, Kate, not again.” But not really because I’ve wanted a set for forever (I’m a sucker for beautiful drinkware, what can I say?), but they always seemed prohibitively expensive. So. Lesson is if there’s something I’ve been wanting for a long time, Ambien might make that decision for me.
Anyway, copper mugs are beautiful and keep your drink cold for a long time, but I discovered after my mugs arrived that in the cocktail world, they’re used for a drink called a Moscow Mule, which is (non-alcoholic) ginger beer (more about that in a minute), lime juice, fresh mint, and, if you’re a cocktail-sipper, some vodka. Being a long time lover of fancy drinks, I had to try it out and I was definitely not disappointed–it was crisp and refreshing and delicious and perfect for hot summer nights.
You’ll need a chilled bottle of non-alcoholic ginger beer (look for it with the specialty sodas or even with the natural/organic foods.) I like Cock ‘n’ Bull, but it is very spicy (although that’s tempered a little by the ice, lime juice, and mint), so if you’re a little nervous, you can use regular ginger ale, but I really recommend looking for a small, independent ginger soda–they’re very tasty and super trendy right now, so you can probably find them at your grocery store. You’ll also need some lime juice and mint leaves. If you’d like to make it a traditional cocktail, you can add vodka; if you leave out the vodka, you don’t have to add additional liquid, but if you’d like, you can add sparkling water, still water, or apple juice.
In the bottom of a copper mug, combine 1 tablespoon lime juice with 3-4 torn mint leaves and, if desired, water/sparkling water, limeade/lemonade, or vodka.
Repeat with second mug. Fill each mug half full with crushed ice,
then pour half of the bottle of ginger beer into each mug.
Garnish with mint sprigs and a lime wedge and serve immediately.
Moscow Mule
- Total Time: 5 minutes
Description
An easy and refreshing mocktail (or cocktail, depending on your preference) perfect for hot summer nights!
Ingredients
- 1 12-ounce bottle non-alcoholic ginger beer (I like Cock ‘n’ Bull, but it’s very spicy. If you want something milder, try regular ginger ale or look for small, sometimes local ginger ale brands–they’re very popular right now and can be super tasty)
- 3–4 limes
- Fresh mint sprigs
- Optional: 3 ounces (6 tablespoons) sparkling water, still water, limeade or lemonade, or vodka (if you want a traditional cocktail)
Instructions
- In the bottom of a copper mug*, combine 1 tablespoon lime juice with 3-4 torn mint leaves and, if desired, 1 1/2 ounces (3 tablespoons) water, apple juice, or vodka. Repeat with second mug. Fill each mug half full with crushed ice, then pour half of the bottle of ginger beer into each mug. Garnish with mint sprigs and a lime wedge and serve immediately.
Notes
- *You can make these in a regular cocktail glass or mason jars, but mules are traditionally served in copper mugs.
- Prep Time: 5
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
Questions & Reviews
Making this for a party and don’t want to make it when i serving the meal ….is it ok if i make it in advance?
Sadie:-)
You could for sure prep stuff in advance, but I wouldn’t add the ginger beer until the last minute.
Hope that helps!
You are so cruel….my favorite drink in the summer. One sounds soooo good right now
I have the mugs and vodka in the freezer, lime and ginger beer in the fridge….but my abundant mint plant I just left behind in my move. I guess I need a trip to the store..
darned sleeping pills…at least you shop instead of eat 🙂
Wouldn’t a butter beer be amazing in the copper mugs??!
Worried about the mugs now that I saw this news: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/food/wp/2017/08/08/heads-up-moscow-mule-lovers-that-copper-mug-could-be-poisoning-you/?hpid=hp_no-name_hp-in-the-news%3Apage%2Fin-the-news&utm_term=.12d9b0395d6b
If you are going for an actual cocktail, these are even better with Crabbies Alcoholic Ginger Beer!!
Or add bourbon and call it a “Kentucky Mule”. Delicious!!!
This looks awesome. Thanks for adding to your mocktail arsenal.
If you like spicy ginger beers, try to get your hands on some Blenheim brand! I cannot say enough nice things about that drink. They have a mild, a medium, & a spicy version, and they are all so, so good. Caveat: it’s hard to track down–I’ve found them in a specialty chi-chi grocery store where I live in Oregon, and each year I bite the bullet & order a case or two from their bottling facility in S Carolina for my husband’s birthday. If you like a good sip, this is totally worth the splurge. I’d say the flavor is comparable to Cock ‘n Bull, but a little more rounded.
An important step in using mint in cocktails is to “spank” the mint leaves. By slapping the mint you get the most out of your flavor and it warms the leaves. Plus it’s a wonderful conversation piece that makes you sound very sophisticated/Bougie!
I LOVE Moscow mules! Another good way to enjoy them is with ginger kombucha if you like that vinegary tang.
Sounds perfect for queasy pregnant women!
For sure!! That ginger is potent, haha!
Where did you get the cups from? I thought there might be a link but couldn’t find one.
It’s in there, but it’s easy to miss! Here you go! 🙂 https://www.amazon.com/Copper-Roze-Hammered-Unlined-Coasters/dp/B01N2APM4C/ref=as_li_ss_tl?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1501456655&sr=1-3-spons&keywords=copper+mugs&psc=1&linkCode=sl1&tag=oubebi-sm-20&linkId=74ed807ccb192580a269e8cfc2fd6dfc
Does the copper make the drinks taste metallichy or leave a metal taste on your lips?
Nope (well, super cheap cups might)! And I’m SUPER picky about that–I used to never drink from metal cups or bottles for that reason.