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
