A Moscow mule is a cocktail of vodka, ginger beer and fresh lime juice, served over ice in a copper mug. It takes about two minutes to make and needs no shaker. Below is the recipe, the reasoning behind each part, and how to pick up what you need from CBC Liquors on Littleton Rd in Westford.
What is a Moscow mule?
A Moscow mule is a highball built from three ingredients: vodka, ginger beer and lime. It is served cold over plenty of ice, usually in a copper mug, with a lime wedge on the rim. The flavor is sharp, spicy and fresh rather than sweet.
The drink dates to the United States in the early 1940s, when vodka was still new to most American bars. The name is a joke more than a geography lesson: nothing about the recipe comes from Moscow, and the "mule" refers to the kick of the ginger.
Because the recipe is so short, every ingredient shows. A neutral, clean vodka lets the ginger and lime come through, and fresh lime juice makes a bigger difference than most people expect.
What goes in a Moscow mule, and how much of each?
A standard build is 2 ounces of vodka, half an ounce of fresh lime juice and about 4 to 6 ounces of ginger beer. Fill the mug or glass with ice first, then add the vodka and lime juice, top with ginger beer and give it one gentle stir.
Pour the ginger beer last and slowly so it keeps its fizz. Stirring hard, or shaking the drink, flattens the bubbles and leaves you with a limp mule. A lime wedge squeezed over the top and dropped in finishes it.
If you like the drink drier and sharper, use less ginger beer and a little more lime. If you prefer it softer, add a bit more ginger beer. The 2 ounce base keeps the drink in balance either way, and a single mule is a measured serving rather than something to rush.
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Which vodka works best in a Moscow mule?
Choose a vodka you would be happy to drink on its own, but you do not need anything elaborate. The ginger and lime will cover subtle details, so a smooth, clean bottle is the right fit.
At CBC Liquors, Tito's Vodka and New Amsterdam Vodka are both in stock now. Both are made to be mixed, which is exactly what a mule asks for. If you want to see the rest of the shelf, the vodka category lists everything we carry under that heading.
Flavored vodkas can work too. A citrus or ginger-leaning bottle suits the drink, while sweeter dessert flavors tend to fight the ginger. When in doubt, plain vodka keeps the mule tasting like a mule.
Ginger beer or ginger ale: does it matter?
It matters a lot. Ginger beer is brewed or flavored to be strongly gingery, with a spicy bite and often a little cloudiness. Ginger ale is lighter and sweeter, closer to a soft drink with a hint of ginger.
A Moscow mule made with ginger ale will taste mild and a bit sugary. Ginger beer gives the drink its heat and the dry, peppery finish that defines it. Despite the name, the usual ginger beer sold for mixing is not an alcoholic beer.
The mixers category is the place to look for what you need, and each product page shows what is in stock. If you are not sure which bottle will suit your taste, call the shop or ask at the counter and we will point you in the right direction.
Why is a Moscow mule served in a copper mug?
The copper mug is partly history and partly practical. It became the signature of the drink in its early marketing, and the look stuck. Copper conducts temperature quickly, so a mug filled with ice feels very cold in the hand and keeps the first sips crisp.
You do not need copper to make a good mule. A tall glass filled with ice works fine, and the drink will taste the same. If you do use copper, make sure the mug is lined with another metal or is made for drinks that include acidic ingredients like lime juice, and follow the maker's care instructions.
Whatever you serve it in, pack the vessel with ice. Plenty of ice keeps the drink cold longer and slows dilution, which is what keeps the last sip as good as the first.
What other kinds of mule can you make?
Once you know the pattern, spirit plus ginger beer plus lime, you can swap the base. The result has its own name each time, but the method does not change.
A Kentucky mule uses bourbon, which brings vanilla and caramel notes that work well with ginger. A Mexican mule uses tequila, which pairs with lime almost by instinct. A gin mule, sometimes called a London mule, uses gin and adds a botanical edge.
A rum version is another easy swap. Captain Morgan Spiced Rum is in stock now and brings warm spice that sits comfortably next to ginger. Look under rum for the wider choice, and whiskey if you want to try a rye or Irish whiskey mule.
How do you make Moscow mules for a group?
Mules suit a crowd because there is no shaking or straining. Set out a bucket of ice, a bottle of vodka, a jug or small bowl of fresh lime juice, chilled ginger beer and a stack of mugs or tall glasses, and let guests build their own.
A useful rule is to keep the ginger beer cold and unopened until it is needed, since an open bottle loses its fizz within an hour or so. Squeeze limes ahead of time, but only on the day, because lime juice dulls as it sits.
For bigger plans, the party planner is a good place to start. It helps you work out what to put together for a gathering, and you can pair the mules with other drinks for guests who want something different, like beer, wine or ready-to-drink options.
Where can you get what you need in Westford?
CBC Liquors is at 142 Littleton Rd, Westford, MA 01886. We are open Sunday 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Monday through Thursday 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Pickup runs on the same hours.
If you would rather not make the trip, we also offer delivery and shipping. Delivery hours are Sunday 10:00 AM to 7:30 PM, Monday through Thursday 10:00 AM to 8:30 PM, and Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM to 9:30 PM. You can see the areas we serve on the delivery areas page.
We serve customers around Westford, including Chelmsford, Acton and Littleton, as well as Carlisle, Tyngsborough, Lowell, Billerica, Boxborough and Dunstable. With 4,586 products in stock across 108 categories, you can look up the vodka, rum, bourbon or mixers for your mule on our site before you come in.
Common questions
What is in a Moscow mule?
A Moscow mule is made with vodka, ginger beer and fresh lime juice, served over ice, usually in a copper mug with a lime wedge.
How much vodka goes in a Moscow mule?
A standard serving uses 2 ounces of vodka, half an ounce of lime juice and 4 to 6 ounces of ginger beer.
Is ginger beer alcoholic?
The ginger beer used for mixing is generally a non-alcoholic soft drink with a strong ginger flavor. Check the label on the bottle you choose.
Can you make a Moscow mule without a copper mug?
Yes. A tall glass filled with ice makes the same drink. The copper mug is a tradition that keeps the drink very cold, not a requirement.
Can you make a mule with bourbon, tequila or rum?
Yes. Swapping the vodka for bourbon gives a Kentucky mule, tequila gives a Mexican mule, and gin or rum make their own versions with the same ginger beer and lime.
Does CBC Liquors offer pickup and delivery?
Yes. CBC Liquors offers pickup, delivery and shipping. Pickup follows store hours, and delivery has its own hours listed on our delivery areas page.
