If you love moscow mules, you are going to love this seasonal fruity mule. My blueberry moscow mule recipe is easy to make, are a gorgeous color thanks to a simple ginger and blueberry syrup, and garnished with fresh berries and mint leaves. A drink that's perfect for summer sipping!
Mules are one of my favorite easy cocktails to make at home, especially because they're the perfect base to all the seasonal fruit I have the habit of buying a ton of. Hey, at least we are eating healthy!
We love blueberries so the moment they're in season, I've got blueberry recipes coming full force. I honestly can't wait until they're officially in season this time of year because I'm running BACK to the farms for them.
This cocktail recipe is ice-cold and refreshing (and stays that way thanks to the copper mug!), has spicy ginger beer, with a fruity twist and plenty of sweetness from the fresh blueberries and the blueberry simple syrup stirred in there.
You'll love how easy it is to make, and it's always a hit at any get together.
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What are Moscow Mules?
A traditional moscow mule cocktail is made of lime juice, vodka and ginger beer usually garnished with a lime wedge. It's served cold with ice and while it's perfect for hot weather, the strong ginger flavor makes it popular during the holidays, too. Because the recipe is so simple, the possibilities are endless in the different types of flavored moscow mule recipes there are.
It's traditionally served in copper cups, which helps keep the drink colder than a glass. Legend has it that the mug was used to distinguish the drink from other cocktails and to give it a distinctive look, which helped its popularity, I'm sure.
Origins of the Moscow Mule
The origin of the cocktail is a bit of a mystery, with several people claiming to have invented it.
The most commonly accepted story is that it was invented in 1941 by John G. Martin, the president of Heublein, a spirits company that imported Smirnoff vodka to the United States. Martin was looking for a way to market vodka to Americans, who were not yet familiar with the spirit.
He teamed up with Jack Morgan, the owner of the Cock 'n' Bull, a Hollywood restaurant, and Wes Price, the restaurant's head bartender, who was trying to use up the overflow of ginger beer they had in inventory.
Together, they created a cocktail made with vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice, served in a copper mug. It was an instantly classic cocktail, and it quickly became one of the most popular cocktails in the United States thanks to popular actors.
Equipment
Muddler - this little helper is great for any recipe that you'll need to smash fruit at the bottom of a glass.
Copper Mugs - a classic for mules, but a highball glass can be used instead.
Fine Mesh Sieve - this strainer is a must when making a flavored simple syrup, you've gotta strain the fruit out.
Ingredients
Full ingredients, measurements, and printable instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Fresh Lime Juice - Squeeze the lime juice yourself, the bottled stuff just doesn't taste the same!
- Ginger Beer - this is a bubbly non-alcoholic mixer that has a kick to it.
- Vodka - use your favorite vodka for this recipe. Tito's handmade vodka, Grey Goose, and Ketel One are all good choices.
- Fresh Mint - you can go for the classic lime wedge garnish instead, but I like the mint here.
- Ice Cubes
Ginger Blueberry Simple Syrup
- Fresh Blueberries - alternatively, you can also use frozen blueberries; but if the fresh fruit is in season, honey, take advantage.
- Slices of Fresh Ginger - I really like the flavor of fresh ginger with fruit and it almost amplifies the blueberry flavor in our syrup. So refreshing!
- Granulated Sugar and Water - granulated sugar has no flavor only sweetness, so nothing is altered.
How to Make Blueberry Mules
Making a blueberry simple syrup sounds really involved, but it's basically effortless. Simmer, strain, then add it to your fruity mule!
Make the Homemade Blueberry Ginger Syrup
Step 1 | Simmer the blueberries and ginger slices in the sugar and water until the blueberries burst and the syrup gains a deep purple color.
Step 2 | Strain the syrup through a mesh seive into a heat-safe container.
Make the Blueberry Moscow Mules
Step 1 | For those who don't want the smashed fruit in their glass, muddle the blueberries in a mixing glass then stir together with the syrup, fresh lime juice, and vodka. Strain into a frosty copper mug filled with ice and top with ginger beer. Or...
Step 1 | Muddle the fresh blueberries vigorously in your copper mug, add ice, then stir in the other ingredients. Garnish with mint, lime, and blueberries.
Variations and Substitutions
- If you prefer a tart flavor, try swapping out the blueberries for raspberries. Raspberries have a slightly sharper taste than blueberries, which can add a refreshing twist to your cocktail.
- Muddle the blueberries with herbs like mint or basil for fun, herbaceous twists.
- Try tequila in lieu of vodka, making this a 'Mexican Mule'. When making one, consider the how the type will alter the drink. A silver/blanco can provide a vibrant flavor, while a reposado or añejo tequila will add more depth and complexity.
How to Make it a Mocktail
The mocktail version is just as potent as the cocktail, without the booze. You can omit the vodka entirely (I prefer this whenever a little wants to have a 'fancy drink', too) or use a vodka spirit alternative to still maintain the flavor.
Pro Tips
Gently slap the mint leaves between your palms to release their oils before placing them on top of the cocktail. The aroma of the mint will complement the sweet and tangy flavors of the blueberries and lime, making for a well-balanced and delicious cocktail.
Chill your copper mule cups before making the cocktail. This helps the metal mug stay ice cold no matter how hot it is this summer.
Storage and Make Ahead
Prior to adding the ginger beer, you can have everything else made up to two days ahead, kept in a pitcher with a lid (if you're making a big batch!) or mason jar with lid in the fridge.
The blueberry simple syrup can be made a week ahead of time, kept in an airtight container in the fridge as well until serving.
When ready to serve, add the ginger beer to the made ahead mixture, give it a good stir, and serve over ice!
FAQs
The mug is a historic part of the Moscow Mule experience!
Firstly, copper's excellent thermal conductivity quickly chills the drink, ensuring it stays refreshingly cold.
Visually, it adds an elegant and eye-catching element to the presentation of your mule.
While not necessary, the copper mug contributes to the overall enjoyment and aesthetic of sipping on a Moscow Mule.
If you can not find ginger beer, ginger ale can be substituted. Just know that ginger ale is not as spicy, and is much sweeter than ginger beer.
More Delicious Cocktails
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Blueberry Moscow Mule
Ingredients
- ¼ cup fresh blueberries
- 4 ounces vodka
- 8 ounces ginger beer
- Juice of one lime
- Ice, for serving
- Mint sprigs, lime wedges, fresh blueberries, for serving
Blueberry Simple Syrup
- 3 tablespoon blueberries, fresh or frozen
- ½ inch knob of fresh ginger, optional
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup water
Instructions
- Blueberry Simple Syrup
- Place all simple syrup ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Stir and smash blueberries gently against the sides of the pan. Let simmer until all the sugar is dissolved.
- Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a heat-safe container with a lid.
- This keeps in the fridge for at least 2 weeks.
Moscow Mules- Muddle fresh blueberries in your copper mugs until they are thoroughly mashed.
- Add the vodka, ginger beer, lime juice, and blueberry simple syrup evenly into the cups over ice.
- Garnish with mint sprigs, a lime wedge, and fresh blueberries.
- Serve cold.
Recipe Notes
Make for a Crowd
This recipe is easily multiplied!Moscow Mule Mocktail
To make this into a mocktail, omit the vodka and add more ginger beer to fill each glass.Pro Tips
- Gently slap the mint leaves between your palms to release their oils before placing them on top of the cocktail. The aroma of the mint will complement the sweet and tangy flavors of the blueberries and lime, making for a well-balanced and delicious cocktail.
- Chill your copper mule cups before making the cocktail. This helps the metal mug stay ice cold no matter how hot it is this summer.
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