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Long, hot summer days are the perfect backdrop for refreshingly cool cocktails. And since summer is bursting with fresh fruits and produce – it’s the perfect recipe to make some great cocktails.
With fresh lime and mint, it’s hard to beat an ice-cold Moscow Mule served in a copper mug on a hot summer day.
The basic recipe for a Moscow Mule couldn’t be easier:4 oz ginger beer2 oz vodka1 oz lime juice (about ½ of a fresh-juiced lime)Garnish – fresh mint and lime
Fill a copper mug with ice. Add your vodka. Add lime juice, ginger beer and carefully stir. Add fresh mint and a slice of lime for garnish. (Serving size – 1.)
Why copper?Copper is an excellent conductive metal, making it the perfect vessel for a cool summertime drink. A copper mug will quickly take on the icy temperature of the cocktail, causing condensation to collect on the outside of the cold metal. The result is an extra-cool sensation – creating the perfect summer refreshment.
With such an easy base recipe – the Moscow Mule is perfect for experimentation to create fresh seasonal favorites. With a vodka base and the plethora of flavored vodkas (blueberry, vanilla, apple, watermelon, mango, etc.) available – the only limitation is imagination.
Here are six new twists to try for that perfect summer beverage! (All recipes are serving size 1. To make more, simply double the recipes – or quadruple for a small pitcher of drinks.)
Peach Mule
4 oz ginger beer2 oz peach-flavored vodka1/2 of a lime, juiced1 fresh peach, peeled and sliced1-2 sprigs fresh mint (plus more for garnish if desired)Garnish – fresh mint, lime and peach
Place 1-2 sprigs of mint and ½ of the peeled peach in the bottom of a mug. Smash or muddle the peach and mint to combine flavors. Add 3-4 ice cubes.
Pour vodka over ice, then add lime juice, ginger beer and carefully stir. Top up with ice as desired. Add fresh mint, sliced peaches and lime for garnish.
Raspberry Mule
4 oz ginger beer2 oz raspberry-flavored vodka1/2 of a lime, juiced½ cup fresh raspberries1-2 sprigs fresh mint (plus more for garnish if desired)Garnish – fresh mint, lime and extra raspberries
Place 1-2 sprigs of mint and the ½ cup raspberries in the bottom of a mug. Smash or muddle the berries and mint to combine flavors. Add 3-4 ice cubes.
Pour vodka over ice, then add lime juice, ginger beer and carefully stir. Top up with ice as desired. Add fresh mint, extra raspberries and lime for garnish.
Cherry Mule
4 oz ginger beer2 oz cherry-flavored vodka1/2 of a lime, juicedMaraschino cherries (+1/2 tsp. Maraschino cherry juice)1-2 sprigs fresh mint (plus more for garnish if desired)Garnish – fresh mint, lime and extra Maraschino cherries
Fill a copper mug with ice. Add cherry vodka. Add lime juice, ginger beer and carefully stir. Add fresh mint, 3-4 cherries and lime for garnish.
Blueberry Mule (I first tried a blueberry mule in Austin, Texas. It’s been a favorite ever since!)4 oz ginger beer2 oz blueberry-flavored vodka1/2 of a lime, juiced¼ cup fresh blueberries1-2 sprigs fresh mint (plus more for garnish if desired)Garnish – fresh mint, lime and extra blueberries
Place 1-2 sprigs of mint and the ¼ cup blueberries in the bottom of a mug. Smash or muddle the berries and mint to combine flavors. Add 3-4 ice cubes.
Pour vodka over ice, then add lime juice, ginger beer and carefully stir. Top up with ice as desired. Add fresh mint, extra blueberries and lime for garnish.
Watermelon Mule (Plan ahead and freeze 1-inch cubes of watermelon to substitute for ice cubes!)4 oz ginger beer2 oz watermelon-flavored vodka1/2 of a lime, juiced3 – 4 cubes fresh watermelon (½ -1 inch sized cubes)1-2 sprigs fresh mint (plus more for garnish if desired)Garnish – fresh mint, lime and extra watermelon slices
Place 1-2 sprigs of mint and the 3-4 cubes fresh melon in the bottom of a mug. Smash or muddle the melon and mint to combine flavors. Add 3-4 ice cubes (or frozen watermelon cubes).
Pour vodka over ice, then add lime juice, ginger beer and carefully stir. Top up with ice as desired. Add fresh mint, extra melon slices and lime for garnish.
Pineapple Mule (If you’ve got the grill fired up, toss 3-4 pineapples rings on the grill to char, 30 seconds to a minute on each side. The smokiness of the charred fruit blends beautifully with the sweetness.)4 oz ginger beer2 oz watermelon-flavored vodka1/2 of a lime, juiced1 pineapple ring (fresh or canned)1-2 sprigs fresh mint (plus more for garnish if desired)Garnish – fresh mint, lime and extra pineapple rings/slices. Fresh pineapple looks best for garnish.)
Place 1-2 sprigs of mint and pineapple ring in the bottom of a mug. Smash or muddle the pineapple and mint to combine flavors. Add 3-4 ice cubes.
Pour vodka over ice, then add lime juice, ginger beer and carefully stir. Top up with ice as desired. Add fresh mint, extra pineapple slices and lime for garnish.
No matter if you stick to the basic Mule recipe, or freshen it up with any of these new twists – you are in for a summertime treat!
