recipes

Last on our list is the Blueberry Moscow Blue. Instead of watermelon or strawberries, you will be using Blueberries. This one is a bit more complex than the other two. You have to prepare first the Blueberry shrub. It’s advisable to make it ahead of time.

When you watch videos on how to make Moscow mules, the cocktail would be presented with a sprig of mint leaves acting as a garnish only. Sure, it adds to the aesthetics but the thing is, mint is such a powerful ingredient and it should be in the cocktail, not just a mere decoration. And yes, the ginger beer may already be the “kick” factor in the drink but sometimes, you kind of get used to it and perhaps you want  something a little extra, and that’s what the mint is for.

This jazzed-up version of the Mule calls for the vodka but also works well with gin or tequila . In addition to our friends, ginger beer, and lime juice, this interpretation of the Mule requires the addition of some flavor-enhancing accouterments.

Much like the Kentucky Mule, this rendition of the Mexico Mule gets its name from the region’s native inebriant. Tequila  is made from the agave that is prevalent in Mexico, which has been harvested, crafted, and aged to create the signature liquor. As it turns out, tequila works quite nicely to mix up a Mule, and puts a refreshing twist on the traditional recipe. As always, the lime juice and high-quality ginger beer are the backbone of the drink but switch the vodka for some Camareña Family, Casamigos, Avion, or whatever brand you prefer.

You always know a party is going to be great when you arrive and see a tray of neon jello shots making the rounds. Jello shots  don’t have to be the Kool-Aid flavored abominations of your younger years, though. This recipe for Moscow Mule jello shots elevates the fun party attitude of classic jello shots to something dare I say… classy? And it does it without sacrificing any of the fun or alcoholic punch of the original recipe.

Vodka and gin are very similar, but juniper berries give gin its slightly floral flavor. Adding gin to a Moscow Mule adds a subtle herbal-floral note that is complemented by the ginger beer. I was skeptical the first time I had a gin mule . I thought the ginger beer would overpower the subtleties of gin. But, if anything, it amplifies it in a very pleasant way! Try any of the different types of gin for unexpectedly exciting flavor combinations (I’m partial to Hendrick’s cucumber notes and London dry gins).

If the Moscow Mule wasn’t familiar to you, you may recognize the name “Dark and Stormy.” It’s often billed on cocktail menus right beside its cousin. The Dark and Stormy is actually just another simple variation on the Moscow Mule. The Dark and Stormy combines ginger beer with the equally-tropical flavor of rum. The rum adds a bit of sweetness to the cocktail and mellows out the bright flavors, opting for a darker finish. The Dark and Stormy is an excellent (and popular) tropical deviation from the Moscow Mule.

Nothing can make an all-American classic like the Moscow Mule more all-American or more classic than America’s darling: bourbon! All true, great bourbons are born in Kentucky and bred from the finest American corn. Kentucky’s passion for distilling has blessed us with the finest liquors in the world. A good Kentucky bourbon  compliments ginger beer with vanilla notes and an extra-boozy kick.

This gingery cousin to the college-classic screwdriver is enough to drive away every bad memory you have of waking up hungover on a friend’s couch when you were an undergrad. The orange and ginger combo is delicious and refreshing any time of day. And it may be tempting, but this doesn’t mean you should pour yourself one of these for breakfast. Though if you do, I won’t tell.

If the floral notes of the hibiscus-berry mule aren’t your style, try this pomegranate variation instead. It’s just as bold and red but uses the tartness of pomegranate instead of floral hibiscus. This drink will make sure your friends don’t take your bartending for pome-granted (I’ll show myself out, hahaha!)