With its combination of spicy ginger beer, smooth vodka, and tart lime, the Moscow Mule is an almost perfect gateway into the cocktail world. They’re as easy to drink as they are to make, and come with an excellent origin story.
Back in the 1940s, Wes Price had a problem. As bar manager of the Chatham Hotel in New York, a few ordering gaffes meant that he had a basement full to the brim with excess product. Desperate to clear out space, he found a way to mix what was most overstocked: Vodka and ginger beer. And as luck had it, there were cases of copper mugs down there, too.
And so the Moscow Mule was born. In my career as a bartender, I must have made a few thousand of them. So please, allow me to share the best vodkas for making a Moscow Mule with you, as well as links to my favorite copper mugs to accompany the drink.
Reyka Small Batch Icelandic Vodka
Even though it’s more often associated with Russia, when I think of vodka, I think of Iceland. The remote country is so unlike anywhere else in the world — clean, clear, and sometimes awe inspiring.
And in a lot of ways that’s what Reyka vodka is like, too. The water used to dilute their spirit to its final proof comes from a glacial spring that runs through a 4,000 year old lava field. Those same lava rocks are used for filtration, too, giving this wheat and barley distillate a creamy, smooth finish. It’s ridiculously good paired with a super spicy ginger beer.
Hangar 1 Straight Vodka
California-based Hangar 1 vodka is something of an anomaly in the vodka world, as it’s distilled from both grapes and grains. The reasoning of their Master Distiller is sound, though: Grapes give it a uniquely Californian taste, while the grains maintain an easygoing balance. Overall, this gives Hangar 1 a fresh and floral nose that asserts itself well in cocktails. Try using a mild ginger beer to really accentuate the naturally delicious flavor of this vodka.
Double Cross Vodka
Two Slovakian ingredients come together to create the multi-award-winning Double Cross Vodka: Fine winter wheat, and pure spring water from high in the Tatra mountains. The two are fermented together, then distilled and filtered seven times to create a vodka of unparalleled smoothness and character. Double Cross is absolutely delicious enough to drink neat, but when used in a cocktail, it lends a full, rounded character to every other ingredient.
Absolut Watermelon Vodka
And now for something completely different: A flavored vodka that doesn’t taste like someone melted Jolly Ranchers into it. Forget the flavored vodkas of your college days; Absolut Watermelon is nothing like them. It’s flavored only with natural ingredients, and has no added sugar—allowing the true watermelon taste to shine through. When summer hits its peak, this is the first bottle I reach for to make Moscow Mules.
Broken Shed New Zealand Vodka
Broken Shed is like New Zealand in a bottle: Quirky and eccentric, but environmentally friendly and really quite nice. That’s because it’s made from an uncommon source, whey distillate. Yes, like the whey you get from milk. Combined with their super clean New Zealand spring water, this gives Broken Shed a creamy, subtly sweet finish. Pair it with the spiciest ginger beer you can find, and you’ll have a uniquely delicious cocktail.
Ketel One Botanical Cucumber and Mint Vodka
Take the best parts of gin—its complexity and balance of flavors and aromas—then remove the overpowering juniper. What do you have? Something very similar to Ketel One’s Botanicals lineup. Carefully selected herbs, spices, and fruits make their way into Ketel One’s award-winning spirit, lending a depth of flavor that puts it in a category all its own. For a Moscow Mule, go for the Cucumber and Mint infusion. It’s a perfect partner to ginger beer’s spice, and a wonderfully refreshing drink on a hot summer’s day.
Snow Leopard Vodka
You could drink just about any vodka and put money in its maker’s pockets. But what if your cocktails could have a bigger purpose than catching a buzz? What if—and hear me out here—you could drink your way to saving endangered snow leopards? A full 15 percent of Snow Leopard vodka’s profits go to conservation efforts, including improving the lives of mountain herders who help keep the big cats safe. Oh, and it’s delicious, too. So drink up, and save these goofballs while there’s still time.
Stolichnaya Premium Vodka
Many a vodka brand has come and gone, its star rising and fading with the tides of drinking culture. Stolichnaya stands out from this crowd, with a 65-year history that’s studded with awards and medals all the way through. The spirit’s gentle wheat flavor and classically soft aroma make it a favorite for drinking on the rocks, but it’s equally delicious in a cocktail. If you’re looking for one bottle to make multiple types of cocktails with, Stoli is an excellent choice.
Haku Japanese Vodka
The house of Suntory is better known for their masterful Japanese whiskys — but don’t sleep on Haku, the newest addition to their spirits lineup. It’s made from Japanese white rice in a process that includes one more step than traditional vodkas: The addition of koji spores to ferment the rice. This has the effect of giving the spirit a notable umami undertone, setting it worlds apart from the flavor of other vodkas. Sweet and savory blend in equal parts on Haku’s finish, making it a wonderful complement to the intensity of ginger beer in a Moscow Mule.
Tito’s Handmade Vodka
Made by a guy and his dogs in Texas, Tito’s Handmade vodka bills itself as “America’s original craft vodka.” And thanks to the use of yellow corn rather than potatoes or wheat, it has a signature flavor that is a real love it or hate it situation. Fans of Tito’s won’t take any substitute, but first timers might be surprised at how much flavor it has for a vodka. Either way, it’s made for mixing—and the Moscow Mule is a prime candidate to show off Tito’s best side.
Grey Goose Vodka
French-made Grey Goose vodka has been the face of premium vodka in the United States for decades. But as the years go by, the price has continued to get more and more reasonable—making it an excellent choice for mixing up top quality cocktails. The soft winter wheat used in its production, combined with French spring water and multiple distillations, make it truly close to being odorless and flavorless. An excellent choice to serve people who “don’t like cocktails.”
Chopin Potato Vodka
The Polish composer and pianist Frédéric Chopin was known for the incredible dedication he put into refining his musical techniques. In much the same way, Polish-born Chopin potato vodka is true to its namesake. The boutique, family-owned distillery still makes vodka in the old fashioned way, with every ingredient sourced a mere 18 miles away from the distillery. As a result, this is easily one of the most flavorful vodkas on the market, with an earthy taste and full body that pair with a long, clean finish.
SVEDKA Vodka
One of the most accessibly priced vodkas for mixed drinks, Svedka is a clean and crisp spirit hailing from Sweden. It has all the markings of a much more expensive spirit though—winter wheat and spring water as its sole ingredients, five times through a distillation chamber, and a final charcoal filtering for clarity. If you’re looking for a bottle that can provide Mules for an entire party without breaking the bank, Svedka is an excellent option.
Luksusowa Potato Vodka
Using potatoes rather than wheat is a Polish vodka tradition, and one that separates the flavor of Polish vodkas from those in the rest of the world. And among potato vodkas, Luksusowa is the most affordable entry point. Its three distillations still give it plenty of oily body and a hint of fruity aromas, and charcoal filtering ensures that it finishes clean and smooth. Just like the vodka listed above, Luksusowa is accessible enough to make drinks for an entire party.
Monopolowa Vodka
And one more potato vodka to round things out. Monopolowa is a middle ground between Luksusowa and Chopin, but it has a character all its own. That’s because it uses a totally different variety of potatoes—kind of like the difference between a cabernet and a pinot noir. Still very affordable, Monopolowa’s flavor is crystal clear and just as good on the rocks as it is in a cocktail.
The Best Mugs For A Moscow Mule
Cocktail Kingdom Moscow Mule Mug
If you’re going to make a true Moscow Mule, it’s gotta be in a copper mug. This isn’t just for looks, though—copper is a great conductor of heat, meaning that a Mule made in a copper mug gets colder faster than in glass. And the Moscow Mule mug from Cocktail Kingdom is the real deal, designed to look nearly identical to the originals and made with thick metal walls. It’s the serving vessel of choice for fancy cocktail bars around the U.S.
Libbey Hammered Copper Moscow Mule Mugs
If the price of Cocktail Kingdom’s Mule mugs made you wince, there’s a great alternative: This four pack of vintage-inspired mugs from Libbey. For the price, they’re still made of a decently heavy grade of metal, ensuring their ability to chill your Mules in record time. But the old school hammered copper look is the real draw—and will get even the simplest weeknight cocktails looking Instagram ready.
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