So, you have recently bought or been given Moscow Mule mugs and want to know where to start. Your mugs look gorgeous and you are keen to try them out, but perhaps you are not sure where to start in order to get the best flavor out of your new mugs?
Or, maybe you have made your first Moscow Mules and they may not be quite what you expected. Too sweet, too dry, not enough zing?
Well, in this post we want to explain how to make the perfect Moscow Mule every time. But before we do, we need to clarify something: ‘what is the perfect Moscow Mule’ anyway?
Everyone has different taste preferences so what you think is perfect, may not be that great for your partner or your friends. You may like sweet and they may like dry, you may like strong and they may like weak. I know you get the picture.
Fortunately, The Moscow Mule is one of the easiest cocktails to modify to make sure it suits the preference of each person with very little effort. Below is the classic Moscow Mule recipe but read on first and you will find out how to personalize it to suit everyone.
Before we Discuss Preferences we first Need to Consider Quality!
Just like when cooking, the quality of the ingredients will make an enormous difference to the end result. Moscow Mules only have three ingredients so let’s look at each one.
The Vodka
Cheap vodka tastes ghastly and will make a huge difference to the end result of any cocktail. The impact of this is less noticeable if you like your drinks weak but it can totally ruin a cocktail if you like it strong.
Always buy the best quality vodka your budget allows within reason. You don’t have to go overboard and use something like Ciroc, but good tasting vodka is important. If you are not familiar with the different types of vodka available (there are dozens) ask at your local liquor stores for advice.
The Limes
This may sound minor but there is quite a different flavor between a fresh lime and one that is old. You have probably noticed at some point in your life the nasty smell that an old orange or lemon has, almost moldy. Well the same applies to limes.
When shopping for your limes, make sure that they are firm and are a good bright lime color, not dry or spongy.
The Ginger Beer
We left this for last because this is the ingredient where it isn’t so much about quality, it’s more about personal preference. There are numerous brands and they all taste quite a bit different so it is worth it to try several until you find the one that suits your personal taste.
Some people actually prefer to use ginger ale but purists frown on this. Who cares though, it should be about what you like, shouldn’t it?
A fun social activity is to have a few friends over as guinea pigs, if you can’t practice on your friends who can you practice on, right? Make some simple bar snacks (possible link to a post on bar snacks).
Buy several different brands of ginger beer and do taste tests of each one. You will get varying responses, find out your own personal preference and have a heap of fun in the process.
To help you get started with this we have done a review on 5 different brands of ginger beer: click here
The Ice
We mentioned that there were only three ingredients but it is worth mentioning the ice, just in case. This applies to all cocktails, not just Moscow Mules.
Most modern refrigerators give an endless supply of fresh ice but if you are one of those people that rarely use it, it can get an unpleasant taste. The same holds true if you use ice block trays, it can actually evaporate too. This can be due to a variety of reasons that are easy to identify.
If your ice has been there for a while and you have strong flavored food items stored in your freezer, the ice can absorb some of them and infuse your drinks with an unexpected and unpleasant taste. Also check when the filter on your icemaker was last changed, it may be overdue. If in doubt throw it out, wash your containers, change your filters if needed and make a fresh batch.
If you are using bagged ice make sure that it is solidly frozen. One of the best things about using authentic copper Moscow Mule mugs is that your drinks stay cold longer and the ice doesn’t dilute the flavors of the ingredients so you don’t want to ruin that by using half frozen ice.
Now that you know all the variables and have the knowledge to make a perfect cocktail it is time to have fun and enjoy your Moscow Mules. Remember, recipes aren’t cast in stone and the beauty of Moscow Mules is that each one is poured individually so it is super easy to personalize each one. Play around, have fun and enjoy this fabulous drink in good company.
Classic Moscow Mule
Ingredients:
- 1.5oz good
quality vodka - 0.5oz fresh lime juice
- 4oz ginger beer
- Plenty of Ice
Method:
- Pour vodka and lime juice into your mug
- Fill with ice and ginger beer
- Stir to combine
- Garnish with a slice of lime
One thing to remember. The thermal conductivity of copper keeps your drinks nice and frosty but that also means you will get condensation on the outside of your mugs. To protect your furniture always make sure you use drink coasters.
