This Moscow mule mocktail recipe is based on the classic cocktail, but it’s made without the alcohol. Don’t worry, though; it’s still packed with flavor thanks to spicy ginger beer, lime juice, and a couple of special secret ingredients that really amp up the flavor. 👀
Making non-alcoholic drinks has quickly become one of my favorite things to do after over a decade of creating recipes! Thankfully, it’s becoming more posh to decline a happy hour beverage as zero-proof drinks, increase in popularity.
I love a traditional Moscow mule, but sometimes it’s nice to take a night off. 😅 This drink is the perfect choice for those times when you want an alcohol-free version of a classic drink. I also love creating seasonal variations of mocktails, like this festive mocktail recipe made with cranberries and ginger beer!
why this mule mocktail recipe works:
🤩 zero hangovers. Some days you want to enjoy a fun beverage, but you don’t want to worry about feeling sluggish the next day. Fresh, simple ingredients come together to create a delicious drink that is perfect for a hot day or even a cozy night in!
💥 packed with flavor. This isn’t your grandma’s mocktail— it actually has flavor that doesn’t make you think you’ll need a trip to the dentist to check for cavities afterward.
🥳 party perfect. This nonalcoholic mule is well suited for anyone, whether they’re abstaining from alcohol or not. As a bonus, it looks like the real deal, so you can serve these at a party alongside regular mules for guests who don’t feel like drinking!
🛒 ingredients
optional ingredient
See the recipe card for the exact quantities.
🍳 how to make virgin moscow mules
1: Fill a copper cup, or mule mug, with crushed ice and add 7-10 dashes of bitters.
2: Juice 1/2 a fresh lime to get 1/2 ounce of juice, and add it to the mule mug.
3: Add in the demerara simple syrup.
4: Using a dropper, add 3-5 drops of saline solution.
5: If you’re using an alcohol-alternative spirit, add that in next.
6: Give your drink a good mix with a cocktail spoon.
7: Top your drinks with ginger beer.
8: Garnish with a dehydrated lime wheel (or a fresh lime wedge) and a sprig of fresh mint leaves if you have them. Serve immediately.
💡tips & tricks for getting it right
🍽️ serving tips
- parties + happy hours – serve these mocktails at any event where a Moscow mule is also on the menu as an alternative option for guests! It’s also the perfect signature mocktail you can customize with seasonal ingredients like blood oranges or grapefruit flavor!
- dry January, dry July, + sober October – this is a great drink option if you’re participating in a month of zero-alcohol consumption, or if you’re serving drinks to someone who isn’t drinking!
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choose your glass
- mule mugs – traditional Moscow mules are served in a mule mug, which is a copper mug that holds anywhere from 16 – 20 ounces of liquid. The reason for this is murky, but there seem to be ties to the invention of the Moscow mule and an excess of copper mugs in L.A. in the 1940’s. Really. I’m serious! 🤣 If there’s one thing you can count on America for, it’s a commitment to popular culture, consumerism, and celebrity!
garnish
- lime wheels – lime is the classic garnish of choice for mule cocktails, but I love using these homemade dried lime wheels because they add a bit more character.
- fresh mint – a few sprigs of mint leaves are also a great garnish, even though there isn’t mint in the recipe.
ℹ️ troubleshooting tips
- not enough ginger flavor – all ginger beers are not created equal. If you want the characteristic kick or gingery bite of flavor, check the labels of your ginger beer to make sure it includes real ginger. You should also be able to see the ginger inside the bottle or when you pour it into a glass. Make sure you choose the variety with real ginger, not “natural flavor.”
- too sweet – if your drink is too sweet, you can add in a few extra drops of saline solution to balance things out.
- too tart – if your limes are too acidic, your mules might be extra tart. Add in some more simple syrup to balance out the acidity from the citrus.
♻️ customize your mule mocktails
- ginger ale vs. ginger beer – ginger ale and ginger beer are different by definition, but they get confused for each other quite a bit. Ginger ale tends to be higher in sugar, and doesn’t contain any real ginger. If you can’t find ginger beer, you can use ginger ale, but you might want to skip adding in simple syrup.
- key lime infused syrup – take care of adding two flavors at once by using this refreshing key lime simple syrup in place of regular simple syrup!
- fruity – add a few berries or slices of fruit into a cocktail shaker and give them a muddle. You can also use a fruity simple syrup and fruit juice to make a fruity mule mocktail. Try using cranberry juice, seen in this cranberry virgin mule cocktail, perfect for the holiday season!
🧰 equipment needed & storage tips
🫙 can you store mocktails?!
Since this drink is made with a carbonated mixer, it is best to enjoy it right after you make it.
If you do have to store your mocktail, or if you’re making a batch in advance of a party, make sure to store it in a pitcher or bottle that has an airtight lid.
Also be sure to use caution when taking the lid off, because carbonation can build up in the bottle!
💬 q+a
What are good brands of ginger beer to use in mules?
It all depends on what flavor you’re looking for. If you want the traditional spicy ginger bite, opt for brands that use real ginger like Betty Buzz or Fever Tree ginger beer. Bundaberg also uses real ginger. Brands like Q mixers use ginger extract, which yield a slightly mellower ginger flavor. Popular brands used in bars, like Goslings, often have no real ginger and use ginger flavoring instead! But, the best brand is the one YOU love, so it can take time to test a few brands at your local grocery store until you find your favorite.
What is the difference between ginger beer and ginger ale?
Ginger beer used to contain alcohol when it was first made, because it was made by fermenting ginger root. Nowadays, it’s all nonalcoholic. But authentic ginger beer has real ginger added to it and is bolder and spicier as a result. Ginger ale is usually just ginger flavored
Do I need to use a zero proof alcohol alternative in this mocktail?
Nope. You can use seltzer water or still water instead. I do find that the alcohol free spirits add an additional layer of flavor which is nice in these mocktails, though.
If you make this recipe, please leave a review in the comments and a star rating!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Moscow Mule Mocktail (Alcohol Free Virgin Moscow Mule)
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Equipment
- 1 Moscow mule mug
- 1 small measuring glass or jigger
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Seedlip Grove citrus zero-proof spirit optional, see notes
- ½ ounce lime juice fresh
- 5 drops saline solution
- 4 ounces ginger beer Betty Buzz, recommended
- ½ ounce demerara simple syrup
- 5-8 dashes alcohol-free aromatic bitters All The Bitter, recommended
- dehydrated lime wheels optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Prep glass. Fill a copper cup, or mule mug, with crushed ice.
- Add bitters. Add 5-8 dashes of bitters.5-8 dashes alcohol-free aromatic bitters
- Juice lime. Juice 1/2 a fresh lime to get 1/2 ounce of juice, and add it to the mule mug.1/2 ounce lime juice fresh
- Add syrup. Add in 1/2 ounce of demerara simple syrup.1/2 ounce demerara simple syrup
- Add saline solution. Using a dropper, add 3-5 drops of saline solution.5 drops saline solution
- Pour in alcohol alternative. Add in the alcohol alternative spirit if you’re using it.2 ounces Seedlip Grove citrus zero-proof spirit
- Top with ginger beer. Fill the rest of your glass with ginger beer, to the top!4 ounces ginger beer
- Mix well. Give your drink a good mix with a cocktail spoon.
- Garnish + serve. Garnish with a dehydrated lime wheel (or a fresh lime wedge) and a sprig of fresh mint leaves if you have them. Serve immediately.dehydrated lime wheels
Notes
ℹ️ troubleshooting tips
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- no alcohol alternative spirit – you can use sparkling water, lightly infused herbal tea, or even more ginger beer to replace the alcohol alternative spirit!
- too sweet – if your drink is too sweet, you can add in a few extra drops of saline solution to balance things out.
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- too tart – if your limes are too acidic, your mules might be extra tart. Add in some more simple syrup to balance out the acidity from the citrus.
