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.
🍳 instructions
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 Virgin Moscow Mules 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.
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💡tips & tricks for getting it right
🍽️ serving tips
- This non-alcoholic beverage is perfect for serving at any event you’d normally serve alcoholic cocktails at.
- It’s also perfect for having as a zero-proof option for those who choose not to indulge in alcohol.
choose your glass
- 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 and celebrity!
- You can use any glass you like that has at least a 16 ounce capacity. A highball glass or double rocks glass will do!
garnish
- 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.
- You can also garnish with a few sprigs of fresh mint if you have it.
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. I love using Betty Buzz ginger beer because it’s got great ginger flavor without a ton of sugar. Fever tree makes a great ginger beer too, but 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.
- salty – do NOT add in salt instead of using a saline solution. This will lead your drink to be way too salty, and maybe even have granules of salt.
⚖️ scaling tips
It’s easy to scale this mocktail up for a crowd! Simply make as many servings as you need in a pitcher and you’re ready for any party!
Since the ginger beer is effervescent, you’ll want to be sure to mix it up right before you’re serving it.
🔆 top tip
No zero-proof alcohol on hand? No problem! You can omit the spiritless liquid and replace it with sparkling water, or even still water. You can also add in more ginger beer instead.
♻️ substitutions & variations
Missing an ingredient? No problem. Check out these tried-and-true substitutions, or comment below with your question. I’m here to help you troubleshoot!
- ginger ale – 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 simple 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 this mule mocktail?!
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 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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Alcohol Free Moscow Mule Mocktail (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 Bitters, recommended
- dehydrated lime wheels optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a copper cup, or mule mug, with crushed ice.
- Add 5-8 dashes of bitters.
- Juice 1/2 a fresh lime to get 1/2 ounce of juice, and add it to the mule mug.
- Add in 1/2 ounce of demerara simple syrup.
- Using a dropper, add 3-5 drops of saline solution.
- Add in the alcohol alternative spirit if you’re using it.
- Give your drink a good mix with a cocktail spoon.
- Garnish with a dehydrated lime wheel (or a fresh lime wedge) and a sprig of fresh mint leaves if you have them. Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition Information
The information provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition facts calculator and actual nutrition facts may vary.
