Raspberry Moscow Mule

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This fruity raspberry moscow mule is a refreshing summer cocktail that is easy to make. Made with homemade raspberry simple syrup, vodka, lime juice and then topped with fizzy ginger beer.

There are lots of creative moscow mule variations you can make, such as this cranberry mule. 

This raspberry moscow mule uses raspberry simple syrup for a powerful raspberry flavor. For other raspberry cocktails, try this raspberry martini or this bourbon raspberry cocktail.  

For other vodka based drinks, try this madras cocktail, this grapefruit crush or these watermelon shooters.

Recipe Highlights

• This raspberry moscow mule is a fruity (but not overly sweet) spin on the classic cocktail.
• The homemade raspberry simple syrup adds a lot more raspberry flavor than versions of this drink that use muddled raspberries.
• This is a light & refreshing cocktail perfect for a summer evening.
• It makes a great mocktail for those who want a nonalcoholic version.

Ingredients

• Raspberries: Use fresh or frozen raspberries. The raspberries are used to make the syrup which adds flavor and sweetens the mule drink.
• Sugar: For this simple syrup, granulated sugar — rather than brown sugar— works best.
• Vodka: Use your favorite type of vodka. If you have it, you can use flavored vodka, but it is not necessary.
• Lime Juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice always tastes best in cocktails. But if needed, you can use bottled lime juice.
• Ginger Beer: All classic moscow mules have ginger beer. This adds fizz and a slight ginger flavor.

Equipment

• A small pan for making the simple syrup.
• A fine mesh strainer for separating out raspberry chunks from the syrup.
• A cocktail ice cube tray for making ice cubes.
• Copper mugs to serve the raspberry mule in.
• A cocktail spoon to stir the drink together.
• A glass jar to store any leftover raspberry syrup.

Instructions

Step 1: First make the raspberry simple syrup. Add the raspberries, sugar and water to a small saucepan and heat on medium heat, stirring occasionally. Bring to a very gentle simmer and continue to simmer for 5 to 10 minutes until the sugar has completely dissolved.

Step 2: Pass the raspberry syrup through a fine mesh strainer to remove the leftover raspberry chunks. Let the syrup cool for 5 minutes before using it in your moscow mule.

Step 3: Add the raspberry simple syrup, vodka and lime juice to a copper mug filled with ice. Stir with a cocktail spoon to mix the ingredients together.

Step 4: Top with ginger beer and serve immediately.

Storing the Syrup

This recipe will make extra raspberry simple syrup. It is difficult to make the syrup in small enough quantities for a single drink without burning it.

Store leftover raspberry syrup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

Expert Tips

• Ginger beer and ginger ale are not the same thing. Although they sound similar, these two drinks are not the same and are not a substitute for one another. Make sure you are using ginger beer for this raspberry moscow mule.
• Don’t boil the raspberry syrup. The syrup should come to a very gentle simmer. Anything more than that and it will be too thick.
• The syrup should have an almost liquid-like consistency. The raspberry syrup for this mule drink should seem like it is very liquidy. If it is thicker than this, you likely heated it for too long or at too high a temperature. Add it back to the pan on low heat and add 1 to 2 teaspoons of water at a time until it loosens up.
• 1 ginger beer will make about 2 drinks. Ginger beer is often sold in 8 oz  bottles. Therefore, one ginger beer will make two raspberry moscow mules. Consider making two drinks at a time so the rest of the ginger beer doesn’t go to waste.
• Garnish your drink. Ideas for garnishes include fresh or frozen raspberries, a sprig of mint or a lime slice.

Variations

• Non-Alcoholic Version: For a raspberry mule mocktail, leave out the vodka. Make sure the ginger beer you are using is completely alcohol free. Some brands have a very small quantity of alcohol in them.
• Ginger Beer Free Version: If you don’t have ginger beer or don’t like the taste of it, substitute it with lemon-lime soda instead for a more citrusy drink.
• Low Calorie Version: Replace the regular ginger beer with a diet ginger beer. This may slightly alter the taste.
• Moscow Mule Variations: Try one of these creative moscow mule drink recipes for other great moscow mule flavors.

FAQ

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