This Classic Cocktail Gets A Sweet Twist With Key Lime And A Can Of Ginger Ale

Nothing is better than the crisp blend of vodka, ginger beer, and a squeeze of lime chilled over crushed ice in a signature copper mug. Known as the Moscow mule since it hit the bar scene in the early 1940s, this sparkling cocktail has a bit of a fiery flavor, but you can sweeten the cocktail and make it even more delicious by substituting ginger ale for the traditionally spicier ginger beer and trying key limes in place of the classic variety. 

This delicious substitution works well, but keep in mind there will be some flavor differences. You're trading a brewed ginger beer for an un-brewed ginger ale. Still refreshing, ginger ale brings a simple, sweet flavor profile that's straightforward, smooth, and milder than the spice-forward ginger beer. Ginger ale has an added bonus of extra effervescence because ginger beer's bubbles come from the natural fermentation process, making it slightly less carbonated, whereas ginger ale gets an artificial boost of added carbonation. Make these swaps and you'll have a cocktail that's bubblier and sweeter than a customary Moscow mule, with a key lime flavor that brings a balanced acidity that the milder standard lime doesn't quite deliver.

The Moscow mule became a Hollywood hit sometime in the 1950s, though whether it got its start there or in New York remains a matter of debate. Legend has it that Smirnoff vodka was in a sales slump, so the brand's president and distribution executive met a ginger beer maker (who happened to be a Los Angeles bar owner) at a local bar to concoct a cocktail blend that would sell both products. A slightly different origin story adds another player, an entrepreneurial woman looking for new collaborative opportunities for selling her copper mugs. This iteration of the Moscow mule lore explains how the signature Moscow mule copper mug became a fixture with the cocktail. One more Moscow mule origin story has a head bartender cleaning out his supply cellar overage, and just like that, the Moscow mule was rolled out for consumers to fall in love with its charm.

However the tasty combination was launched, the Moscow mule has three indisputable core ingredients: vodka, ginger beer, and lime. From that starting place, you can go wild with variations. For a fun Moscow mule summer twist, try adding in seasonal fruits like strawberries or watermelon. For a spicier Moscow mule, incorporating muddled jalapeños could be the upgrade you're looking for. Recipe modifications are great, but consider sticking with at least one tradition: the solid-copper Moscow mule mug. It keeps your cocktail cool and tasting uniquely delicious.