Still Got the Kick: A Moscow Mule Mocktail in the Copper Mug
A Moscow mule is one of those drinks people order just as much for the copper mug as for what’s inside it — and honestly, I don’t blame them. The spicy ginger beer and bright lime make it one of the most refreshing things you can hand someone on a hot day, mug or no mug.
If you’re skipping the vodka because you’re pregnant, in recovery, underage, the one driving tonight, or simply not in the mood, there’s no need to explain yourself here. This version still delivers all that spicy, fizzy kick, just without the alcohol doing any of the heavy lifting — turns out it wasn’t doing much anyway.
I make this in big batches for backyard get-togethers regardless of who’s drinking, because by the time everyone’s had one, half the guests are asking for the “virgin” version anyway. Copper mugs optional, but highly recommended.
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Looking for more easy, crowd-friendly sips? Check out our full lineup of mocktail recipes.
Why You Won’t Miss the Vodka
Across every classic recipe we looked at, the consensus was the same: vodka is almost flavorless, and the whole personality of a Moscow Mule comes from the ginger beer’s spice and the lime’s tartness.
The one thing vodka does add is a little dilution and a faint warming bite — easy enough to replace with a splash of club soda and, if you want that extra edge, a touch of apple cider vinegar.
Equipment You Will Need
- A copper mug (or any tall glass/highball if you don’t have one)
- A jigger
- A citrus juicer
Moscow Mule Mocktail
A spicy, refreshing, completely alcohol-free version of the classic ginger-lime cocktail.
- Total Time: 3 minutes
Ingredients
1/2 oz fresh lime juice
4 oz spicy ginger beer (not ginger ale)
1–2 oz club soda, to taste
1 lime wheel, for garnish
1 mint sprig, for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a copper mug with ice.
- Add the lime juice.
- Top with the ginger beer and club soda.
- Stir gently — just enough to combine without losing the fizz — and garnish with a lime wheel and mint sprig.
Notes
- Look for a ginger beer with real ginger and a good spicy kick (Fever-Tree, Reed’s, and Gosling’s are all solid choices) — it’s doing all the flavor work here.
- This is also great muddled with a slice of fresh ginger or a few mint leaves in the bottom of the mug before adding ice.
- Prep Time: 3 minutes
A Few Notes on Substitutions
- No real “substitute” needed for the vodka — it’s simply left out, with club soda added back in to replace the volume and slight dilution it used to provide.
- For that little warming bite, a small splash (about 1/4 teaspoon) of apple cider vinegar is a trick several mocktail developers use — it’s technically a byproduct of fermentation, so it mimics that faint sting in a way pure juice can’t.
- Ginger ale will work in a pinch, but it’s sweeter and much milder — ginger beer is what gives this drink its signature spice.
Pairs beautifully with our Watermelon Mint Cooler Mocktail for a hot-weather drink table; Explore our full-strength Moscow Mule, or take a twist with the Irish Mule with a splash of whiskey
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