Spicy from the muddled fresh ginger and slightly tart from the lime – a Moscow Mule is great co*cktail to start your night with.
co*cktail making is quite the craft these days. It’s a balancing act between herbs, spices, fruit, spirits and carbonated liquids. The right balance and you have the perfect co*cktail that will really make your evening and can become your new signature drink. The wrong – well you might be down $10 or more dollars if you happened to be enjoying this drink out instead of at home.
In the past year I’ve come to love the art and craft of co*cktail making and enjoying a craft co*cktail when I’m out and about. There’s quite the renaissance these days, it’s no longer your standard Manhattan or Old Fashioned. Something is different about it and I like that.
Insert the new book The Best Craft co*cktails & Bartending with Flair by Jeremy LeBlanc, head mixologist of Altitude Sky Lounge. This book describes itself as ‘an incredible collection of extraordinary drinks’.
I don’t disagree, there are certainly a number of drinks I have never heard of or concoctions I would have never dreamt up.
This paperback book is divided into 7 chapters:
- The aperitif: To Open the Senses
- Classics With a Twist
- Exotic co*cktails
- Refreshers
- Parties & Punches
- Syrups, Mixes & Foams
- Tips & Tricks of the Trade
Each co*cktail is preceded with a small description of either the history and what to except in the flavor profile of the drink. About every third page is followed with a large, beautiful color photograph of the drink on the opposite page. I find co*cktails beautiful to photograph and some of the pictures really are stunning between layers in the drinks or fresh fruits and herbs.
The author is quite specific on what brand they prefer for each recipe, which is great if you own a bar but not such an easy task for your home. I happened to have the brand of bitters mentioned for my recipe but the choice of vodka in my moscow mule was what I had at home. Jeremy says his reasoning for being specific is because there are so many amazing small-batch spirits that he loves. What he lists is more of a guide to expanding your spirits profile.
Choosing what co*cktail to make wasn’t easy, there were a number of additional spirits needed that I didn’t have at home (I guess my bar isn’t as well stocked as I thought?). However it finally came down to a bourbon based drink in the Exotic co*cktail chapter or the Moscow Mule. Obviously you can see what won. I choose the moscow mule for a few reasons 1)I wanted to add a vodka-based drink here for you to enjoy and 2)I’ve seen versions of the moscow mule floating around recently as an ode to the Sochi Olympics and I really wanted to try it out!
Susan Palmer
Moscow Mule - Review The Best Craft co*cktails
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Ingredients
- 2 thin slices of ginger, plus 1 for garnish
- 3 cherries (the book recommends uxardo brand), plus 1 or 2 for garnish
- 2 dashes aromatic bitters
- 2oz vodka
- 1/4oz fresh lime juice
- 3oz ginger beer
Instructions
- In a dry tin shaker, muddle the two slices of ginger with cherries, bitters and vodka.
- You know you've muddled appropriately when ginger fills the nostril.
- Strain and pour into a well-chilled copper mug (or a rocks glass) half full of ice.
- Squeeze lime juice and top with ginger beer.
- Garnish with lime wheel, cherries and ginger.
- Makes 1 co*cktail.
Recipe Type: Beverage
Notes
Recipe printed with permission from The best Craft co*cktails & Bartending with Flair by Jeremy LeBlanc and Christine Dionese. Page Street Publishing Co. Copyright 2013.
https://girlinthelittleredkitchen.com/2014/02/moscow-mule-review-best-craft-co*cktails/
Susan Palmer - Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
Disclaimer: I was provided a copy of The Best Craft co*cktails. All opinions stated are my own, no compensation was provided. This post contains affiliate links – which means if you click the link and purchase something through Amazon I get a small percentage to help me with blog related costs.
FAQs
"It's refreshing and actually quenches your thirst. Just remember to drink in moderation and enjoy!" "Very good balance of sweet, sour, spicy (and boozy)," raves Cameron3. "Watch out though...they go down too easily!"
What does a Moscow Mule say about you? ›
Moscow Mule
If you're a mule drinker, you must be a Harry Styles fan. You pride yourself on your loyal qualities—which is a good thing. Unfortunately, mules symbolize stubbornness, and you've heard the saying: you are what you drink.
What vodka is best for a Moscow Mule? ›
What is the Best Vodka for Moscow Mules?
- You may like the slightly oily mouth feel of Absolut Vodka.
- Or, possibly the more crisp bite of Stolichnaya (Stoli)
- For a fuller flavor, try the potato-based Chopin Vodka.
Kentucky Mule vs Moscow Mule
A mule is a summer go-to. Mixing ginger beer, fresh lime and mint leaves, it's the ultimate mixer come sunny afternoons. The spirit of choice is what gives it a name. Traditional Moscow Mules are made with vodka, whilst a Kentucky Mule uses whisky for a warmer, spicier serve.
Is a Moscow Mule healthy? ›
A study published in the January/February issue of the Journal of Environmental Health found that copper leaches into the drink made of ginger beer, lime juice, and vodka. In a little under half an hour, the copper levels rise higher than the safety standard set for drinking water.
What alcohol goes with a Moscow Mule? ›
The simple co*cktail combines vodka with ginger beer and fresh lime juice. It's a no-tools-required drink that is built right in that shiny copper mug. Of course, while said mug is always preferred for serving, it's not essential and shouldn't deter you from making a Moscow Mule.
What is a Moscow Mule called now? ›
You can participate in this show of solidarity for Ukraine by drinking a Kyiv Mule, aka the Moscow Mule renamed.
Is Moscow Mule a male or female drink? ›
The Moscow Mule, like all co*cktails, does not have a gender. It is a beverage enjoyed by people of all genders and is not specifically associated with being a "male" or "female" drink. The idea of gendering drinks is a social construct and a stereotype that has been challenged in recent times.
What is the nickname for Moscow Mule? ›
You might also hear the Moscow Mule called a vodka buck.
Is titos vodka good for Moscow mules? ›
Tito's Handmade Vodka
A neutral spirit, Tito's Vodka is anything but bland. Pouring it over crushed ice, you'll unlock a delectable crispness that elevates your Moscow Mule to new heights.
If you like the idea of a Moscow Mule made with tequila instead of vodka, you can try a Mexican Mule (recipe courtesy of Difford's Guide), and if bourbon is more your style, there's also a Kentucky Mule (recipe by Liquor).
What ginger beer is best for a Moscow Mule? ›
1. Bundaberg Ginger Beer: The Aussie original, this brand has become more and more ubiquitous in recent years as the go-to option in most bars when you order a Moscow Mule. Made with cane sugar and Australian ginger, Bundaberg can attribute much of its popularity to the fact that its taste is extremely balance.
How do you spice up a Moscow Mule? ›
Here are the easy details. Use a co*cktail shaker or even just a glass jar with a lid (use what you have). Then shake together your favorite vodka, a squeeze of fresh lime, fresh grapefruit juice, a few jalapeño slices for the spice aspect, and grated ginger for a mule that's extra gingery.
Is a Moscow Mule a strong drink? ›
Moscow Mules taste spicy, sweet, and strong. The fizz of the ginger beer, the punch of the vodka, and the chilled copper mug combine to make an excellent co*cktail.
Why is Moscow Mule so good? ›
A great Moscow mule combines smooth vodka with ice-cold, spicy ginger beer and lime – in a signature copper mug. Ginger beer doesn't taste the same without the copper mug, which highlights the sweet-and-spicy taste of the beverage.
Is Moscow Mule a well drink? ›
What are common well drinks? Vodka soda, vodka cranberry screwdriver, Moscow mule, dirty Shirley, madras, kamikaze, gin and tonic, gin buck, gimlet, Cuba libre, daiquiri, mojito, dark and stormy, margarita, tequila sunrise, whiskey sour, whiskey and co*ke, and Long Island iced tea.
Why do people like Moscow Mules? ›
The fizziness of the carbonation in Moscow Mules is amplified by cold copper, making for pleasant sips and an aromatic smell. Many Moscow Mule drinkers also claim that the copper cup brings out the spicy ginger beer and citrus lime flavours even more.
How does a Moscow Mule taste? ›
What does Moscow Mule taste like? Moscow Mules taste spicy, sweet, and strong. The fizz of the ginger beer, the punch of the vodka, and the chilled copper mug combine to make an excellent co*cktail.
Is a Moscow Mule easy on the stomach? ›
Benefits of Drinking Moscow Mules
Ginger Beer: Ginger beer obviously has ginger, which has anti-inflammatory, anti-nausea, and digestive properties. Ginger can help relieve pain, nausea, indigestion, and bloating.
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