Though there is really only one true way to make a Moscow Mule, the core ingredient of ginger beer allows for a huge amount of variation in the finished co*cktail.
With the increasing popularity of the Moscow Mule across America, a slew of new brands have come to market, giving you more options than ever when it comes to put a distinctive spin on your creations. Featuring everything from the downright spicy, to the delightfully sweet, here are some of our favorite picks for the best ginger beers out there right now.
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. It’s sweet, but not overly so, and it has the pepperiness of ginger without really being ‘spicy’ per-se. A great entry point for someone looking to try their first ginger beer.
2.Reed’s Ginger Beer:A ‘craft’ soda before there was even a name for it, Reed’s Ginger Beer uses fresh whole ginger root and takes its inspiration from a recipe dating back to the 1780’s. Sweetened with a combination of cane sugar, honey, and pineapple juice, this brew doesn’t feel overly sweetened, especially not with 17 grams of ginger root in each bottle creating a deep, spicy flavor. If their original recipe isn’t to your taste, they even have Reed’s Extra Ginger Beer, and Reed’s Stronger Ginger Beer, each with a respectively larger ginger kick.
3.Q Ginger Beer:This is an interesting option because they advertise it purely as a mixer. This isn’t a ginger beer that’s meant to be sipped solo on a hot day. It is not very sweet, much more spicy, and carbonated to a level that you might call ‘fiery’ on the tongue. It’s the perfect option for a Moscow Mule specifically for these reasons. It’s effervescence brings life to whatever vodka you use as a base, and makes the lime flavor really pop.
4.Fever Tree Ginger Beer:By brewing a blend of three gingers from Nigeria, Cochin and the Ivory Coast, Fever Tree have created an award winning ginger beer that has been highly acclaimed by gastronomes and critics alike. Not too sweet on the palate and with a deep long lasting ginger character. Perfect in a Dark & Stormy, Moscow Mule or simply as a soft drink on its own.
5.Buderim Ginger Brew:Another Australian entrant, Buderim Ginger Beer features a relative balance of sweetness and spiciness. Using only Australian sugar cane and ginger, this offering skews more towards being a ’boutique’ offering, namely: high quality ingredients with an enjoyable result. It’s not going to blow your palate away with flavor, but that’s exactly the point. It’s extremely drinkable/mixable.
FAQs
The best ginger beer for Moscow mules is Fever-Tree brand ginger beer. Mara said, “It tastes the most like a Moscow mule,” and I wholeheartedly agreed. Fever-Tree's ginger beer has the most clear and pronounced fresh ginger flavor, thanks to a blend of three gingers from Nigeria, Cochin and the Ivory Coast.
Is Jamaican ginger beer good for Moscow Mule? ›
Ginger beers vary in sweetness and spice, but our go-to brands are the perfect balance of both. Try the Great Jamaican Ginger Beer Co. or Grace Island Soda for a nice, spicy kick, or Goslings or Fentimans for a slightly sweeter and lighter taste.
Is Gosling's ginger beer good for mules? ›
Or, you could also try a ginger ale that tends to be less spicy and a little more sweet. Best Option for Budgets: Goslings Story Ginger Beer is a solid option that's easier to find in stores and gives you a good amount of ginger beer for the price.
Which ginger beer has real ginger? ›
Reed's Original Ginger Beer
This world-famous, Jamaican-inspired recipe is crafted with REAL fresh ginger root, natural fruit juices, honey and spices. Perfect straight-up or mixed.
Is ginger beer better than ginger ale for Moscow Mule? ›
In a pinch, ginger ale will work as a substitute for ginger beer in a Moscow mule, however the citrusy, zingy flavor that the ginger beer normally brings will be a lot more muted. Ginger ale will make your Moscow mule a lot more sweet and bubbly.
What is the most expensive ginger beer bottle? ›
The top price was $24,975, for a green J Dempsey of Kalgoorlie bottle decorated with the emblem of a dog's head - claimed as a world auction record for a stoneware ginger beer bottle and the second highest price for any stoneware bottle.
Why is ginger beer so expensive? ›
It is expensive to do it, and ginger juice makes such a big component that to make it it's our highest cost per production beer that we make.
What alcohol is good in ginger beer? ›
Crisp and refreshing, the classic Moscow Mule is about as easy as can be. Vodka + ginger beer + plenty of ice.
Are Moscow mules 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 is a Moscow Mule drink called? ›
A Moscow mule is a co*cktail made with vodka, ginger beer and lime juice, garnished with a slice or wedge of lime, and a sprig of mint. The drink, being a type of buck, is sometimes called vodka buck.
Spicy from the muddled fresh ginger and slightly tart from the lime – a Moscow Mule is great co*cktail to start your night with.
What is the best ginger beer to make Moscow mules? ›
The Best Ginger Beers to Spice Things Up
| Best Overall Ginger Beer: | Best Value Ginger Beer: | Best Ginger Beer as a Standalone Drink: |
|---|
| Ginger Lab Original Brew | Barritt's Original Ginger Beer | Bundaberg Ginger Beer |
| Best Overall Ginger Beer | Best Value Ginger Beer | Best Ginger Beer as a Standalone Drink |
| Bright, fresh-tasting | | |
What is the Best Ginger Beer for a Kentucky Mule? We did a blind taste test of many brands of ginger beer. Most taste similar and are very sweet and more zesty or spicy than regular ginger ale. The brand that stood out to us as the most delicious was Fever-Tree with the most effervescent and unique flavor.
Do you use alcoholic or non-alcoholic ginger beer in a Moscow Mule? ›
Is ginger beer alcoholic in Moscow Mule? No, ginger beer in non-alcoholic. So if you're making Moscow mules for a party and have anyone that doesn't want alcohol, you can leave out the vodka and fill the mug up with ginger beer instead.
Is fentimans ginger beer good for Moscow Mule? ›
Fentimans Ginger Beer makes the perfect Moscow Mule, serve over ice in a copper mug for the full experience!
Is Fever Tree ginger beer good for Moscow Mule? ›
All the perfect Moscow Mule requires is the following: 3 parts Fever-Tree Ginger Beer. 1 part vodka. Juice of 1 lime.
What's the difference between ginger beer and ginger root beer? ›
Right, so you know the primary difference lies in the roots used to make the two beverages. One uses, obviously, ginger root. The other uses sassafras.
