Blood Orange Moscow Mule
I did a little bit of cocktail investigation a few weeks ago when I was on break and I am here to report the results in the form of this Blood Orange Moscow Mule.
It all started with copper mugs. They started popping up everywhere last spring/summer and I was wondering why the sudden interest? Then Pinterest started exploding with Moscow Mule recipes in copper mugs and my interest peaked. What’s the special drink? But I was too pregnant and/or sleep deprived most of last year to fully investigate and didn’t get to it until the last two weeks of December. Luckily, this meant that copper mugs would be cheaper and I convinced myself I needed 4!!
Armed with my copper mugs, I took to the interwebs to investigate the history behind the Moscow mule. These were my findings: 1) It has absolutely nothing to do with Moscow. 2) It’s a combination of ginger beer, vodka and lime juice (imagine how shocked I was to find out it was so simple). 3) Wikipedia is unsure about the origins but rumor has it a vodka distillery owner and the owner of a ginger beer bottling facility came together to help each other’s businesses. Apparently it was in a bar and the drink came about. 4) Take that last piece of information with a grain of salt. The interwebs is a crazy place.
But who cares what the origin is? Once I realized there was ginger beer involved I was in. I love making my own ginger beer… the African version is always in my freezer so it was easy to make this drink. Moscow mule is an easy vodka cocktail that’s smooth and refreshing. I added a simple syrup to sweetened it a bit and add another flavor to the mix. This blood orange Moscow mule is a great place to start if you are curious about this cocktail taking over the interwebs.
Happy investigating this weekend!
Blood Orange Moscow Mule
Ingredients
- 1.5 ounces vodka
- juice of ½ a lime
- 1 ounce blood orange simple syrup (recipe below)
- 4 ounce Ginger beer (not Ginger Ale)
Blood Orange Simple Syrup
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup blood orange juice
- Garnish: Ginger slices, lime wedges, blood orange slices
Instructions
- To make the simple syrup, combine all the ingredients in a medium pot and bring to a boil over medium heat. Once sugar has melted, cook for 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
- To make the cocktail, combine the vodka, lime juice and simple syrup in a copper mug (or regular tall glass) with crushed ice. Top with ginger beer. Garnish with ginger slices, lime or blood oranges.
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Moscow mules really are all over the place! And of course as a result the cost of the mugs went up a lot due to the demand. But I am thoroughly enjoying all the different kinds that have been invented. I have a blackberry version just the other night and now I want to try this!
Very pretty! Never had a Moscow Mule drink before.
I’ve always wanted to make moscow mules at home! And you made blood orange moscow mules???!!!!! freaking beautiful!!!!
Thanks Alice!
Oh wow, this looks SO good, Zainab! I want one right this minute! It’s super muggy here in Brisbane at the moment, so I need something refreshing like this. Plus, it’s a great excuse to sip on vodka deliciousness. Yay!
It really is a great excuse lol!
I haven’t had a Moscow Mule yet! I don’t know why either….and I’ve wondered about those copper mugs too many times myself. This version with blood oranges looks like the one I need to try first — it’s gorgeous!
Thanks Marcie! Isn’t is fascinating that they just popped up and are everywhere??
So delicious! Love the blood orange 🙂
Thanks Medha!
I’ve seen these copper mug drinks around too and have never had one. This sounds like quite the tasty beverage and the added blood orange flavor is a great idea! Thanks so much for the history lesson!
I’m glad you learned something lol! Give them a try soon!
I love this so much, Zainab! I love Moscow Mules, but had no idea of the history behind them. So I learned something new today! Haha. I LOVE the blood orange simple syrup. I must try these immediately!
hahha I’m glad you love them!
First of all, thanks for doing all that research for me! I had no clue about any of that. Second, you make your own ginger beer?! Giiiirl, you are amazing! And feel free to send me some! I am LOVING this blood orange moscow mule, Z!! I have been blood orange-ing all the things, so obviously THIS needs to happen! Plus it’s thirsty thursday… so i’m ready to get my cocktail on! Pinned! Cheers, girlfriend!
Oh you are welcome my dear!! Get some cocktail this weekend 🙂
I tried my first Moscow Mule this past December Zainab! Like I think I’ve been living under a rock! What I’ve been missing! It was totally delicious, so I know I’m going to love this blood orange one! They’re my favorite! Thanks for sharing and enjoy your weekend! Cheers!
That’s how I felt too! And then I enjoyed it and was hooked lol!
Cocktail investigations sounds like my kind of investigations! I love Moscow mules, but I still don’t have myself a set of proper copper mugs. I need to get on that! Love the blood orange twist!
I am a scientist at heart and love researching things!
Oh Zainab this sounds like just what we need in the sweltering summer heat down here in Australia! What a perfect beverage for relaxing with in the hot afternoons while watching the sun go down. Thanks for sharing, I can’t wait to try it! We love ginger beer in our house too 🙂
Yes, this will be a great summer drink too!!