For the times you want to recreate an intimate night at home with your sweetie, or when you have some good friends over and the occasion calls for cocktails, here’s a delicious Classic Moscow Mule recipe to warm you right up.
There’s a bar in Northeast Portland that is the epitome of sexy. It’s small, dark, intimate, yet with high ceilings so it truly feels romantic versus suffocating. It’s the kind of place where whispers are followed by either sly smiles or shocked expressions, and laughs are full body movements, the kind that happen when you’re fully engrossed in conversation with the person/people right in front of you.
I’m talking about my favorite bar in Portland, Oregon: The Secret Society. And, they make the best Moscow Mules in town.
I don’t get to The Secret Society as often as I would like, but those classic Moscow Mules still linger in my mind.
Table of Contents
Classic Moscow Mule
Moscow Mule is basically vodka + ginger beer + lime juice. It was invented 1941 by “Jack” Morgan, President of Cock ‘n’ Bull Products (including ginger beer) and John Martin of G.F. Heublein Brothers, Inc., an East Coast spirits and food distributor. Martin used to ask bartenders to pose with a copper mug when he traveled across the country promoting Moscow Mules; hence, you will often see these drinks served in copper mugs.
To modernize this tasty classic in line with today’s trend of barrel-aged cocktails, I used a very special vodka: Oak by Absolut.
Oak by Absolut
Oak by Absolut is a brand new vodka that is a trifecta of taste in one bottle: a mix of classic Absolut vodka, barrel-rested vodka, and vodka rested on oak. The result is a darker vodka with a richer, smoky flavor, and subtle caramel notes. It’s only available in a few select markets in the United States, including my lucky hometown of Portland, Oregon.
Oak by Absolut gives the Moscow Mule added depth and give it some extra oomph to help kick start any cool evening. Perfect to help you recreate the intimate feel of your favorite bar, at home!
Classic Moscow Mule
Ingredients
- 2 oz vodka
- 5 oz ginger beer
- 3-4 drops bitters
- lime juice
- Lime wedge garnish
Instructions
- Pour all ingredients into either a copper mug or a highball glass. Fill with ice. Garnish with a lime wedge. Sip with a sly smile.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Hey that is wonderful recipe.I wanted to make this for a Christmas party .Can I make the drink a bit earlier and put it in a bottle and serve later or I need to make a fresh one?
Thank you for sharing!! :) :)
Hi Kristy! I think it’s definitely a drink that is better made fresh, just before serving, but you can certainly make a small batch ahead of time. If you do this, please do come back and let me know how it worked for you! Thanks, and happy holidays! :)
I LOVE ginger beer, so I”m not sure why I haven’t tried a Moscow Mule before. That will be changing very soon!
If you love ginger beer, I think you will LOVE Moscow Mules!
I saw a billboard for this Absolut and wondered what the heck it was! I love Secret Society, too. We used to like to go there because 1) our friend worked there and 2) it was non-smoking. WOW, that must’ve been a while ago.
Isn’t it such a great bar? Love Secret Society! Wish we were able to stow away there more often as well.
I have never seen that vodka before! Looks amazing and I am going to have to seek that one out. What a great recipe!
It’s so good! Only in select states right now but they’ll be expanding distribution soon. You can visit the website link in the post for locations!
This drink does sound interesting. I’d never heard of it before. Great photos too!
Thanks, Shelly!
I love Moscow Mules in the summer (though it’s a bit dangerous because I will probably have like 2 or 3)!
I’ve only been to Secret Society once, but it was fun. Great photos!
–Melissa
I love all of your recipes! Looks great and seems easy! Not to mention those mugs, I need them. :)Thanks for sharing.
This is pretty much the one cocktail I can totally get behind. I love the ginger and the citrus combo. Any particular ginger beer you like more than others?
Moscow mules are so good! I need to make them at home and get some of those beautiful cups!
Wow – I haven’t yet heard of this Absolut variety. I’ll definitely have to keep an eye out!
Moscow Mules are pretty much the official drink of the Davison family – my parents have 30+ mugs for entertaining purposes. Not sure we would abandon standard vodka, but we believe bitters are the necessary addition!
Love me some ginger beer! Our local liquor store doesn’t carry gluten free vodka so I haven’t had a good moscow mule in a while. That needs to change!
i do love a good moscow mule! we always use local, Oregon liquor like crater lake vodka for ours! love your glassware too!
I love a moscow mule. It’s always a drink I have on hand when I have company over. Easy to make and always so refreshing.
My husband is a beer man, but I think he would really enjoy this beverages, especially with the ginger beer! I love making new drinks so I am excited to give this a try (it looks sooooo good!)