Salt & Wind Travel

Strawberry Moscow Mule Cocktail

We have a major bias toward this Strawberry Moscow Mule Cocktail Recipe!

Anytime we can give a recipe a dash of that sunshine freshness that is so associated with California, well, we do it. We blame it on our love for our home state and all the fresh produce is grown here.

Sometimes we do so by combining avocados and strawberries for dessert. Other times it’s by leveling up classic pound cake with a kumquat thyme marmalade. Bottom line is, if there are local flavors we can celebrate, we’re all about it.

Sometimes we even make a recipe more “California” as we did with this Strawberry Moscow Mule. Though the cocktail’s name includes Moscow, the cocktail actually hails from Los Angeles (more on that later).

We’re the kind of people who buy flats of berries when we see them at the farmers’ market. Most of the time we get through them all in a few days no problem. But, when we find ourselves with too many strawberries, we use them up in this cocktail that’s made with vodka infused with strawberries. 

Cocktail On A Table With Strawberries

The Origin Of The Moscow Mule

Before we go any further, let’s talk about the classic cocktail that is the Moscow Mule. In case you’ve never had the cocktail before, the classic Moscow Mule recipe is made with vodka, lime, ginger beer, crushed ice, and a sprig of mint.

To clarify, this cocktail is part of the “mule family of cocktails.”All cocktails of this type are made with that delicious combination of ginger beer (or ginger ale), lime juice, and alcohol. Also, these cocktails are sometimes called a “buck” so if you see either term on a menu, you know what to expect.

The Moscow Mule is believed to have been created in the early 1940s in Los Angeles, California. The story goes that the owner of the British Pub, the Cock ‘n Bull, on the Sunset Strip came up with the vodka and ginger beer concoction. However, it’s debated as to whether the head bartender or the owner was the true creator of the drink.

The Deal With The Copper Cup

Regardless the drink is one of the most popular vodka cocktails out there and it’s usually served in a copper mug filled with ice. Some say the copper cup is there to keep the drink super cold. Others say it is purely about looks.

We’re not fans of buying things just to buy them but, if you plan on mixing up some Moscow Mule cocktails, we consider the copper cups an essential part of a well-stocked bar. Regardless, if you see a cocktail served this way, it’s most likely a Moscow Mule.

Shot Being Poured Into A Cocktail

How (And Why!) To Infuse Alcohol

Of all the DIY kitchen projects out there, infusing alcohol is probably one of the easiest. That’s because you simply combine alcohol with whatever you want from strawberries to jalapeños!

When done right well-infused alcohol will give a cocktail another layer of flavor without totally masking the taste of the alcohol itself.

Strawberry Moscow Mule Ingredients

This Strawberry Moscow Mule Cocktail is one of those drinks that comes across as girly and flirty but is a balance of not too sweet yet not too strong. It’s the perfect drink to beat the heat and is guaranteed to break the ice.

The key to this cocktail is to infuse the vodka with strawberries because it gives the final drink a floral berry flavor.

We love that it turns the drink a gorgeous red shade; that color is amazing, isn’t it? It reminds me of the perfect red of that Chanel lip gloss I used to save up for when I was in my 1940s glam stage during high school.

The Best Ginger Beer To Use

Yes, you always want to use the best ingredients you can find to make any recipe out there. And we encourage you to use your favorite premium vodka when you make this. In other words, avoid any vodka from the corner store that comes in a plastic bottle! But the place where this cocktail can go wrong is with the ginger beer.

Sometimes a bad ginger beer or even ginger ale is used instead. To clarify, ginger ale is different from ginger beer. Ginger beer is a naturally bubbly, brewed beverage made with ginger and it has a very low amount of alcohol (hence the “beer” in the name). Ginger ale is a soda that is made by mixing ginger syrup and carbonated water.

In this cocktail, you want a ginger beer that has a lot of spiciness. We prefer to use Fever-Tree, Bundaberg, or Fentimans brands. Know that the sweetness and spiciness of the type of ginger beer you use may require you to use more or less lime or agave to balance the cocktail.

Other Moscow Mule Recipes We Like

There are a lot of variations on the mule cocktail out there from the Kentucky Mule (made with bourbon) and the Mexican Mule (aka “El Burro“) made with tequila. Here are a few variations we like:

Regardless, this recipe is one that brings the party whether you’re throwing a cocktail party or just cooking a homemade meal for you and your S.O. 

Go stock up on all your cooking essentials then head into the kitchen, make this, and share it with us by tagging @saltandwind and #swsociety on social!

Person holding one Moscow Mule drink
Strawberry Moscow Mule Cocktail Recipe

Strawberry Moscow Mule Cocktail Recipe

We love the Moscow Mule for its refreshing combination of lime, ginger beer, and vodka. And adore that it too is a native Californian. The only thing better than the classic cocktail? Making it with strawberries!
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
resting time 1 day
Total Time 1 day 5 minutes
Course Drinks
Cuisine American
Servings 1 drink
Calories 180 kcal

Ingredients
  

For The Strawberry-Infused Vodka

  • 1 pound strawberries

    hulled and quartered

  • 2 cups vodka

For One Cocktail

  • 2 ounces strawberry vodka
  • 2 sprigs fresh mint
  • 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
  • ice
  • 4 ounces chilled ginger beer
  • 1 thinly sliced strawberry

    for garnish

  • 1 lime wheel

    for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Make The Strawberry-Infused Vodka: Combine vodka and berries in a glass jar, cover, and shake, and let sit at room temperature for at least 24 hours and up to 72 hours.
    Taste the vodka every 12 hours -- when it's as strawberry-flavored as you like, strain through a fine-mesh sieve, discard the berries and keep the vodka.
  • Make One Cocktail: Fill a copper mug or a Collins glass with crushed ice. Add 2 ounces of the Strawberry-Infused Vodka, 4 ounces of the ginger beer, and the juice from half of a lime. Stir to combine.
  • Serve The Moscow Mule: Tuck a mint sprig into the cocktail, add a few sliced strawberries, then serve immediately.

PERSONAL NOTES

Nutrition

Serving: 1drinkCalories: 180kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 1gFat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 10mgPotassium: 55mgFiber: 1gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 97IUVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 14mgIron: 1mg
Keyword classic california recipe, classic vodka cocktail
Tried this recipe?Mention @saltandwind or tag #swsociety!

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