This classic Moscow mule recipe mixes grapefruit, vodka, ginger beer, and ice to create a light and tangy cocktail that will leave you wanting another! A grapefruit Moscow mule with fresh rosemary and mint comes together in less than five minutes and is just as good on a hot summer night as a holiday season cocktail party!
If you are looking for a porch-sipper type of drink, this one might sneak up on you. It's really delicious and goes down fast! Very refreshing, too!
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What makes a good Moscow mule?
A Moscow Mule is a sparkly cocktail made with ginger beer, vodka, and lime juice. Today we are mixing up a sunset pink mule by substituting the traditional lime for grapefruit juice! I'm also using fresh herbs to make this a mint and rosemary grapefruit Moscow mule.
A good Moscow mule recipe is tangy, bubbly and has a burst of citrus. I'm also partial to garnishes like lime wedges, orange slices, grapefruit sections and fresh garden herbs!
Moscow mules are light and refreshing, and this rosemary grapefruit mule is no exception! Perfect for serving with a Strawberry Chicken Salad or Crisp Apple Slaw. This is a great cocktail for happy hour or just a casual Friday night!
Jump to:
- What makes a good Moscow mule?
- Ingredients for Grapefruit Moscow Mule with Fresh Rosemary & Mint
- How to make this grapefruit Moscow mule recipe
- Recipe
- HOW TO MAKE GRAPEFRUIT SIMPLE SYRUP
- HOW TO MAKE A PITCHER OF GRAPEFRUIT MULES
- How to make grapefruit simple syrup
- Tips for serving a mule cocktail
- How to make a pitcher of grapefruit mules
- ADD A TWIST ON A TRADITIONAL MOSCOW MULE CLASSIC COCKTAIL!
- HELPFUL EQUIPMENT
- FAQ
- More boozy favorites
- Complete your menu!
- Comments
Ingredients for Grapefruit Moscow Mule with Fresh Rosemary & Mint
- sprig of fresh rosemary and a sprig of mint - This is an optional garnish, but adds a subtle flavor as well as eye appeal. I like to add a thin slice of lime to the rim, too.
- Grapefruit - Fresh grapefruit juice is the star! Use freshly squeezed or bottled. If you aren't a fan of grapefruit, any citrus fruit will do! Before I juice my grapefruit, I cut it in half and then cut a small sliver to garnish the inside of the glass.
- Simple syrup - If you like a tart cocktail, skip this ingredient. If sweet is more your taste, use as little or as much as you like!
- Vodka - I love to use Tito's because it's what I usually have in my pantry, but a grapefruit vodka like Frankly Organic Grapefruit Vodka would be delish!
- Ginger beer - Grab a bottle of Fever Tree or a can of ginger beer, preferably chilled. If you don't mind a non-traditional mule, you could also substitute tonic water. If you substitute ginger ale, the flavor will be very different. I wouldn't recommend it.
- Ice | Okay, this might be a bit much, but did you know that when you make ice in molds that you should use boiled and cooled water? No more cloudy ice! You're welcome! Pick up cute molds at TJ Maxx, Target or Homegoods. I'll link a few online options in the Helpful Tools section below.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to make this grapefruit Moscow mule recipe
1. Fill a glass or copper cup with ice cubes. Pour the grapefruit simple syrup over the ice and then top it off with ginger beer and vodka. See below for how to make grapefruit simple syrup.
2. Decorate the glass with rosemary, grapefruit slices or a delicate sprig of mint.
If you make this recipe, please leave a comment below! This provides helpful feedback to both me and other readers. For more delicious recipes from scratch and homesteading tips, follow me on instagram @NinnescahHomestead
Recipe
GRAPEFRUIT MOSCOW MULE WITH FRESH ROSEMARY & MINT
Equipment
- jigger, stirrer, cup
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vodka
- 4-6 ounces ginger beer to taste
- 1 ounce simple syrup infused with grapefruit
- ½ grapefruit sliced
Instructions
- Fill a glass or copper cup with ice cubes. Pour the grapefruit simple syrup over the ice and then top it off with ginger beer and vodka. See below for how to make grapefruit simple syrup.
- Decorate the glass with rosemary, grapefruit slices or a delicate sprig of mint.
Notes
HOW TO MAKE GRAPEFRUIT SIMPLE SYRUP
Here's a tip if you like making cocktails but are trying to save a little money - make your own simple syrup! You can also add in different fruit juices or herbs for a flavored simple syrup.- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup grapefruit (optional)
- Add the sugar, water, and grapefruit juice and any desired herbs to a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Stir until sugar is completely dissolved. Don't bring it to a boil! Just get it hot enough for the sugar to dissolve.
- Let cool completely to room temperature, then strain into a glass jar and seal tightly with a lid. You can also add fresh herbs like a sprig of rosemary to the syrup to enhance the flavor during this step.
- Store in the fridge for up to a month!
HOW TO MAKE A PITCHER OF GRAPEFRUIT MULES
Most standard pitchers will hold eight servings. In the bottom of the pitcher, add 2 cups of grapefruit simple syrup, 2 cups vodka. Stir to combine. Just before serving, gently stir in 6 cups ginger beer. You can make the grapefruit simple syrup ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before adding the ginger beer.Nutrition
How to make grapefruit simple syrup
Here's a tip if you like making cocktails but are trying to save a little money - make your own simple syrup! You can also add in different fruit juices or herbs for a flavored simple syrup.
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup grapefruit (optional)
- Add the sugar, water, and grapefruit juice and any desired herbs to a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Stir until sugar is completely dissolved. Don't bring it to a boil! Just get it hot enough for the sugar to dissolve.
- Let cool completely to room temperature, then strain into a glass jar and seal tightly with a lid. You can also add fresh herbs like a sprig of rosemary to the syrup to enhance the flavoe during this step.
- Store in the fridge for up to a month!
Tips for serving a mule cocktail
The only tools you'll need for this simple cocktail are a muddler and a glass. I'm using a the back of a wooden spoon as a muddler and a mason jar for a glass.
A classic Moscow mule is served in a copper mug or simple copper cup, but you can truly use whatever classic cocktail glass you have on hand.
How to make a pitcher of grapefruit mules
Most standard pitchers will hold eight servings. In the bottom of the pitcher, add 2 cups of grapefruit simple syrup, 2 cups vodka. Stir to combine. Just before serving, gently stir in 6 cups ginger beer. You can make the grapefruit simple syrup ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before adding the ginger beer.
ADD A TWIST ON A TRADITIONAL MOSCOW MULE CLASSIC COCKTAIL!
1. Make it sweeter! If you prefer a sweeter drink, you can add a shot of simple syrup. You can even infuse a simple syrup with fresh fruits to make the flavor more intense! To make a simple syrup, combine ½ cup of sugar and ½ cup of water in a small saucepan. Heat until the sugar dissolves, then let it cool completely.
2. Put your own spin on this summertime mule by adding a fresh-squeezed lime juice or lemon juice just before serving.
3. Experiment with different vodka flavors!
4. For a milder drink, add a little water instead of the full amount of vodka. Then you can be more of a long-term porch sipper instead of an early napper.
5. Make it a Mexican Mule with spicy ginger beer, a shake of Tajin, and a jalapeño slice for garnish.
6. Switch the booze from vodka to bourbon to make this into a grapefruit Kentucky mule.
HELPFUL EQUIPMENT
- Jigger, shot glass or measuring cup
- Copper mugs or a cocktail glass: This copper mule mug is the safe and traditional choice. They are the number one sellers on Amazon at the time of writing this. BUT, you need to look at these matte black copper mugs. Wow. Or use your favorite cocktail glass. I thought these vintage wine glasses I used today turned out really elegant, but I'm not a traditionalist when it comes to my kitchen. I like to have items that are inexpensive and can be used in lots of different ways.
- Stirrer or long spoon (sometimes called a barkeeper's spoon) I linked the copper stirrer I'd buy if I was going to spend a little money, but a kitchen spoon will work just as well!
- Ice cube molds: Here is a cute set I found on amazon! But don't be afraid to look at discount stores like Marshall's or TJ Maxx. They almost always have unique options!
FAQ
Yes, you can easily make a non-alcoholic Moscow Mule, often referred to as a "Virgin Moscow Mule" or "Moscow Mule Mocktail." To make it, simply omit the vodka and use extra non-alcoholic ginger beer or ginger ale instead. Garnish with a lime wheel or wedge, and you'll have a refreshing and flavorful non-alcoholic version of this classic cocktail that everyone can enjoy.
Traditionally, a Moscow Mule is served in a copper mug, which not only keeps the drink cold but also enhances the overall drinking experience. The copper mug becomes frosty, providing a unique tactile sensation as you sip. However, you can certainly use other glasses if you don't have copper mugs. Just be sure to use a glass that can hold plenty of ice and has a wide mouth to enjoy the aroma fully. I'm using vintage wine glasses today and they turned out so lovely!
While you can use any vodka of your choice to make a Moscow Mule, it's often recommended to opt for a good-quality vodka. Brands like Titos, Grey Goose, and Absolut are popular choices, as their cool and clean flavors complement the cocktail's profile. However, feel free to experiment with different vodkas to find the one that suits your taste preferences best.
If you make this grapefruit mule, leave me a comment and tell me how you liked it! It's early November as I'm writing this, and I'll just be over here dreaming of holiday cocktail parties! Be sure to pin one of these pictures to your Pinterest so you can easily find this recipe later!
Happy cooking!
-Meg
More boozy favorites
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Complete your menu!
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