Ready to cool down on a hot day with a unique twist? The Moscow Mule with Cucumber is here to refresh you! This twist on the classic Mule features marinated cucumber slices as the star.
The secret?
Marinate those cucumber slices in mint sugar and lime juice for an unbeatable flavor combo. Ready to refresh? Grab your copper mugs, ginger beer, unflavored vodka (so the cucumber flavor shines), ice cubes, and lime. Let’s get mixing!
Combining cucumbers, mint sugar, and lime juice creates a refreshing, crisp flavor profile. The cool, clean taste of cucumber blends seamlessly with the sweetness of mint sugar, while the lime juice adds a zesty, tangy kick, making it a perfect trio for a revitalizing drink.
Remember, the Moscow Mule is a "built" cocktail, meaning you prepare it directly in the serving glass. There's no need for a cocktail shaker!
🥘 Ingredients
- Cucumber: I used one mini cucumber, thinly sliced for a refreshing crunch.
- Mint sugar (homemade): Check the notes in the recipe card for making homemade mint sugar; it's easy and adds a fresh minty sweetness.
- Lime juice: Freshly squeezed for the best zesty flavor!
- Cubed ice: Keeps your drink perfectly chilled.
- Vodka, unflavored: Use unflavored vodka to let the cucumber flavor shine, or try cucumber vodka for an extra cucumber kick.
- Ginger beer: See the ginger beer options below to find your perfect match.
See the recipe card for quantities.
🍸 Step-by-Step
Set the cucumbers aside, then...
Stir with a bar spoon to combine and chill.
🔪 Instructions
Step 1: Marinate the cucumbers. Cut one mini cucumber into thin slices (3-4 slices per copper cup). Sprinkle with a little mint sugar and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lime juice. Set aside.
Step 2: Fill the copper mugs with vodka, lime juice, and cubed ice.
Step 3: Top the mugs with ginger beer and stir with a bar spoon to chill and mix the ingredients.
Step 4: Garnish and enjoy. Top with the marinated cucumber slices and enjoy your refreshing cucumber Moscow Mule!
💕 Perfect pairing
- Lemon Sorbet: The tartness of lemon sorbet complements the refreshing flavors of the Mule.
- Mint Chocolate No-Bake Cheesecake: The minty and chocolatey flavors of this cheesecake enhance the mint notes in the Mule.
- Moscow Mule Popsicles: A light and refreshing treat that mirrors the drink's flavors.
- Lavender Lemon Muffins: The floral and citrus notes in these muffins pair perfectly with the Mule's fresh flavors.
- 3 Ingredient Yogurt Cake: This simple, light cake from Combine Good Flavors is an ideal match for a refreshing cocktail.
🍻 Kinds of Ginger Beer
- Fever-Tree Ginger Beer: Known for its robust, natural ginger flavor with a slight citrusy note, it's less sweet and more balanced, making it a favorite for cocktails.
- Bundaberg Ginger Beer: This Australian brand offers a sweeter, more intense ginger flavor with a rich, full-bodied taste, ideal for those who prefer a stronger ginger kick.
- Gosling’s Stormy Ginger Beer: With a spicier profile and more carbonation, this ginger beer is perfect for mixing in cocktails like the Dark 'n Stormy, providing a sharp and zesty ginger punch.
- Reed’s Ginger Beer: Available in different varieties like Extra, Stronger, and Original, Reed’s offers a wide range of spiciness levels. It’s made with fresh ginger root, which gives it a more natural and slightly sweet flavor.
- Q Ginger Beer: Designed specifically for cocktails, Q Ginger Beer is less sweet with a bold ginger flavor and a hint of spice. It has a crisp, clean taste that doesn’t overpower the drink.
- Maine Root Ginger Brew: An organic option, it has a strong ginger taste with a balanced sweetness. It's less carbonated, providing a smooth, rich ginger flavor.
- Barritt’s Bermuda Stone Ginger Beer: A classic choice, it offers a mild ginger flavor with a subtle sweetness and moderate carbonation, making it versatile for various cocktails.
🤔 WHAT IS A "BUILT" COCKTAIL?
A "built" cocktail is a drink made directly in the serving glass without shaking or stirring in another container first. Ingredients are poured one by one over ice, allowing them to mix naturally. This method is simple and convenient, making it popular for straightforward cocktails like
🍺 WHY USE A COPPER MUG FOR A MOSCOW MULE?
Using a copper mug for a Moscow Mule enhances the drinking experience in several ways:
- Temperature: Copper mugs are excellent at conducting temperature, keeping your drink colder for longer and providing a refreshing chill from the first sip to the last.
- Aesthetics: Copper mugs have a distinctive, attractive look, adding a touch of class and novelty to your cocktail.
- Tradition: The Moscow Mule was first served in copper mugs in the 1940s, and using one pays homage to its origins, adding authenticity.
🍽 Equipment
- Cutting board & sharp knife
- Lemon Squeezer
- Measuring tools / Jigger
- Barspoon
- Copper mugs
Other Recipes for You to Try
If you make this recipe, let me know how you liked it by ★★★★★ star rating it and leaving a comment below. This would be awesome! You can also sign up for our Newsletter or follow me on Pinterest or Instagram and share your creation with me. Just tag me @combinegoodflavors and hashtag #combinegoodflavors, so I don't miss it.
📖 Recipe
Refreshing Mint Cucumber Moscow Mule
Equipment
- Cutting board & Sharp knife
Ingredients
- 1 Cucumber, mini
- 1 dash Mint sugar homemade or storebought
- 2 tablespoon Fresh lime juice
- 1 ½ oz Fresh lime juice ¾ oz / 2cl per mug
- 3 oz Vodka, unflavored 1 ½ oz / 4cl per mug
- Cubed Ice
- 2 Ginger beer 6.8 fl oz / 200 ml
Instructions
- Marinate the cucumbers: Cut 1 Cucumber, mini into thin slices (3-4 slices per copper cup). Sprinkle with 1 dash Mint sugar and drizzle with 2 tablespoon Fresh lime juice. Set aside.3 oz Vodka, unflavored, 1 Cucumber, mini, 1 ½ oz Fresh lime juice
- Fill the copper mugs: Add 3 oz Vodka, unflavored (1 ½ oz / 4cl per mug), 1 ½ oz Fresh lime juice ( ¾ oz / 2cl per mug), and Cubed Ice to the mugs.
- Add ginger beer: Top the mugs with 2 Ginger beer (one per mug) and stir with a bar spoon to chill and mix the ingredients.
- Garnish and enjoy: Top with the marinated cucumber slices and enjoy your refreshing cucumber Moscow Mule
Notes
How to make Mint Sugar?
To make mint sugar using dried mint tea:-
Ingredients:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons dried mint tea (leaves only)
-
Instructions:
- Grind the dried mint tea leaves into a fine powder using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle.
- In a bowl, combine the powdered mint leaves with the granulated sugar.
- Mix thoroughly until evenly distributed.
- Store the mint sugar in an airtight container for future use.
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
⛑️ Food Safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
For further information, check Safe Food Handling - FDA.
Liz says
I love a Moscow mule and this refreshing version was perfect for sipping around the pool!!!
Nora says
Thank you, Liz! So glad you liked it!
nancy says
What a cool twist on the classic moscow mule. The cucumbers really was a great cool down in this heat!
Nora says
Thank you, Nancy! With these crazy temperatures, something cooling is just what is needed! 😀
Bernice says
This is the recipe I turn to when the garden mint is taking over and I'm tired of mojitos. I love the addition of cucumber to freshen it up and ginger is always so invigorating.
Nora says
Thank you so much, Bernice!
Nicole Kendrick says
The cucumber and mint are such a refreshing change of pace for a mule. I really enjoyed it!
Nora says
Thank you, Nicole! I am so glad you liked it!
Leslie says
I'm soaking up every last bit of summer with this recipe! So refreshing!!
Nora says
Thank you so much, Leslie! I am so happy you like it!