July is National Watermelon Month, making a watermelon Moscow Mule the perfect summer drink! With homemade watermelon syrup and my beloved vanilla vodka, this cocktail is the embodiment of refreshment. Savor this exquisite cocktail in a copper mug, garnished with fresh watermelon slices and a touch of mint. Simply divine!
The mix of juicy watermelon, smooth vanilla vodka, tangy lime juice, and spicy ginger beer creates a delightful flavor profile that balances sweetness, tartness, and a hint of warmth, making it the perfect summer drink.
So grab your copper mugs, bar spoon, and
Remember, the Moscow Mule is a built drink, so you are preparing it directly in the serving glass! There's no need for a
🥘 Ingredients
- Vanilla Vodka: I love using vanilla vodka in cocktails. You can even make your own at home with our easy recipe!
- Watermelon Syrup: I prefer homemade watermelon syrup for its fresh taste, but store-bought versions work well too.
- Fresh Lime Juice: Our detailed blog post offers tips and techniques for squeezing the best lime juice.
- Ginger Beer: Learn about the different kinds of ginger beer and how they can enhance your drink below.
- Mint and Fresh Watermelon: These are perfect for garnishing your cocktail and adding a fresh touch.
See the recipe card for quantities.
🍸 Step-by-Step
🔪 Instructions
Step 1: Pour vanilla vodka, watermelon syrup, and lime juice directly into the copper mug.
Step 2: Fill the mug with ice cubes.
Step 3: Top with ginger beer.
Step 4: Stir briefly with a bar spoon.
Step 5: Garnish with fresh watermelon and mint.
🍻 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.
💕 Perfect Pairing
- Lemon Sugar Cookies: Delight in these soft and zesty lemon sugar cookies, which perfectly complement the citrus notes of your Watermelon Moscow Mule.
- No-Bake Lemon Cheesecake: This creamy, tangy no-bake lemon cheesecake provides a refreshing contrast that enhances the cocktail's fruity flavors.
- Lemon White Chocolate Cookies: Enjoy the delightful combination of lemon and white chocolate in these cookies, adding a sweet and tangy touch to your cocktail experience.
- Coconut Pound Cake: This coconut pound cake's rich, tropical flavor pairs beautifully with the refreshing taste of your Watermelon Moscow Mule.
- 6 Egg White Cake: This light and airy egg white cake is a perfect, delicate match for the crisp and vibrant flavors of your cocktail.
- Chocolate Bundt Cake: Indulge in the rich and moist chocolate bundt cake, offering a sweet, decadent balance to the fruity and spicy elements of your Watermelon Moscow Mule.
If you are looking for something spicy to serve with this delicious Watermelon Moscow Mule, try this Air Fryer Smoked Sausage and Vegetables for a change of pace.
🤔 WHAT IS A "BUILT" COCKTAIL?
A "built" cocktail is a mixed drink prepared directly in the serving glass, without being shaken or stirred in a separate container first.
Ingredients are usually poured one by one over ice, allowing them to mix naturally within the glass.
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 isn't just about tradition; it also enhances the drinking experience in several ways:
- Temperature: Copper mugs are excellent temperature conductors, keeping your drink colder for longer. The metal quickly takes on the cocktail's icy temperature, providing a refreshing chill from the first sip to the last.
- Aesthetics: Copper mugs have a distinctive, attractive look that adds a touch of class and novelty to your cocktail, making it more enjoyable and memorable.
- Tradition: The Moscow Mule was first served in copper mugs in the 1940s, and this tradition has persisted. Using a copper mug pays homage to the cocktail's origins and adds a sense of authenticity.
🍽 Equipment
- Bar spoon
- Jigger / Measuring tools
- Copper mug
- Cutting board & sharp knife
- Lemon squeezer
🍉 Other Watermelon Recipes for You to Try
- Refreshing Watermelon Syrup
- Watermelon Spritzer {white wine}
- July is National Watermelon Month
- Watermelon Martini
- Watermelon Spritz {with Prosecco}
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 Watermelon Mule
Equipment
- Cutting board & Sharp knife
Ingredients
- 1 ½ oz Vanilla vodka
- ¾ oz Watermelon syrup
- ¾ oz Fresh lime juice
- Cubed Ice
- 1 Ginger beer
- Mint and fresh watermelon for garnish
Instructions
- Pour 1 ½ oz Vanilla vodka, ¾ oz Watermelon syrup, and ¾ oz Fresh lime juice directly into the copper mug.1 ½ oz Vanilla vodka, ¾ oz Watermelon syrup, ¾ oz Fresh lime juice
- Fill the mug with Cubed Ice and top with 1 Ginger beer.Cubed Ice, 1 Ginger beer
- Stir briefly with a bar spoon.
- Garnish with Mint and fresh watermelon.Mint and fresh watermelon
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.
Adriana says
This worked exactly as written, thanks!
Nora says
Thank you, Adriana!
Juyali says
Delicious! And thanks for the recipe for vanilla vodka too. I'm excited about using my homemade vanilla vodka in more cocktails. Another great recipe, Nora! 🙂
Nora says
Thank you, Juyali! I am thrilled to have met someone who shares my passion for vanilla vodka!
JC says
This was the perfect cocktail for summer. will be on repeat at my house!
Nora says
Thank you, JC! I am glad you liked it! 🙂
Leslie says
So refreshing! LOVE the watermelon syrup for this..so perfect!
Nora says
Thank you, Leslie! I am happy you liked it!
Genevieve says
I love watermelon and Moscow Mule looks incredible! The perfect cocktail for summer!
Nora says
Thank you, Genevieve!