Traditionally Moscow Mules are made with ginger beer, but it can also be made with ginger ale.
A Short History of Ginger Beer
In many ways ginger beer was a product of necessity: this was a time when most water was unsafe to drink, so the easiest way to create a potable product was to produce beer with a bacteria-killing level of alcohol. The thing was a lot of this beer didn’t taste especially good, so the addition of ginger to the brewing process aided in providing a mild, pleasant spiciness that increased palatability and caused the drink to take off.
Through to the late 1880’s, Ginger Beer was still truly a beer, brewed to a strength of between 2-11% abv. Since ginger itself was procured from far-off places at enormous expense, the locally produced product became commonly associated with exotic regions such as the Caribbean and Australia (a trend that persists to this day). A few opportunistic manufacturers would even mislabel their product to seize the highest market price as various regions laid claim to the title of the ‘finest’ ginger.
But as filtering and purification became more advanced and water became increasingly safe for the general public to drink, the consumption of beer morning, noon, and night ebbed and ginger beer became a much less ubiquitous – and not coincidentally largely non-alcoholic – product.
For a brief time, advocates in the temperance movement even seized on ginger beer as a possible bait-and-switch tactic to further their cause; using its historic reputation for alcohol content and name as a way to win the hearts of the booze-loving masses. Much to the dismay of these teetotalers, the only awareness that increased was for ginger beers appeal as a mixer in cocktails.
Can You Put Ginger Ale in a Moscow Mule?
Though in recent years it has returned to its much deserved glory, there was a time when the Moscow Mule was a largely forgotten – and much abused – cocktail. A recipe that once had all the nuance and kick of a proper drink slowly faded from the minds of bartenders, and with the haze of time came the dreaded substitution, namely: ginger ale instead of ginger beer.
So, what exactly is the big deal when it comes to treating these two as drink doppelgangers? After all, today, we all know that ginger beer is what makes a Moscow Mule, but what exactly is it, and what separates it from the more ubiquitous ginger ale.
Ginger itself has long been used for it’s medicinal properties – most notably it was first used by the ancient Greeks for its calming effect on the stomach – but it wasn’t until Victorian England and the opening up of the global spice trade that ginger beer first made an appearance.
Beginner cocktails: Moscow Mule
FAQ
Can you use ginger ale instead of ginger beer for Moscow mule?
Does ginger ale work for mules?
Can ginger ale be substituted for ginger beer?
Can you use Canada Dry for Moscow mule?
What is the best beer for a Moscow mule?
For the best flavor for a Moscow mule, look for ginger beer made with real ginger, without artificial flavors or sweeteners. Q Ginger Beer has great flavor and is made with real ginger. It comes in small cans so you don’t have to open a large bottle.
Is ginger ale good for health?
Ginger ale is a carbonated soft drink or soda that is often high in sugar and contains very little ginger, if any at all. Unlike traditional ginger ale that contained actual ginger root, most ginger ale today contains ginger flavoring, preservatives, and other additives. Making your own carbonated ginger ale with fresh ginger at home would be a healthier alternative. All you need is fresh ginger root, carbonated water, and some honey and lemon. Ginger has anti-inflammatory, immune supportive, and anti-nausea properties that you won’t get with store bought ginger ale.
Can you mix a Moscow mule in a cocktail shaker?
Because a Moscow mule is all about the carbonation in the ginger beer, this drink is not mixed in a cocktail shaker. To preserve the bubbles, simply build the drink right in the mug, served over ice. This makes it one of the easiest cocktail recipes you can find, and quick and easy to mix up for parties. Here’s how to make a Moscow mule:
What makes a good Moscow mule?
Fresh ginger: Freshly grated ginger is what gives this moscow mule some heat and a unique touch. Granulated sugar: A little sugar is used to balance the acidity of the drink so it’s smoother to drink. Basil leaves: Fresh torn basil leaves are muddled to infuse hints of anise, pepper, and mint. It makes the drink that much more refreshing!