Moscow Mule Mocktail – This virgin moscow mule is non-alcoholic and made with fresh, vibrant flavors you’ll love. It’s sweet, spicy, and so refreshing–the perfect ginger beer mocktail!

Front view of two non-alcoholic moscow mule mocktails in copper mugs with fresh mint and lime slices

Re-making classic cocktails with the mocktail version is one of my favorite kinds of recipe development! It’s so fun (and tasty!) to take these traditional recipes and re-make them so they’re family friendly.

Whether you’re serving kids and little ones, you’re pregnant, or you simply choose not to drink (me!), having a fun, easy mocktail recipe or two in your repertoire is always a good idea!

Today’s challenge is a virgin moscow mule mocktail. The traditional moscow mule is made from vodka, simple syrup, lime juice, and ginger beer. Our virgin version has been re-worked to keep the same fresh flavor from the lime and the spicy bite from the ginger, just without the alcohol.

This crisp, refreshing mocktail is perfect for an evening in, a family holiday party, or a fun celebration any time, and it’s SUPER easy to make.

Here’s what you need to make the best moscow mule mocktail…

This Non-Alcoholic Moscow Mule Recipe, At A Glance:

Ingredients For Moscow Mule Mocktails
How To Make This Ginger Beer Mocktail, Step By Step
FAQ + Tips And Tricks For The Best Non-Alcoholic Moscow Mule
More Mocktail Recipes To Try
RECIPE: Moscow Mule Mocktail

Front view of ingredients for a virgin moscow mule mocktail: ginger beer, mint, lime simple syrup, and sparkling water

Here’s What You Need To Make A Virgin Moscow Mule:

Plenty Of Ice. A moscow mule is meant to be served ice cold, so don’t skimp on the ice!
Simple Syrup. For an extra layer of flavor, we’re making mint simple syrup. I love the refreshing note it adds!
Fresh Lime Juice. This isn’t the time for bottle lime juice. I promise it’s worth it to use fresh!
Ginger Beer. Sparkly, spicy ginger beer packs the biggest flavor punch in this ginger beer mocktail! Ginger beer isn’t the same thing as ginger ale–it’s non-alcoholic, less sweet, and has a more ginger-forward flavor. It adds a pleasant zing to the drink you can’t get from ginger ale!
Sparkling Water Or Soda Water. Then, you’ll top off the glass with some club soda (sometimes called soda water) or sparkling water.
Fresh Garnishes. Then, finish the drink with a few garnishes, lime slices/lime wheels or a lime wedge and fresh mint leaves are my go-tos.
Bonus Points: A Copper Mug. Moscow mules are traditionally served in copper mugs. They make the drink feel extra cold and give it a fun, nostalgic look. (Make sure your mugs are food-grade copper or lined with stainless steel, since copper can leach into foods.)

Pouring ginger beer over ice to make a non-alcoholic moscow mule mocktail

How To Make A Moscow Mule Mocktail, Step By Step:

Start With The Mint Simple Syrup:

Combine sugar and water in a saucepan. Stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves, then turn off the heat and add fresh mint leaves.
Steep the mint for at least 30 minutes up to 2 hours, then cool to room temperature.
Strain the syrup through a fine mesh sieve and store in a glass jar.
Mint syrup will keep several weeks in the fridge and can be made in advance.

Then, Make The Mocktail:

Fill a copper mug (or glass) with ice cubes.
Pour in simple syrup, lime juice, and ginger beer. Top off the cup with sparkling water.
Garnish with lime slices, fresh leaves or a fresh mint sprig, and more!

Non Alcoholic Moscow Mule Variations To Try:

Cranberry Moscow Mule Mocktail. Use 2 oz (1/4 cup) cranberry juice blend and 4 oz (1/2 cup) ginger beer and garnish with cranberries. Or, use a cranberry-pomegranate juice blend and use pomegranate arils!
Orange Moscow Mule Mocktail. Use 2 oz (1/4 cup) orange juice and 4 oz. (1/2 cup) ginger beer. Garnish with orange slices.
Pineapple Moscow Mule Mocktail. Use 2 oz. (1/4 cup) of pineapple juice and 4 oz. (1/2 cup) ginger beer.

FAQ + Tips And Tricks For The Best Moscow Mule Mocktail:

Is Ginger Beer The Same Thing As Ginger Ale? No. Ginger beer is spicier, with a stronger, more potent ginger flavor. Ginger all has a more mild ginger flavor and tends to taste much sweeter than ginger beer.

Is There Alcohol In Ginger Beer? Ginger beer is typically non-alcoholic, much like root beer. It was originally made as a fermented drink made from ginger, yeast, and sugar. These days, ginger beer is sweetened and carbonated rather than brewed and fermented. Very few brands are alcoholic these days, but if you’re a non-drinker make sure you’re buying non-alcoholic ginger beer (which is typically in the soda section).

What’s The Best Brand Of Ginger Beer? Fever Tree is our go-to brand of ginger beer. It’s got three different varieties of ginger in it, which gives it a more nuanced, full-bodied flavor than other brands we’ve tried. Plus, it uses sugar rather than corn syrup or artificial sweeteners. Our second favorite is Target’s store brand Favorite Day. It’s got really balanced flavor that’s not as sharp as many other brands. If you’re looking for something naturally-sweetened, Q Ginger Beer uses agave, though it has the strongest peppery bite.

Why Are Moscow Mules Served In A Copper Cup?

There are two main reasons:

Temperature. Copper is an incredible conductor so it instantly becomes the temperature of your drink. Drinking a cold moscow mule mocktail out of a cold cup gives the impression that the drink is even colder than it is. (Plus, all that condensation on the outside of the glass visually makes you feel like the drink is extra-cold!)
Tradition. When the moscow mule was invented in the 1940s, celebrities were photographed sipping them out of copper mugs, and the trend took off. #influencing (ha!)

Front view of a non-alcoholic moscow mule mocktail in a copper mug with fresh mint and lime slices

More Mocktail REcipes To Try:

front view of shirley temple in a tall glass with lime and maraschino cherries

WE ♥