Watermelon Moscow Mule
My Watermelon Moscow Mule is the ultimate summer cocktail - crisp, cool, and loaded with fresh watermelon flavor. Blending sweet watermelon juice, sharp ginger beer, a splash of lime, and smooth vodka, this drink is a refreshing spin on the classic Moscow Mule recipe. Serve it in a frosty copper mug for that signature chill and enhanced drinking experience.
Perfect for casual BBQs or hanging out poolside, this watermelon cocktail hits all the right notes. It's light, juicy, and pairs beautifully with the season's fresh flavors.
Jump to:
- Why You Will Love This Watermelon Mule
- Ingredients
- Substitutions and Variations
- How to Make Watermelon Moscow Mule
- More Recipes You Will Love
- How to Serve a Watermelon Mule
- What to Serve with Watermelon Moscow Mule
- Top Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions About Watermelon Moscow Mule
- More Recipes You Will Love
- Watermelon Moscow Mule
Keep the watermelon vibes going with more delicious recipes, using our fresh, homemade juice: Watermelon Mojito, Watermelon Basil Margarita, Watermelon Sangria, Watermelon Punch, Watermelon Sour and Watermelon Vodka Cocktail.
Why You Will Love This Watermelon Mule
- Perfect Summer Drink: Cold, fruity, and easy to sip when it's hot out.
- Quick and Simple: No muddling or complicated steps-just pour, stir, and enjoy.
- Versatile: Great with regular vodka, Smirnoff watermelon vodka, or even mezcal for a smoky Mexican mule taste.
- Fresh Watermelon Juice: Use homemade or pre-made watermelon juice - either way, it's packed with watermelon flavor.
- Crowd-pleaser: A classic cocktail with a fun and fruity twist.
Ingredients
A watermelon Moscow mule cocktail only takes a few simple ingredients to make.
See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.
- Watermelon Juice: We recommend our fresh watermelon juice recipe, but store-bought works well too (it just might be a tad sweeter).
- Vodka: Choose your favorite vodka; we always suggest opting for quality!
- Ginger Beer: Chilled ginger beer makes this extra refreshing. We love using Fever Tree for a bold and spicy flavor.
- Fresh Limes: A splash of fresh lime juice for a citrusy kick.
- Ice: Enough to fill a copper mug about ¾ full (less if using crushed ice as it takes up more area).
For this easy cocktail recipe, you'll want to have on hand Moscow mule glasses, cocktail spoon, spouted measuring cup and shot glass.
Substitutions and Variations
Looking to mix up this cocktail a little differently next time? Here are some ideas to inspire you.
- Vodka: Swap for bourbon to make a Kentucky mule or try tequila for a tropical Mexican mule; alternatively try a watermelon vodka for added fruitiness.
- Ginger Beer Swap: Try subbing with ginger ale for a milder, sweeter sip.
- Watermelon Juice: A store-bought works for an even quicker recipe.
- Add Herbs: A sprig of fresh mint or a few extra mint leaves adds a refreshing herbal note.
- Make it Sweeter: Stir in a little simple syrup if your watermelon isn't super sweet.
How to Make Watermelon Moscow Mule
Look at how simple it was to make this delicious cocktail.
Fill a copper mug about ¾ full of ice. If using crushed ice, fill less.
Pour in watermelon juice and vodka, stir lightly.
Top off with about 5 ounces of ginger beer and a splash of lime juice.
Hint: Choose a high-quality ginger beer for a spicy and strong ginger flavor that balances the sweetness of the watermelon juice.
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How to Serve a Watermelon Mule
This watermelon mule is best served cold, with fresh garnishes and the right glass to keep it chilled and flavorful.
- Stirred: No cocktail shaker needed. A gentle stir in the mug is enough to mix the ingredients without losing the fizziness of the ginger beer.
- Glass: Serve a Moscow mule in a copper mug. Copper helps keep the drink icy cold - making every sip of this refreshing cocktail taste even crisper. If you don't have a copper mug, a highball glass or any insulated tumbler will work in a pinch.
- Garnishes: Add a lime wedge, sprig of fresh mint or a small watermelon slice for extra flair.
What to Serve with Watermelon Moscow Mule
- Watermelon and Feta Salad
- BBQ Baked Beans
- Crispy Fluffy Pancakes
- Strawberry Rhubarb Dump Cake
- Shrimp Tacos or Grilled Fish
- Chips with Guacamole
- Grilled Chicken Skewers
- Vanilla Cake Mix Cookies
- Lemon Blueberry Cookies
Top Tips
Here are some of our most helpful hints to making the best watermelon Moscow mule!
- Stir Lightly: Don't over-mix-just a light swirl to combine watermelon juice and vodka before topping with ginger beer.
- Chill Ingredients: For the crispest, most refreshing drink, chill your vodka, watermelon juice and ginger beer in advance.
- Fresh Juice: Use a fine mesh strainer to remove pulp from your watermelon juice for an extra smooth finish.
- Serving Glass: Use a copper mug or copper cup for that chilled, iconic look and feel. If you do not have one, chill all your ingredients instead!
- Use Crushed Ice: Crush up your ice into smaller chunks to chill quickly and gives a slushy, refreshing texture.
Frequently Asked Questions About Watermelon Moscow Mule
Do you have questions about this watermelon Moscow mule?
Yes! Any serving glass will work, but the copper mug keeps the drink colder and elevates the experience.
Absolutely. Just combine the watermelon juice, vodka, lime juice and ginger beer in a pitcher, then pour over ice in individual servings.
Yes! Blend all ingredients with ice for a frozen watermelon mint Moscow mule.
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Watermelon Moscow Mule
Equipment
- Moscow Mule Glass
- Cocktail Spoon
- Spouted Measuring Cup
- Shot Glass/Jigger
Ingredients
- 4 ounces watermelon juice
- 3 ounces vodka
- 5 ounces ginger beer
- splash lime juice freshly squeezed
Instructions
- Fill a copper mug about ¾ full of ice. If using crushed ice, fill less.
- Pour in watermelon juice and vodka, stir lightly.
- Top off with about 5 ounces of ginger beer and a splash of lime juice.
Notes
-
- Choose a high-quality ginger beer for a spicy and strong ginger flavor that balances the sweetness of the watermelon juice.
- For the crispest, most refreshing drink, chill your vodka, watermelon juice, and ginger beer in advance.
- Don't over-mix-just a light swirl to combine watermelon juice and vodka before topping with ginger beer.
- Use a fine mesh strainer to remove pulp from your watermelon juice for an extra smooth finish.
- Use a copper mug or copper cup for that chilled, iconic look and feel. If you do not have one, chill all your ingredients instead!
- Crush up your ice into smaller chunks to chill quickly and gives a slushy, refreshing texture.
Nutrition
We would be so grateful for you to leave us a rating and review on any recipes you try. If you make any alterations, let us know how they turned out.
I love ginger beer cocktails so this is definitely a new favorite for summertime. The watermelon goes so well with the lime and ginger!
So glad you liked it Courtney! This is a good one for sure.
Love how simple and summery this is. That copper mug just makes it!
So glad you enjoyed it. Definitely!! The mug helps to keep it nice and chilled!
What a flavorful idea of using watermelon juice with its natural sweetness in the Moscow mule. Sean & I loved it, so refreshing.
So happy you both enjoyed it! It is a nice little bite against the watermelon flavor. Thanks for the review.
We really enjoy the ginger kick with the sweet watermelon- such a fun flavor profile!