This Cherry Moscow Mule puts a delicious spin on the traditional moscow mule. Fresh cherries, lime juice, vodka and ginger beer are all you need to make this delicious, icy and refreshing cocktail.
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We’ve got just a little over a month of summer left – Let’s make the most of it by celebrating with these Cherry Moscow Mule cocktails!
These are definitely being added to our Labor Day menu this year – They’re the perfect blend of sweet and tangy, icy and refreshing, and the little drops of condensation on those copper mugs just win my heart every time.
If you’ve ever made a Moscow Mule, you know that it’s a super simple recipe. There’s basically no measuring involved, no cocktail shakers needed and no fancy ingredients. And there are so many moscow mule variations!
How do you make a moscow mule cocktail?
- Making a traditional moscow mule cocktail is simple! You just need three ingredients – vodka, ginger beer and lime. Fill a mug (or glass) with ice, add 1 shot of vodka, the juice of ½ a lime and top it off with ginger beer.
How do you measure a shot of vodka?
In the United States, a shot of liquor is generally considered to be 1.5 ounces. Here are three ways to measure a shot of vodka:
- Use a tablespoon. A tablespoon holds about ½ ounce of liquid. So just pour three of those into your moscow mule.
- Use a shot glass. A standard shot glass holds 1.5 ounces. Pour one of those into your moscow mule.
- Learn to free pour. If your bottle of vodka comes with a pour spout on it, or if you have a pour spout at home, a three-count pour should give you about 1.5 ounces. Have fun practicing at home with a shot glass and an empty bottle filled with water. See if you can get really accurate with this. It’s a tip that I learned from my old bartending days and it definitely makes fixing cocktails much easier!
How do you pit cherries?
- My preferred method for pitting cherries is placing them on top of an empty soda bottle and using a chopstick to push the pit through. Here’s a great video on how to pit cherries using this method.
- You can also just smash the cherries with the flat side of a knife and then remove the pit. It’s a bit messy (as seen above) but it works just fine for this recipe where we’re smashing the cherries anyways.
Can you make a moscow mule with ginger ale?
- While it will still taste good, ginger ale will make a much sweeter moscow mule and the ginger flavor will not be so pronounced. I definitely prefer ginger beer in my moscow mules because I like the bite of the ginger flavor and like my cocktails on the not-so-sweet side.
I don’t like vodka? Can I use a different liquor?
You sure can! Here are some different liquors that you can use in a moscow mule cocktail:
- Tequila – This is also known as a Mexican Mule.
- Bourbon – This is also known as a Kentucky Mule.
- Gin – This is also known as a Gin Buck or Gin Gin Mule.
- Rum – This is also known as a Dark ‘n Stormy if it’s make with dark rum.
How to make a Cherry Moscow Mule:
- Squeeze the juice from half a lime into your mug and add a small handful of pitted cherries (about 6). Muddle those together and then fill your mug with ice.
- Then, you’ll add in a shot of vodka.
- Top the whole thing off with some ginger beer.
The two special items you may want for your cherry moscow mule are a muddler and those cute copper mugs I mentioned before.
The muddler is used for mashing the fresh cherries. It helps to release all their yummy flavor. However, if you don’t have one on hand, you can also use the handle of a wooden spoon.
To garnish my cherry moscow mule I added a sprig of mint, lime wheels and a couple fresh cherries, but that’s totally optional.
I hope you make these cherry moscow mules a part of your last days of summer! If you do, be sure to share a picture with me on Instagram. Cheers friends!
If you loved this cherry moscow mule recipe I would appreciate it so much if you would give it a star review! Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished cocktail and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings.
More Moscow Mule recipes:
- Apple Cider Moscow Mule
- Strawberry Moscow Mule
- Blackberry Moscow Mule with Elderflower
- Raspberry Lime Moscow Mule
- Moscow Mule
More → 15+ BEST Cherry Cocktails.
Cherry Moscow Mule
Ingredients
- 1 half lime juiced
- 6 cherries (pitted)
- 2 ounces vodka
- 4-6 ounces ginger beer
- Fresh mint sprigs for garnish
- Lime wheels (for garnish)
Instructions
- Muddle lime juice and cherries in a copper mug. Add vodka and ice to fill and top with ginger beer. Serve garnished with a mint sprig and lime wheel. Enjoy!
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published in 2018. It was updated in 2021 to add new photographs. Enjoy!
This looks AMAZING!! I need one right now. Definitely going to try this 😀 And you’re photos are lovely!
Thanks so much! I hope you enjoy!
Just saw this on your Instagram this morning, and I was really looking forward to seeing the recipe. Looks and sounds amazing! And thanks for that video on how to pit cherries.
Of course Waz – That tip is super helpful!
I love a good Moscow Mule! I love the idea of adding cherries to it.
Thanks so much Carissa!
These look super refreshing and the chopstick trick for pitting cherries is brilliant!
I love that tip so much! It makes pitting cherries so much easier!
Photos are on point. Second, this looks so tasty and perfect for summer! Although I love all your variations on the moscow mule.
Thanks so much Maritha!
I didn’t know the trick with the chopsticks and soda bottle, I’ll have to try that out! I love Moscow Mules as refreshing and like the sound of the variation here that adds cherry both for flavor and or looks pretty!
Thanks so much Pech!
I am definitely going to use that soda bottle method next time! I have a new found love for cherries – I used to not be a huge fan but now I can’t get enough! Can’t wait to try this recipe!
I hope you love it Hillary!
I absolutely love cherries in everything this time of year! They’re only fresh for such a short season, so I eat as many as I can (and sometimes drink them, as you show here!) while I can.
I’m a huge fan of cherries too Catherine – They’re so good here in the Pacific Northwest!
This is tough stuff version but I like it! Add some thin slices of curd and dusting of cream powder. I also add slice of bloomed onion. Ver nice stuffs!
This is it man. Super good