The Moscow Mule cocktail is so universally popular across the whole county (we guarantee that you will see plenty of Moscow Mule mugs on sun-soaked afternoons this summer) that it just seems normal to say that it's a drink that everyone likes. After all, how could anyone in their right mind say no to that delicious, refreshing blend of vodka, ginger beer and lemon? However, we are forgetting that some people don't actually like alcohol and in certain situations (when you are pregnant or on a course of medication are two that spring to mind) you are not allowed to consume alcohol. So, what happens then? Do you have to give up your favorite drink, or, heaven forbid, not be able to try it at all? Don't worry as there's a very simple solution that we're going to introduce you to during this blog post -- the non-alcoholic Moscow Mule cocktail.

Here's What You're Going to Need:

You probably breathed a huge sigh of relief knowing that you will always be able to drink a Moscow Mule (albeit one that does differ slightly from the traditional recipe) under any circumstance, didn't you? Know that we've just made your day, we're going to talk you through what you'll actually need to make your non-alcoholic Moscow Mule, before going on to speak a bit about how to prepare it.

A Moscow Mule Copper Mug (They're just awesome!)

If you ever go out to a bar or a restaurant and you order a Moscow Mule, they will always (if they're any good) bring it to you in one of these awesome copper cups that instantly makes the drink held inside feel "special" (which was the original thinking about using these copper mugs in the first place, as explained in another post that we did, which you can find here). These mugs aren't just purely for show though; they help to keep your drink cooler (important during summer) and somehow the drink just tastes better inside them, although I honestly couldn't tell you why that is. If you do want to do this properly, we have a wide range of copper mugs for sale on our website.

Next Comes...Ginger Beer (1/2 cup)

It might seem ironic that this is one of the main ingredients of a non-alcoholic drink, given that it contains "beer" in its title, but we assure you that this isn't alcoholic. This is what gives the cocktail its "bite" and it shouldn't be confused with ginger ale, which is sweet rather than spicy. We would highly recommend you give the ginger beer produced by The Rocky Mountain Soda Co. a try; it's honestly the best that I've ever had!

Instead of Vodka...(2 oz)

...You should use either sparkling water, tonic or club soda. All of these options work well, but you might find one that you like better than the others. This allows the cocktail to remain nice and light.

Lime Juice (An undervalued ingredient -- 1 oz)

You absolutely cannot afford to miss this ingredient out as it adds the necessary sourness to the drink. You can just use concentrated lime juice if you need to, but honestly, it tastes so much better with freshly squeezed lime juice.

Simple Syrup (1 Tablespoon)

Some people choose not to include simple syrup, presumably because they feel that the sugar in the ginger beer is sufficient. However, we would recommend adding a small measure of simple syrup to get that sweet - sour balance just right.

And Lastly...Ice Cubes (4 is about right)

This drink is definitely best when served cold, so the last "ingredient" to add is the ice cubes that will keep it chilled.

Is There a Magic Way in Which These Ingredients Need to Be Mixed?

In a word, no! The only thing I would say is that you definitely don't want to be using a cocktail shaker to prepare a non-alcoholic Moscow Mule. If you did, you would most probably end up with a mess, since the combination of the ginger beer and the sparkling water/tonic/club soda would cause a lot of carbonation! All you need to do really is place all of the ingredient listed above (the quantities listed are just for a single cocktail) into your cup, before stirring them well. After that, just cut a thin wedge of lime and a sliver of ginger to garnish the cup. And there you have it...Moscow Mule heaven, without even using any alcohol!