Moscow Mule Cocktail: Most Common Mistakes – And How To Fix Them
The moscow mule cocktail is often prepared during summers as a classic drink served at an evening gathering or a sundowner event. This cocktail can be put together by building 30 ml Ciroc Ultra Premium Vodka or any other premium vodka of choice, 2 tablespoons of lime juice and a dash of simple syrup (if required), in a copper mug filled with ice. The mix can then be topped off with 60 ml ginger beer and mint leaves garnish for the finishing touch.
As straightforward as this recipe sounds, a classic moscow mule is in fact deceptively simple to prepare but relatively complex to perfect. A number of different goof ups and mixology faux pas might happen while blending this classic cocktail for a gathering hosted at home – ranging from a flat drink without fizz to a bland drink without flavour.
Read on below to know more about some of the common mistakes that might occur while mixing a classic moscow mule cocktail and some tips to fix them:
Flat Ginger Beer
Fix It – By Adding Ginger Beer Last
One of the most common moscow mule making mistakes involves adding flat ginger beer to the cocktail. This takes away from the signature spritzy, frothy element of the drink which defines its composition and lends it volume. When ginger beer is opened way early on in the cocktail making process, it tends to lose out on its fizz and becomes flat, devoid of its bubbly texture. Fix this common mistake by opening the ginger beer bottle and adding it to the drink at the last minute, just before serving. Keep the ginger beer chilled and unopened to avoid this common occurrence which might spoil the bubbly effect of the drink.
Bottled Lime Juice
Fix It – With Dash Of Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice
While mixing a moscow mule at home, another error could be going for bottled lime juice which has a mellow taste that dulls the overall flavour of the drink. A moscow mule is complete with bright, sharp flavours of ginger and lime – the primary ingredients that build the tasting notes of the cocktail. Mend this error which can turn the drink too tart or subdued by adding 10 ml freshly squeezed lime juice to the cocktail shaker in which the drink is being prepared.
Skipping The Copper Mug
Fix It – By Finding A Copper Container
Another mistake that a novice mixologist might make while serving the moscow mule at a cocktail party at home is swapping out the signature copper mug for any other glassware. However, not only does the copper mug lend the moscow mule its signature aesthetic touch, it is also a container that maintains the chilled effect of the drink to keep it cool for longer. This presentation faux pas can be fixed by sourcing copper mugs for serving the cocktail, both for their functionality and for accentuating the drink’s appearance.
Not Enough Ice
Fix It – By Adding Large Ice Cubes
A moscow mule cocktail is a drink often prepared for a garden party or sundowner in summers. It is a drink which is best served chilled, meaning it is served with the addition of plenty of ice cubes. When the drink contains a less proportion of ice, its flavours become very subtle and slightly bland, and the cocktail loses out on its classic sharp character. Fix this by adding large ice cubes which not only chill the drink but also melt very slowly, highlighting the most prominent flavours of ginger and lime juice in the cocktail blend.
Forgetting The Garnish
Fix It – By Garnishing With A Lime Wedge Or Mint Leaves
As a mixology novice, it can be quite possible to miss out on essential elements in drinks such as garnishes, which lift up the overall effect of the blends. Forgetting the garnish in a moscow mule cocktail affects both its flavour and appearance. Fresh mint leaves often used as a garnish on top of a moscow mule build into the sharp and zingy flavours of ginger beer and cut through the citrusy properties of lime juice to deliver a well-balanced mix. While forgetting this garnish is a common mistake, it is also easily fixable by adding fresh mint leaves along with a lime wedge on top of the drink when it is served chilled in a copper mug.
Drink Responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.
