If you're looking for a Ginger Beer Mocktail recipe that has all the flavors of a traditional Moscow Mule but none of the alcohol, look no further!
This refresher is made with just 3 simple ingredients including spicy ginger beer, fresh lime juice, and sparkling water. At just 35 calories with minimal added sugars, it's the perfect drink for any time of day.
As a dietitian, I enjoy having an alcohol-free option for when I take some time off from drinking alcohol. This Ginger Beer Mocktail was inspired by my Sparkling Apple Crisp Mocktail that I make in the fall. I wanted something I could sip on in the summer. This Moscow Mule Mocktail pairs great with Mexican food like Shrimp Tacos, Elote Pasta Salad, or a Turkey Taco Skillet.
Don’t mistake the simplicity of this recipe for boring. Sometimes the most simple ingredient combinations are the perfect way to satisfy your taste buds! You can make this for yourself or offer it as an option to guests. Serve it in a copper mug for the authentic Moscow Mule experience.
Learn more about the Sober Curious Movement and the Difference between a Cocktail and a Mocktail.
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Video of How to Make Ginger Beer Mocktail
Here's a video of how to make this recipe that I hope is helpful! Don't forget to check out the recipe card below for the full recipe.
Why You'll Love this Recipe
Nutrition - calories from alcoholic drinks are empty calories. This means they don't provide many nutrients. By opting for this mocktail, you can cut back on some of those empty calories. There are several other health benefits of avoiding alcohol, even for a short period of time. Some of these benefits include improvement in sleep, weight loss, and chronic disease prevention.
Taste - If you love Moscow mules, you will seriously not miss the alcohol in this delicious drink. It tastes like a refreshing lime and ginger spritz with a hint of zing from the fresh lime.
Easy - stir together a few ingredients and voila! You have a non-alcoholic drink to enjoy for a special occasion, during the holiday season, or on a warm summer day.
Key Ingredients and Substitutions
*This Ginger Beer Mocktail is made with simple ingredients. Below are some ingredient notes. Be sure to check the printable recipe card at the bottom for exact ingredient measurements and full recipe.
- Light Ginger Beer - bubbly ginger beer has a complex flavor and is the main ingredient. Be sure to use a high quality one because it can be the difference between a delicious mocktail version of a Moscow Mule and one that lacks in flavor. Fever-Tree Refreshingly Light Ginger Beer is one of my favorite ginger beers and you can find it at the local grocery store or here on Amazon. I prefer to use a light ginger beer because regular ginger beer has quite a bit of added sugars whereas the lighter versions don't.
- Fresh Lime Juice - the key here is to use fresh-squeeze lime juice. Lime juice from a bottle just doesn’t taste the same. Lemon juice would work too.
- Sparkling Water or Club Soda -both are zero-calorie carbonated waters. But club soda typically has added minerals and tends to have sodium. I use sparkling water because it's something I keep in my fridge, but either will work! You can use flavored sparkling water like lime if you want to amplify the flavor
How to Make a Ginger Beer Mocktail (Moscow Mule Mocktail)
*Below are the instructions for how to make this easy recipe for a Ginger Beer Mocktail with some visuals that I hope are helpful! Don't forget to check out the recipe card at the bottom for the full recipe.
Step 1 - Pour the ginger beer, squeeze of lime juice, and sparkling water or soda water in a glass over ice and give it a good stir.
Step 2 - Garnish with a slice of lime and fresh mint. Serve in either a copper mug or tall glass for an authentic Moscow mule experience.
Hint: if you love mint, add some muddled fresh mint leaves!
Variations
One of the best things about this Ginger Beer Mocktail is you can customize to your taste! Below are some ideas, but feel free to get creative.
- Double Ginger - want to take the ginger flavor up a notch? Infuse the ginger beer base with fresh ginger root!
- Pineapple Moscow Mule Mocktail - add 2 tablespoon or ¼ cup of pineapple juice for a fruity take on this ginger beer mocktail!
- Cranberry Ginger Beer Mocktail - add 2 tablespoon or ¼ cup of cranberry juice and garnish with fresh cranberries for the holidays!
- Citrus - love citrus drinks? A great mixture is to add 2 tablespoon fresh orange juice, 2 tablespoon fresh grapefruit juice, and 2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice!
- Apple Ginger Mocktail - if you love a crisp apple juice taste, try an Apple Mocktail made with apple cider.
- Sweeter - if you like drinks on the sweeter side, a perfect way to sweeten this up is to add a tablespoon of either simple syrup, honey, or maple syrup! You could also sub ginger beer for diet ginger ale.
- Alcoholic - to turn this mocktail into an alcoholic beverage, add 2 ounces of vodka.
Expert Tips
- Be sure to use a Ginger Beer that you like the flavor of since it is the main ingredient. I prefer Fever Tree brand and use their Refreshingly Lite Ginger Beer.
- Use fresh squeezed lime juice if possible. Bottled lime juice doesn't taste as good.
- Alter your mocktail according to your taste! If you love lime, add more lime juice. If you love ginger, add a bit more ginger beer or some fresh ginger. A good mocktail is all about customizing it based on what you like.
- Serve this Moscow mule mocktail in a copper mug to keep it extra cold.
FAQ
No, despite its name, most commercial ginger beer is either completely alcohol-free or contains trace amounts of alcohol (0.5%). It is typically used as a mixer in cocktails and makes a perfect base for an alcohol-free mocktail, too.
No, ginger beer is fermented sugar and ginger while ginger ale is typically made by mixing ginger syrup with soda water or club soda. Ginger beer has a spicier and bolder flavor and ginger ale is sweeter.
Personally, I love the taste of the Fever Tree brand. They use 3 different gingers to make their ginger beer and the result is a delightfully balanced ginger flavor. Their Refreshingly Lite Ginger Beer is lower in added sugars than their regular ginger beer and the one used in this recipe.
Moscow mules are typically served in a copper mug with ice cubes. Copper insulates the drink and keeps it cool longer. And it’s fun glassware to serve your mocktail in if you are having company or want something special for yourself. You can find some great copper mugs here, but any glassware will do!
I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do! I would love to hear from you! If you made this recipe, please leave me a review below or tag me in a photo or story on Instagram....I LOVE knowing there’s people out there trying out my recipes! 🙂 IG: @mallorythedietitian
📖 Recipe
Ginger Beer Mocktail with Lime (Moscow Mule Mocktail)
Equipment
- Copper Mug optional
Ingredients
- ½ cup light ginger beer I use Fever-Tree Refreshingly Light Ginger Beer for this recipe (120 ml)
- ¼ cup sparkling water or soda water (60 ml)
- 1 lime, juice of about 2 tablespoon (30 ml)
- ice cubes
Optional
- 1 teaspoon fresh mint, muddled
Instructions
- Pour the ginger beer, squeeze of lime juice, and sparkling water or soda water in a glass over ice and give it a good stir.
- Garnish with a slice of lime and fresh mint. Serve in either a copper mug or tall glass for an authentic Moscow mule experience.
- Hint: if you love mint, add some muddled fresh mint leaves!
Video
Notes
- Be sure to use a Ginger Beer that you like the flavor of since it is the main ingredient. I prefer Fever Tree brand and use their Refreshingly Lite Ginger Beer.
- Use fresh squeezed lime juice if possible. Bottled lime juice doesn't taste as good.
- Alter your mocktail according to your taste! If you love lime, add more lime juice. If you love ginger, add a bit more ginger beer or some fresh ginger. A good mocktail is all about customizing it based on what you like.
- Serve this Moscow mule mocktail in a copper mug to keep it extra cold.
- Double Ginger - want to take the ginger flavor up a notch? Infuse the ginger beer base with fresh ginger root!
- Pineapple Ginger Beer Mocktail - add 2 tablespoon or ¼ cup of pineapple juice for a fruity take on this ginger beer mocktail!
- Cranberry Ginger Beer Mocktail - add 2 tablespoon or ¼ cup of cranberry juice and garnish with fresh cranberries for the holidays!
- Citrus - love citrus drinks? A great mixture is to add 2 tablespoon fresh orange juice, 2 tablespoon fresh grapefruit juice, and 2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice!
- Apple Ginger Beer Mocktail - if you love a crisp apple juice taste, try an Apple Mocktail made with apple cider.
- Sweeter - if you like drinks on the sweeter side, a perfect way to sweeten this up is to add a tablespoon of either simple syrup, honey, or maple syrup! You could also sub ginger beer for diet ginger ale.
- Alcoholic - to turn this mocktail into an alcoholic beverage, add 2 ounces of vodka.
Nutrition
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