Non-alcoholic spirits are consistently delivering excellent ginger beer mocktails, including a non-alcoholic Moscow Mule and its many variations. Each non-alcoholic spirit in the following recipes adds a botanical uniqueness to each of these beverages.
First of all, if you’re new to non-alcoholic spirits and want a quick answer, allow me to make a suggestion: start with Ritual Zero Proof Tequila Alternative. It is perfect in this smoky version of a mule, and the best ginger beer mocktail on this list: Non-Alcoholic Mezcal Mule. As a bonus, it has also performed well in rigorous non-alcoholic margarita testing.
WHY ARE A LOT OF MOCKTAILS WITH GINGER BEER CALLED MULES?
Mules were originally (and still are, at some bars) called “bucks.” Recipes can be found in early cocktail books, and bucks always combine citrus with a ginger ale or ginger beer. Any spirit can make a buck, and the Moscow Mule is just a fancy name for a vodka buck.
There are a couple theories as to the origin of the Moscow Mule, and here is one: Vodka wasn’t popular in the US in the 1940s, and one bartender in L.A. needed to dump some excess vodka and ginger beer from his cellar. He whipped up the Moscow Mule for an actor one night, then it grew in popularity. That bartender eventually travelled around the states promoting Smirnoff vodka and the Moscow Mule, giving it more national acclaim.
The lasting popularity of this particular drink on the west coast may be the reason we all call versions of the Moscow Mule “mules” instead of bucks. Some bartenders still refer to these drinks as bucks, to pay homage to the original creators.
NON-ALCOHOLIC MOSCOW MULE WITH VARIATIONS
These mocktail recipes are all examples of successful alcohol substitutions in mules – a testament not only to the perfect blend of flavors in a mule, but to the botanical flavors in the non-alcoholic spirits that stand up to the flavor punch in ginger beer. After plenty of mocktail taste testing, here are the winners:
MOSCOW MULE MOCKTAIL
Substitute vodka for Hackamore’s energy drink in this non-alcoholic version of a Moscow Mule. Hackamore is mostly neutral with a hint of lime in this beverage. It’s not exactly a non alcoholic vodka, but it might as well be – it blends well, plus, you get an added boost of vitamins and energy.
You’ll Need:
- Hackamore Energy
- Ginger beer
- Lime juice
- Simple syrup
Non-Alcoholic Mezcal Mule
Ritual Zero Proof’s Tequila Alternative is smoky and spicy, making it the perfect non-alcoholic substitute for mezcal in this delicious version of mule mocktail.
You’ll Need:
- Ritual Tequila Alternative
- Ginger beer
- Lime juice
- Agave nectar
- Cucumber
She Bites
Ghia, a bitter non-alcoholic aperitif, makes this mule mocktail unique. The bitterness helps to balance the sweetness of the ginger beer, so the spice really shines. She Bites!
You’ll Need:
- Ghia aperitif
- Ginger beer
- Lime
Read the full review of Ghia with more recipes.
Spice Mule
Seedlip Spice adds interesting new flavors to this version of a mule with cardamom and allspice.
You’ll Need:
- Seedlip Spice 94
- Simple syrup
- Lime juice
- Ginger beer
- Mint
Gin-Gin Mule Mocktail
Ritual Zero-Proof Gin Alternative has strong flavors of pine and peppercorn. With its spicy nature and unique flavor profile, it makes this version of Gin-Gin Mule an exciting alternative beverage.
You’ll Need:
- Ritual Zero-Proof Gin Alternative
- Lime juice
- Simple syrup (1:1)
- Ginger Beer
- Club soda
- Mint
Cucumber Mint Mule
Another refreshing take on a non-alcoholic Moscow Mule using Hackamore, with cucumber and mint to brighten up the flavors.
You’ll Need:
- Hackamore Premium Energy
- Simple syrup (1:1 water & sugar)
- Cucumber
- Mint
- Ginger beer
Non-Alcoholic Kentucky Mule
The aroma of Lyre’s American Malt blended with lime and ginger beer in this non-alcoholic Kentucky mule makes for a convincing substitute. Put on your hat, we’re headed to the Derby!
You’ll Need:
- Lyre’s American Malt
- Lime juice
- Ginger beer
- Rosemary sprig
IS GINGER BEER ALCOHOLIC? WHY IS IT CALLED GINGER BEER IF IT’S NOT ACTUALLY BEER?
Ginger beer is usually non-alcoholic. The few alcoholic brewed beers that exist will distinguish themselves by labeling the bottle “alcoholic ginger beer.” It was originally brewed as a beer, using something called the ginger beer plant (which is not a plant, but a starter culture).
Some brands still brew ginger beer like beer, but either halt the fermentation process and/or dilute the product after it has been brewed. Ginger beer is a soft drink: sweetened, carbonated, and flavored with ginger.
Depending on the product, it can have up to .5% alcohol and still be considered a non-alcoholic beverage, similar to kombucha. Some are 100% alcohol free. It all depends on how it is produced.
BEST GINGER BEER FOR MULES
Deciding which ginger beer to use in specific mocktails is a matter of preference. Here are some premium ginger beers you might choose, a favorite being Fever Tree Refreshingly Light Ginger Beer (link to check price on Amazon). It’s lower in sugar content than its standard version, but still packs the same quality ginger flavor.
Included next to each ginger beer is the amount of sugar per 100ml, as that may be a determining factor in your decision. Bundaberg and Fentiman’s both brew their ginger beers with fermentation, while the rest are carbonated, flavored sodas.
- Bundaberg Ginger Beer (10.6g) + Bundaberg Diet Ginger Beer (1.3g) – fermentation brew
- Fever Tree Ginger Beer (9g) + Fever Tree Refreshingly Light Ginger Beer (4g)
- Fentiman’s Ginger Beer (10.5g) – fermentation brew
- Q Mixers Ginger Beer (9g)
- Main Root Soda Ginger Brew (11.3)
- Reed’s Ginger Beer and 2 more stronger flavors (9.9g) + Reed’s Zero Sugar Ginger Beer (0g)
Can You Make a Mule Without Non-Alcoholic Spirits?
You could definitely make a mule without non-alcoholic spirits: that leaves you with lime and ginger beer. Depending on your choice of ginger beer, that mix can be a bit heavy. At least top it up with a splash of club soda. However, I believe that these spirits each add a unique botanical blend to these non alcoholic ginger beer drinks.
Which Ginger Beer Mocktail Will You Choose?
Which will you choose? Mules will continue to be a go-to for non-alcoholic drinks, especially using non-alcoholic spirits that have bite. Ritual Zero Proof’s Tequila Alternative and Gin Alternative offer a spicy punch that rivals that of the ginger beer, and Seedlip Spice adds interesting flavors to its Spice Mule.
Ghia’s bitterness balances out the sweetness of the ginger beer, creating something really unique. Lyre’s American Malt offers a convincing substitute. While Hackamore doesn’t add much in flavor, it offers a boost of energy and vitamins, something we will hopefully see more of in the future of alternative beverages. What sounds best to you?
If you are interested in more information about a particular non-alcoholic spirit, there are in-depth reviews. In addition, check out the mocktail recipes library for more mocktails made with non-alcoholic spirits and ginger beer, as more are added frequently.
Here are a few of the non-alcoholic spirits used in these ginger beer mocktails. Each image is a link to check the price and purchase on Amazon or the brand website so you can try them for yourself:
Ritual Gin Alternative
Ghia
Ritual Tequila Alternative
Hackamore Energy
