This Virgin Moscow mule recipe was chosen as a result of experimentation with non-alcoholic spirits and ginger beer. For more information and additional mule mocktails, read Ginger Beer Mocktails with Quality Non-Alcoholic Spirits.

Virgin Moscow Mule
Ingredients
- 2 oz Hackamore Premium Energy
- 6 oz ginger beer*
- .25 oz lime juice
- lime wheel + mint sprig (for garnish)
Equipment
Instructions
- Pour Hackamore over ice into a chilled copper mug.
- Add lime juice and top with ginger beer.
- Garnish with a lime wheel and mint sprig.
Notes
- *used Fever Tree Refreshing Light Ginger Beer in this recipe and nutrition summary
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Read full disclaimer.Virgin Moscow Mule Ingredients
Ginger Beer vs Ginger Ale
Ginger beer is spicy, fizzy, rich, and sweet. It’s the preferred mixer for a Virgin Moscow Mule. Ginger ale isn’t as rich or spicy as ginger beer, but is more carbonated – a soft drink that’s ginger flavored.
The flavors vary from brand to brand, but overall the spiciness of a ginger beer is what you want in your moscow mule mocktail.
Lime Juice
Fresh lime juice is the only kind of lime juice you want to use in your moscow mules. Plus, you’ll need lime wedges for garnish anyway.
How to Make Simple Syrup
There are many types of simple syrups you can make, but a moscow mule typically uses syrup made from equal parts white sugar and water.
A quick way to make simple syrup is to warm up water in a glass measuring cup in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Then, add sugar to the measuring up until the water line reaches double the volume. then stir. Let it cool in the refrigerator before using.
You can store extra simple syrup in the refrigerator in a simple syrup bottle. See the best options in this review.
Optionally, you could step up your syrup game and make a mint simple syrup for this recipe.
Garnish
Fresh mint leaves and lime wedges are the typical garnish for a moscow mule mocktail. If you don’t have mint, you can simply use a lime wedge, but growing mint in a small pot easy to keep around for more mocktail making!
What is Hackamore?
Hackamore is an energy and vitamin beverage used as an alternative for vodka in this virgin moscow mule recipe. It has a slightly tart lime flavor, but is otherwise a fairly neutral base for building non-alcoholic substitute vodka cocktails. See the full review with recipes tested.
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Mule Mocktail Variations
A virgin Moscow mule is made with a vodka substitute, but other moscow mule mocktails can be made by changing out the base non-alcoholic spirit.
Check out these additional mule mocktail recipes:
- Kentucky Mule – made with non-alcoholic whiskey
- Mezcal Mule – made with non-alcoholic tequila
- Lighten it up with Club Soda – if you want to make your mule a little lighter, add some club soda or sparkling water.
Moscow Mule Mocktail FAQ
Why non-alcoholic drinks?
Some people don’t like the taste of alcohol, some don’t drink it for health or religious reasons, but still want a festive beverage. Maybe you just want to cut back on alcohol for a drink or a day, there’s an option out there for you.
Why use copper mugs for a Virgin Moscow Mule?
The reason copper mugs are used for moscow mule cocktails is highly debated. Copper is highly reactive, and the ingredients in a moscow mule react with the copper to produce an icy beverage.
What is a non-alcoholic ginger beer?
Finding a non-alcoholic ginger beer is not hard because ginger beer does not have alcohol.
Which brand has a spicy ginger beer?
Reed’s makes a Jamaican style “extra” version with more ginger, making it spicier than your average ginger beer. Check the price for Reed’s Extra Ginger Brew on Amazon.