Blackberry Moscow Mule

By Steve Kilcullen Jump to Recipe

Give yourself and your friends the sweet, bold and tart joys of a Blackberry Moscow Mule.

When the nights get humid, on top of being hot, that’s when some souls get restless. Especially in the city. There’s no sleep to be had, and the night would turn into a non-stop marathon of tossing and turning and twisted blankets. You’ve got the television on, but you’re also not in the mood to watch anything, so the flickering from the screen is only filling your room, and your brain, with needless background noise.

Moments later, almost without thinking about it, you’re fully dressed and walking through the neighborhood. Others seem to be having the same kind of night, restless. Despite the late hour, more folks than usual are sitting on their stoops or front porches, talking softly and trying to stay cool in the muggy and heavy air. Everyone nods and waves… it could almost be a perfect summer afternoon, if it wasn’t the middle of the night.

I started to form a thirst, and wondered if it wasn’t too late for a quick tipple around the corner at my local watering hole. And wouldn’t you know it, the place was still open, and very packed. I smiled and greeted some familiar neighborhood faces as I waded through the crowd and ordered a drink at the bar. I needed something sweet, but strong… tart and bubbly. And the Blackberry Moscow Mule fit the bill, and was just what a restless night required. Vodka, muddled blackberries and lime juice, served over crushed ice and topped with a spiced ginger beer… perfect.

After a few of these potent potions, I was certain a calmer and more relaxing night wouldn’t be too far behind.

What Is The Best Vodka To Use In A Blackberry Moscow Mule?

If you have a favorite vodka that has never let you down in any drink you’ve mixed it with, that’s the vodka you’ll want to use. If you’re open-minded and/or are looking for some suggestions or guidance, I’ll usually point folks in the direction of an unflavored spirit when making any cocktail, allowing the flavors of the other ingredients to help with the balancing act, and not tipping the scales of taste too far in one direction. That said, Belvedere does make a superb blackberry- and lemongrass-infused vodka that I highly recommend for this recipe.

FAQs & Tips

WHAT GLASSWARE AND GARNISH ARE USED?

For the complete Mule experience, you’ll need copper or silver mugs to serve your drinks in, filled with crushed ice, then garnished with a lime wedge and fresh blackberries on top. You can also use a rocks glass, as well.

CAN YOU STORE THE BLACKBERRY MOSCOW MULE?

No. This cocktail is best when mixed and served fresh.

HOW MANY CALORIES ARE IN A BLACKBERRY MOSCOW MULE?

At 171 calories, you might be tempted to have more than a few Mules this evening.

WHAT IF YOU DON’T HAVE A MUDDLER?

The back of a spoon works fine, but if you find yourself having a fair amount of drinks that feature muddled elements, it’s best to invest in a bar muddler. You’ll look impressive to your friends when you whip it out.

Blackberry Moscow Mule Variations

When a cocktail is good, the whole world will know about it. And when a cocktail is great, it not only rises above trends and becomes a classic, it also inspires a variety of offshoots and riffs on the original. The Moscow Mule is no different. Try out a few of these versions over the weekend to see how they stack up to the one that started it all.

• Mezcal Mule – This take on the classic is sweet, smoky and refreshing.
• Gin Mule – Crisp and effervescent, a juniper-forward gin adds a new dimension to this cocktail.
• Irish Mule – Whiskey comes to the Mule party, sitting comfortably at home, too.
• Mexican Mule – Tequila adds an earthy quality to this version of the drink.